Lee Sung-min expressed his pride in the international response to the film 'No Other Choice' and renowned director Park Chan-wook.
On the 25th, actor Lee Sung-min, who stars in the film 'No Other Choice,' was interviewed at a cafe in Sogyeok-dong, Seoul.
'No Other Choice' tells the story of Mansoo, who, after working for 25 years at a paper company, is suddenly laid off and struggles to find reemployment. Lee Sung-min plays the role of Goo Beom-mo, a veteran in the paper industry desperate to find a new job.
Having participated in numerous official events and press conferences before the film's official release, including the Venice International Film Festival and the Busan International Film Festival, Lee Sung-min remarked, "Usually, there's just a production report and a press screening, but this film had many events leading up to its release. We had a production report, went to Venice, and then to Busan. Although I didn't go, the director and actor Lee Byung-hun went to Toronto."
'No Other Choice' was officially invited to compete at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival. Lee Sung-min shared, "The expressions of foreign journalists, local audiences, and film industry professionals towards the director were impressive. The director was so popular that he could hardly walk. In Korea, we vaguely say 'Park Chan-wook, Park Chan-wook,' but experiencing the international reaction was astonishing. It made me feel patriotic," he added, "I told Hye-ran that I was proud after seeing the journalists' admiration for the director."
When asked if he remembered any questions from foreign media, he replied, "They asked why I chose this project. Just before, the director talked about the budget, so I said, 'I didn't do this for the money. I did it because of Director Park Chan-wook.'" He continued, "People overseas don't just call him 'director'; they truly refer to him as a 'maestro.'"
As K-culture gains immense popularity overseas, Lee Sung-min also felt the impact. He noted, "It was fascinating that many international industry professionals recognized our actors. Of course, they recognized Byung-hun the most, and Hye-ran too. They even asked for autographs. It felt like we've finally reached this level." When asked if he was recognized, he laughed and said, "They recognized me too." He added, "People called my name, asked for autographs, or requested photos. Some even brought posters of my previous works for me to sign."
Reporter Kim Ji-won, TenAsia bella@tenasia.co.kr