Lee Sung-min on First Collaboration with Director Park Chan-wook: 'His Directing is Like a Razor Blade'

Actor Lee Sung-min, who stars in the film 'No Other Choice' (literal title), has shared his thoughts on his first experience working with acclaimed director Park Chan-wook.

In a recent interview, Lee Sung-min discussed his role as Gu Beom-mo, a rival for re-employment for the protagonist Man-su (played by Lee Byung-hun) in Park Chan-wook's new film. He described his collaboration with the director by saying, "I realized my imagination was insufficient." He admitted that while he initially expected a more conventional narrative structure from the script, he was taken aback by the director's unique storytelling approach.

"The director's way of telling a story feels different. In typical narratives, you get immersed in the protagonist, but this film, for some reason, makes you uncomfortable and uses humor to distract you from focusing. This allows you to observe the events unfolding within it with a cool and clear mind," Lee explained. 'No Other Choice' depicts the story of a company employee who, feeling satisfied with his life, faces sudden dismissal and embarks on a personal war to protect his family and home while seeking re-employment.

Lee stated that director Park Chan-wook was the primary reason for his decision to join the project. "I had always wanted to work with him someday. I thought, 'It's finally my turn.'" He also expressed concerns about whether he could match the director's imagination but was impressed by the meticulous and sharp direction on set. "If I prepared something, he would refine it overall. It might not be a major change, but sometimes his directions keenly pinpoint what I had overlooked, which is astonishing," he said, revealing his deep trust in the director.

Lee also candidly spoke about the pressure of revealing his weaknesses to the director and his worries about making mistakes, hinting at the mix of tension and excitement that comes with working with a master filmmaker.

/monamie@osen.co.kr

Lee Sung-min collaborated with director Park Chan-wook for the first time in the 2024 film 'No Other Choice'. He played the role of Gu Beom-mo, a rival in the job market for the protagonist Man-su (Lee Byung-hun), leaving a strong impression. Throughout his acting career, Lee Sung-min has showcased a wide acting spectrum by exploring various genres.