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“The Final Semester” was named Best Picture at the 45th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards, announced on November 6. / Source: Jageopjang Bom

The Final Semester has been selected as Best Picture at the 45th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards, the association announced on November 6.

The film also earned Best Director honors for Lee Ran-hee, making it a double winner. A poignant coming-of-age drama, The Final Semester portrays the anxieties and aspirations of a high school senior working at a factory as part of field training.

The Best Director prize was shared with Jang Byung-gi for When Summer Passes, while Park Jung-min (Face) and Jang Sun (Hong-i) won Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.

The FIPRESCI Korea Award (International Federation of Film Critics, Korean Branch) went to No Other Choice in the domestic film category and K-pop Demon Hunters (directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans) in the international category.

This year’s Film Critics Top 10 includes Spring Night, Seommang (Hope), Seagulls at the Morning Sea, No Other Choice, Face, When Summer Passes, The Match, Hong-i, The Final Semester, and 3670.

The association stated that the awards considered films released between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025, but due to financial and logistical constraints, no ceremony will be held this year.