"No Other Choice", a Competition title at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and the opening film of the 30th Busan International Film Festival, has dropped a new cast featurette.
The film follows Yoo Man-su (Lee Byung-hun), an office worker who thought he had life figured out until he’s abruptly laid off. With a wife and two kids to protect―and the home he worked so hard to buy on the line―he wages his own war to claw his way back. In the featurette, Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, and Cha Seung-won share what defines their characters and reflect on collaborating with director Park Chan-wook.
“Yoo Man-su is the kind of father you see everywhere,” says Lee. “My challenge was making those extreme situations feel believable.” His comments raise the intrigue around a man pushed to his breaking point.
Describing Mi-ri, Son Ye-jin says, “She’s deeply optimistic and never loses her smile,” hinting at a nuanced warmth she brings to the role.
“Seon-chul is a man wrestling with a lot of inner conflict over what he loves―that balance was everything,” notes Park Hee-soon. Of Beom-mo, Lee Sung-min adds, “He’s spent his entire life at a paper mill. Conveying an ordinary man through Park Chan-wook’s lens came with real pressure,” teasing layered performances that ground the story.
Yeom Hye-ran, who plays Ara, says, “I’ve never taken on a character like this―she’s free-spirited and led by instinct.” As Sijo, Cha Seung-won calls his role “a regular dad who gives everything to his work,” promising a colorful ensemble chemistry.
Lee adds, “We were constantly bouncing fresh ideas off each other on set,” praising his creative rhythm with Park Chan-wook.
With a powerhouse cast, propulsive drama, striking mise-en-scene, assured direction, and a streak of black comedy, Park Chan-wook’s "No Other Choice" hits theaters Sept. 24.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)