There is no choice but to have a destiny-like relationship with Lee Byung-hun, and Park Chan-wook

By Soyoon, Ahn

Sep 19, 2025

There is no choice but to have a destiny-like relationship with Lee Byung-hun, and Park Chan-wook



Actor Lee Byung-hun recalled his first encounter with director Park Chan-wook ahead of the release of the movie 'I Can't Help It'.

The 30th Busan International Film Festival Actors House was held at the Shinhan Card Hall at Dongseo University Sohyang Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 19th. Actor Lee Byung-hun attended the scene and talked with the audience in various ways.

Actors House, which was newly established in 2021, is a signature program unique to the Busan International Film Festival where contemporary actors with acting skills and star quality tell honest and in-depth stories about their performances and works. This year, Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Ninomiya Kazunari and Kim Yoo-jung were listed in the lineup.




There is no choice but to have a destiny-like relationship with Lee Byung-hun, and Park Chan-wook
Lee Byung-hun poses on the red carpet at the opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival held at the Busan Cinema Center on the 17th. Busan = Reporter's book @sportschosun.com/2025.09.17/
Director Park Chan-wook's new film 'I can't help it' opened this year's Busan International Film Festival with a spectacular opening. In addition, he also served as the sole host of the opening ceremony, showing his seasoned hosting skills. In particular, director Park Chan-wook once again collaborated with the director 'JSA' and 'Three, Monster' to raise the audience's expectations. Regarding the reason why he participated in the first work 'JSA' with director Park, he said, `My father died and I was the only one who made money at home, so I worked for the public interest for six months. Now the system is gone, and I was the last generation"Just before the convocation, he received the script of "Joint Security Area JSA" and conveyed his intention to do it immediately and canceled the convocation. "

Recalling his first meeting with director Park, it was the day when I finished two movies and the third movie 'Their Own World' technology preview took place. I was watching a movie for a long time, and suddenly the director came in and said that a director was waiting for me. As soon as the movie was over, I went out, and one of the ponytail hairstyles was standing with a scenario envelope. He delivered the envelope saying, `I want to work with actor Lee Byung-hun, so please take a good look at it.' It's my personal preference, but I don't really like ponytail hairstyles (laughs). The impression wasn't very good. I don't think I'm going to work with himI had a hunch that ' But that was director Park who stopped watching a movie."

At that time, a new director no longer received investment in Chungmuro even if one movie went wrong. If more than two works do not go well, actors will not be invited. It was a miracle that we both did our next work because there was a strong perception that "If that actor comes, we will also fail." I don't know what's going to happen when a ruined director and a ruined actor meet, but together?The work that I wanted to shoot while saying "X?" was 'JSA' in the Joint Security Area.'




Lee Byung-hun said, `I can't help itHe also confessed what he felt while working with director Park for the first time in a long time. He said "There are a lot of new things I learn when I work with the director. There were producers who told me to direct, and director Park also said that. But when I work with the director, that kind of mind goes away. He is so detailed when working on it that he can do something unimaginable. They incorporate good ideas that are creative and come to mind every moment, and they contain not only laughter but also meaning one by one. It's amazing that you keep thinking constantly."

There is no choice but to have a destiny-like relationship with Lee Byung-hun, and Park Chan-wook
The opening film of the 30th Busan International Film Festival held at the Jung Theater of the Busan Cinema Center on the 17th can't be helpedFrom the left, director Park Chan-wook, Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Yeom Hye-ran, and Lee Sung-min have photo time. Busan = Reporter's book @sportschosun.com/2025.09.17/
Lee Byung-hun has received a lot of attention around the world over the past year. He was a frontman in the Netflix original series 'Squid Game' Season 2 and 3, and created a sensation by playing the role of the devil in the animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters'.

Lee Byung-hun says "Squid Game" and "K-Pop Demon Hunters" is probably the same for everyone who participated in the work, not just me. The producers don't know. I never thought that the two works would go beyond popularity and cause any phenomenon. If you talk to me about overseas projects, I'm still not used to it. It may sound like a lie, but after being very nervous and contemplating for a long period of time, you choose with a mindset of 'Era, I don't know' at the end. 'It's better to regret it than not to regret it. What's your life like?' It's my heart to do it."




There is no choice but to have a destiny-like relationship with Lee Byung-hun, and Park Chan-wook


Finally, in response to a fan's question of "Did you eat stir-fried spicy pork even after coming to Busan?"I spent three days in Busan, and I ate stir-fried spicy pork twice." I didn't know that so many people would know that I like stir-fried spicy pork. It's a food you can't give up on. In the past, when I went to the Cannes Film Festival with the 'Emergency Declaration', I visited a Korean restaurant on my way to a hotel from the airport and ate stir-fried spicy pork. I'm a Korean food fan, so when I'm in a foreign country, I think more about it,' he said, painting the audience with a sea of laughter.

Meanwhile, the 30th Busan International Film Festival will be held for 10 days from the 17th to the 26th around the Film Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan.





antahn22@sportschosun.com