What Manok Is About
Manok centers on a middle-aged lesbian bar owner who's spent decades running her establishment in Seoul. When her mother dies, she closes the bar and returns to Iban-ri, her conservative rural hometown — a place she'd left behind years ago. What unfolds isn't a quiet homecoming. Instead, she finds herself at odds with the town's entrenched prejudice and her ex-husband, who now serves as the local chief. The tension builds until she makes a bold decision: she'll run against him in a small-town election. It's part political satire, part queer family drama, part romance. The premise alone is wild — but what's striking is how the film seems to take it seriously.
What We Know So Far
According to the Seoul Independent Film Festival, Manok is written and directed by Lee Yu-jin and stars Yang Mal-bok in the lead role. The supporting cast includes Sung Jae-yun and Park Wan-kyu, with additional credited performers like Kim Jung-young and Sak-ja rounding out the ensemble. The film clocks in at 109 minutes and is classified as both comedy and drama — a genre blend that doesn't always land, but when it does, it's memorable.
The film had its world premiere at BFI Flare: London LGBTQIA+ Film Festival in March 2025, and has since circulated through major festival circuits including Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, Queer Screen Film Fest in Australia, and Toronto Reel Asian International Film Festival. It's the kind of international festival run that signals serious distribution ambitions down the line.
Why It's Anticipated
There's something refreshing about a queer comedy that doesn't center on coming-out trauma or straight-world acceptance. What's being described as "the K-queer comedy you've never seen before" leans into political satire and small-town absurdity instead — territories that Korean cinema has mined brilliantly in films like Parasite and The Handmaiden. The fact that it's getting festival play across continents suggests programmers see something worth championing. Look — a film about a lesbian running for mayor in a conservative town could be preachy or heavy-handed. But the festival circuit doesn't usually embrace those kinds of projects unless there's real craft underneath.
Yang Mal-bok's casting as Manok suggests a performance that's grounded and funny at once, which is exactly what this kind of character needs. You can't play a bar owner returning to her hometown with either pure comedy or pure drama; it's the friction between them that matters.
Release and Where to Watch
Manok is expected to release in 2026, though a specific date hasn't been announced yet. The film is not yet available to watch anywhere — it's still in the festival and distribution phase. Once theatrical or streaming rights are confirmed, Movie OTT will track availability across platforms. For now, check back here as we learn more about where and when you'll be able to see it.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Manok releasing?
Manok is expected to release in 2026, but an exact date hasn't been announced. Festival screenings are ongoing, and wider distribution details should emerge as we get closer to 2026.
Is Manok out yet?
No. The film had its world premiere at BFI Flare in March 2025 and continues to screen at film festivals internationally, but it isn't available for general viewing yet.
Where will I be able to watch Manok?
Streaming and theatrical availability haven't been confirmed yet. Movie OTT will update this page as soon as distribution rights are announced, so check back for the latest information.
Who's in Manok?
The film stars Yang Mal-bok in the lead role, with supporting performances by Sung Jae-yun and Park Wan-kyu. It's written and directed by Lee Yu-jin.
What genre is Manok?
Manok is a comedy-drama that blends political satire with queer family dynamics and romance. It's not a straight dramedy — there's genuine comedic bite alongside the emotional stakes.
What to Look Forward To
If you're tired of queer narratives that feel like they're checking boxes, Manok seems to be doing something different. A film about a lesbian bar owner running for mayor in rural South Korea — that's not a premise you see every day, and the fact that it's getting international festival traction suggests Lee Yu-jin has figured out how to balance humor, politics, and heart without letting any one element overwhelm the others. Keep this one on your radar as we move through 2026.
