An acclaimed and prolific filmmaker, Hong is known for his slow-paced films about love affairs and everyday dilemmas in contemporary South Korea.

[12] In June 2018, Hong was invited to become a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

[13] Hong's films often treat themes of domestic realism, with many of the scenes set on residential streets, cafes, hotels, schools, and in the stairwells of apartment buildings.

The main characters are often movie directors or actors, and scenes typically consist of a single shot, often beginning and ending with a camera zoom.

[15] In 2016, Hong was reported to be having an extramarital affair with actress Kim Min-hee, who appeared in his 2015 film Right Now, Wrong Then.