The film 'The Match,' starring Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in, is set to be unveiled today (19th) at a press screening.
'The Match' tells the story of Cho Hun-hyun (played by Lee Byung-hun), a legendary Go player in South Korea, who challenges his protege Lee Chang-ho (played by Yoo Ah-in) after losing to him, driven by his innate competitive spirit. Directed by Kim Hyung-joo, known for 'The Sheriff in Town,' this is his second directorial work and marks the first collaboration between Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in.
The casting of Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in as two iconic Go legends in South Korea generated buzz from the start. However, attention soon shifted due to Yoo Ah-in's involvement in a drug scandal, which also affected the film. Although filming wrapped up in 2020, the release was repeatedly postponed due to the 'Yoo Ah-in risk.'
Initially planned for a global release on Netflix, the film eventually secured a theatrical release through Ace Maker Movie Works and BY4M Studio, nearly four years after wrapping up production.
With the theatrical release, promotional activities have begun. However, Yoo Ah-in's face is notably absent from promotional materials like posters and trailers, leading to speculation that his scenes might be heavily edited in the final cut.
Contrary to these predictions, the film remains unchanged. The production team chose not to feature Yoo Ah-in in promotional materials to avoid negative preconceptions but did not edit the main film. The narrative structure, with the two characters making up 80% of the story, made editing impractical as well.
Director Kim Hyung-joo explained at a production briefing, "While the trailer is exposed to a wide audience, given the structure of the main story and the original intent behind the film, re-editing the completed movie didn't seem to make sense for maintaining the story's integrity."
He added, "It was structurally problematic to proceed without having Lee Chang-ho, played by Yoo Ah-in, in it. Once the film is released, however, I believe audiences will understand this aspect."
Reports suggest that 'The Match' is a high-quality production, praised for the impeccable performances of the two lead actors and its engaging storyline.
Ultimately, the final judgment lies with the audience. 'The Match' aims to prove itself through its artistry. The film will be available in theaters on the 26th.
ebada@sbs.co.kr
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)