Take Care of My Cat Returns to Theaters for 25th Anniversary

Director Jeong Jae-eun’s 2001 coming-of-age drama Take Care of My Cat will return to North American theaters this summer, with a 25th-anniversary restoration distributed by Kani Releasing. The film, which follows five young women navigating the social and economic pressures of post-graduation life in Incheon, South Korea, is scheduled to open at Metrograph in New York City on July 18, 2025.

What is the significance of the Take Care of My Cat re-release?

The film is widely regarded as a formative work in contemporary South Korean cinema, though it struggled to find a wide audience during its initial 2001 release. According to IndieWire, the movie earned a dedicated following that launched a grassroots “Save the Cat” movement in an attempt to extend its theatrical run. For director Jeong, the re-release serves as a testament to the film’s enduring relevance. “I wanted to show that these kinds of women exist in the world, and I hadn’t seen it before on film,” Jeong stated in a recent press release regarding the distribution deal.

How does the film depict the turn of the millennium?

Set in the industrial port city of Incheon, the narrative captures a specific moment in South Korean history marked by rapid globalization and shifting class dynamics. The story focuses on five friends whose bonds begin to fray as they transition from the structured environment of school into a workforce that offers unequal opportunities. Unlike many coming-of-age films of the era, Jeong’s debut balances the “joys of girlhood” with the harsh realities of economic instability. The film highlights the physical and social distance between the protagonists, particularly through the characters of Bi-ryu and Ohn-jo, who reside in a segregated community, emphasizing the class stratification that defined the period.

Who stars in Take Care of My Cat?

The film features an ensemble cast that includes several performers who later became fixtures of international cinema:

• Bae Doona: Known for her subsequent collaborations with directors Bong Joon-ho, Park Chan-wook, and Hirokazu Koreeda, as well as her work with the Wachowskis.
• Lee Yo-won: Plays the brokerage firm employee Hae-joo.
• Ok Ji-young: Portrays the wanderlust-stricken artist Ji-young.
• Lee Eun-ju: Plays the twins Bi-ryu and Ohn-jo.

Why is this film considered a cult classic?

While the film was a “sleeper hit” at the time of its original release, it has remained difficult to access for U.S. audiences. It has seen limited screenings in the country since its quiet stateside debut in 2002. The upcoming Kani Releasing restoration marks a rare opportunity for domestic viewers to see the work on the big screen. The film’s reputation has been bolstered by its stylistic departure from the mainstream trends of the early 2000s, drawing comparisons to the patient, observant storytelling style of director Edward Yang. By focusing on the internal lives of young women rather than traditional melodramatic beats, the film established a template for later independent Korean dramas exploring urban alienation.

Key Takeaways

• Distributor: Kani Releasing is handling the 25th-anniversary restoration and North American re-release.
• Release Date: The film begins its theatrical run at Metrograph on July 18, 2025.
• Director: The project marks an early career milestone for writer/director Jeong Jae-eun.
• Availability: The film has been largely absent from U.S. theaters for over two decades, following a brief release in 2002.