Lee Byung-hun and Park Chan-wook Reunite After 25 Years for "Concrete Utopia" – A Tragic Black Comedy
Actor Lee Byung-hun and director Park Chan-wook have reunited after 25 years for the film "Concrete Utopia." The movie masterfully blends dark humor with tragedy, creating a narrative that is undeniably funny yet deeply sorrowful and bizarre. Director Park's mandate was simple: "The funnier, the better," a direction Lee Byung-hun, known for his comedic prowess, embraced wholeheartedly.
"Concrete Utopia" tells the story of Man-su (played by Lee Byung-hun), who, after being laid off from a paper company where he worked for 25 years, prepares for war to find new employment. The film is based on Donald E. Westlake's novel "The Ax."
Before its domestic release, "Concrete Utopia" was screened at the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, captivating global audiences. As is often the case with well-crafted films, "Concrete Utopia" transcends borders and demographics, eliciting both laughter and tears. Lee Byung-hun shared his thoughts: "Even within Korea, reactions vary by theater. The laughter points are different depending on where you watch it. We don't understand why it bursts out in unexpected places, but perhaps it's due to Man-su's predicament? People likely didn't expect him to go to such lengths."
Man-su's predicament is the core of the film. Facing a 'dog-eat-dog' scenario after 25 years of dedicated service, Man-su eliminates his rivals one by one in his desperate quest for re-employment. While extreme, it is presented as an 'unavoidable' choice for him. Lee Byung-hun stated, "As I had to portray Man-su, I had no choice but to support him." He empathized with the character's extreme measures. After dedicating his life to his profession since graduating high school, and with a cunning wife, Mi-ri (Son Ye-jin), and two children, Man-su's killings, like the film's English title suggests, are "No Other Choice."
"I believe this film is a grand tragedy," Lee Byung-hun explained. "Some viewers might think everything is resolved despite the sequence of events, but to me, it's a tragedy." He added, "All the characters Man-su kills resemble him in some way. I felt that by killing them, he was ultimately killing himself."
The depiction of Mi-ri, who turns a blind eye to her husband's actions, serves as a stark reminder that despite Man-su's desperate choices, the family he fought to protect is ultimately destroyed. For both Man-su and Lee Byung-hun, it is a tragedy.
This is where director Park Chan-wook's signature black comedy shines. Originally planned as a foreign film, "Concrete Utopia" evolved over a decade into the Korean film we see today. Lee Byung-hun recalled his initial reaction to the English script: "It felt unrealistic." This was due to a disconnect with Korean sensibilities. Subsequent script revisions brought it in line with Korean sentiment.
"That's when it felt realistic," Lee Byung-hun remarked. "The characters and situations were tailored for Korea. I asked the director, 'Is this supposed to be funny?' He replied, 'The funnier, the better.' My sense of humor and the director's are slightly different, though I admit my hit rate for laughter is slightly higher."
This project marks the reunion of Lee Byung-hun and director Park Chan-wook, 25 years after their collaboration on "Joint Security Area" (2000). Ironically, their first meeting occurred when both were associated with 'directors and actors whose previous works had failed.' With nothing to lose, they created "Joint Security Area," which has since become an indelible part of Korean film history.
"Director Park Chan-wook is someone I can rely on," Lee Byung-hun stated. "He's like a big brother in life and a significant pillar of support in the film industry. When I'm contemplating a project, he's the first person I turn to for advice."
Lee Byung-hun made his acting debut in the 1991 KBS drama 'Asphalt My Hometown' and has since built a prolific career. He is acclaimed for his performances in numerous hit films such as 'Inside Men,' 'A Bittersweet Life,' and 'Masquerade.' His transition to Hollywood began with 'G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,' followed by appearances in 'Terminator Genisys' and 'The Magnificent Seven,' solidifying his status as a global star.