Kwon Jong-gwan () is a South Korean filmmaker. He is known for directing the feature films S Diary (2004), Sad Movie (2005), and Proof of Innocence (2016).
Career Kwon Jong-gwan graduated from Kyung Hee University with a degree in Korean Language and Literature. He received recognition for his debut short films October 28, 1979 and A Sunny Sunday (1999), which were selected for various film festivals. The short film won the Best Film award in the Wide Angel section at the Busan International Film Festival and the 37th Grand Bell Award for Short Film.
In 2001, He achieved a milestone by winning the Grand Bell Award for Short Film for two consecutive years with his subsequent short film Uncle 'Bar' At Barbershop at the 38th Grand Bell Award. This short was also invited to the San Diego Asian Film Festival.
His feature-length debut was S Diary, starring Kim Sun-a and Kim Soo-ro. This was followed by another feature film, Sad Movie (2005), which tells the heartbreaking breakup stories of three couples who are in love but are forced to part ways. The film featured a star-studded cast including Jung Woo-sung, Im Soo-jung, Yum Jung-ah, Yeo Jin-goo, Cha Tae-hyun, Shin Min-a, and Lee Ki-woo.
In 2009, Kwon joined "Short! Short! Short!", a Korean short film production project that started in 2007. To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the Jeonju International Film Festival released an omnibus digital feature film comprising 10 short films, with the theme of "money,":each around 10 minutes in length. Titled Show Me the Money. Kwon's short film is called "Coin Boy."
In 2015, he returned with Proof of Innocence as both director and screenwriter. Originally titled Letter from Prison, the film featured a cast of seasoned actors such as Kim Myung-min, Kim Young-ae, Sung Dong-il, and Kim Sang-ho, along with Park Hyuk-kwon, Shin Goo, Lee Moon-sik, and Kim Roi-ha, known as the "Avengers of the Middle-Aged".
Filmography Film YearTitleRole NoteEnglishKorean1997 베이비 세일Production team1998 Whispering Corridors 여고괴담1999 October 28, 1979, A Sunny Sunday 1979년 10월 28일 일요일 맑음 Director, Screenwriter Short film, directorial debut2000 이발소 이씨 Director, Screenwriter Short film 2004S DiaryS 다이어리Director, Screenwriter2005Sad Movie새드무비Director, Screenwriter2009 Show Me the Moneysegment: Coin Boy 동전 모으는 소년 — 황금시대 Director, Screenwriter Anthology of Short film from 10 Directors 2016 특별수사: 사형수의 편지 Director
Television
YearTitleRole NoteEnglishKorean 2025 The Price of Confession 자백의 대가Screenwriter Netflix original series 2027
Awards and nominations + Year presented, name of the award ceremony, category, nominated work, and the result of the nomination Year Award Category Nominated Work Result Baeksang Arts Awards 2026 Best Screenplay – Television The Price of Confession Busan International Film Festival 1999 Wide Angle Category Best Film Award October 28, 1979, A Sunny Sunday Jeju Shinyoung Film Festival 1999 Excellence Award Global OTT Awards 2026 Best Writer The Price of Confession Grand Bell Awards 2000 Best Short Film October 28, 1979, A Sunny Sunday 2001 Best Short Film 2nd Korea Film Festival 2001 Excellence Award
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