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Project Y

Name: Project Y
Director: Lee Hwan
Released: 2026
Duration: 109 min

Representation Score

2.9/10

Limited

2026

Director

Lee Hwan

Runtime

109 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

New Showbiz Analysis

Project Y earns its strongest marks for gender representation. Two women lead the heist, make all major decisions, and face the fallout without male rescue. Their friendship is the emotional core, and the plot never sidelines them for a male savior. Culturally, the film uses its Gangnam setting to critique wealth and power. The protagonists steal from corrupt sources to survive, framing the system as rigged. Traditional institutions are absent, keeping the focus on personal resistance. The film’s diversity gaps are clear. The cast is entirely Korean, fitting the setting but excluding other ethnicities. No LGBTQ+ characters or relationships appear, and disability is not represented at all.

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Category Breakdown

Does Project Y have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

No LGBTQ+ characters or same-sex romance appear. The narrative centers on a close female friendship and criminal partnership, with no queer identities or relationships depicted.

How does Project Y portray gender?

Excellent

Two women lead the heist and drive the entire plot. They make key decisions, execute the plan, and face consequences without male rescue.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Project Y?

Minimal

The cast is entirely Korean, reflecting the Seoul setting. No characters of other racial or ethnic backgrounds appear in the story.

How does Project Y represent religion and culture?

Good

The film critiques wealth and power by showing protagonists stealing from corrupt sources to survive. Traditional institutions are absent; the focus is on personal survival against a rigged system.

Does Project Y include disability representation?

Minimal

No characters with physical or mental disabilities appear. The story does not address disability in any way.

Present on Screen

Two women lead the plot and make all major decisions.
The story centers on female friendship and mutual support.
Wealth and power are portrayed as corrupt and exploitative.

Limited or Absent

No racial or ethnic diversity in the cast.
No LGBTQ+ characters or relationships are present.
No characters with disabilities are included.

Official Synopsis

Mi-sun and Do-kyung might be used to struggling in the most dangerous part of Seoul's Gangnam district, but that doesn't mean they've settled into it. With no one but each other to rely on, the two friends grind away to save the money needed to leave their dangerous lifestyles behind. But just as "retirement" comes within reach, the world betrays them, shattering their hopes. On the edge of a dead end, they discover a hidden fortune of dirty cash and gold in Gangnam – and place all their bets on one final high-stakes gamble of a lifetime.

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