25th New York Asian Film Festival

July 10-26, 2026

Photo:

Special Screening

BTS: The Return

After completing South Korea's mandatory military service, BTS reunites in Los Angeles to record their fifth album, Arirang, as well as prepare for their comeback performance at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul. The documentary underscores the group's individual struggles and collaborative efforts to rediscover their identity as a group after pursuing solo projects during their hiatus.

Director: Bao Nguyen
Languages: English, Korean with English Subtitles
2026; 91 min.; DCP
Countries: USA, South Korea

SCHEDULE:

Friday July 24, 4:00pm
SVA Theatre

Free Screening. RSVP Required. Intro & Q&A with director Bao Nguyen

Bao Nguyen

Bao Nguyen is an award-winning Vietnamese American filmmaker whose work has premiered at Sundance, Cannes, Berlinale, Toronto, and Tribeca. He directed the acclaimed documentaries The Greatest Night in Pop, BTS: The Return, The Stringer, and Be Water. As a producer, his credits include The Dream Is a Snail, the first Vietnamese film selected to compete for the Short Film Palme d’Or at Cannes, and Ròm, winner of the New Currents Award at the Busan International Film Festival. Nguyen is a PGA Award winner, BAFTA US Breakthrough recipient, and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.