An object-based system and method of directing visual attention by a subliminal cue is disclosed. An object detector detects an object in an input image, thereby resulting in a cued object served as an object-based subliminal cue. An enhancement unit enhances saliency of the cued object in the input image by respectively and differently adjusting image characteristic of the cued object and an area other than the cued object, thereby generating a cue image. A mixer selects between the cue image and the input image, thereby resulting in a sequence of output images composed of the input images and the cue images, each of which is interposed between the adjacent input images.