Lee Byung-hun Urges Fans to Experience 'It Can't Be Helped' on the Big Screen

Actor Lee Byung-hun, who attended the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) as the opening film's lead, has passionately recommended viewing the movie 'It Can't Be Helped' in theaters.

The film, directed by Park Chan-wook, premiered in Korea at the Busan Cinema Center on the afternoon of the 17th as the opening film for the 30th BIFF.

Following the press screening, a press conference was held with director Park Chan-wook and lead actors Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, and Yum Hye-ran. They discussed the film with BIFF Senior Programmer Park Ga-eon.

'It Can't Be Helped' tells the story of Mansoo (Lee Byung-hun), a white-collar worker who felt his life was fulfilling, only to be abruptly laid off. The narrative follows his personal battle to re-enter the workforce, protect his wife and children, and safeguard his hard-earned home.

Lee Byung-hun, portraying the protagonist Mansoo, received early acclaim for his performance at the Venice Film Festival, where the movie was invited to the official competition. He humbly stated that his mindset at the start of the project was no different than usual, but he was excited about collaborating with director Park Chan-wook again after a long time.

He elaborated on the challenge of portraying an ordinary character thrust into extraordinary circumstances. "My character isn't a very distinctive one; he's a common, everyday person. My homework throughout filming was how to convincingly show the audience how such an ordinary person would accept and express the extreme emotional decisions made and gradually acted upon when facing immense situations," he shared.

Recalling his reunion with director Park Chan-wook since 'Joint Security Area,' Lee Byung-hun marveled at the director's meticulous attention to detail. "The director is incredibly focused on mise-en-scène; he pays attention to everything from distant props, costume patterns, to lighting. This meticulousness extends to his direction of actors," he said.

Lee Byung-hun further illustrated this with an example from the initial interview scene. "There were so many scenes where I had to deliver lines while consciously avoiding sunlight, enduring tooth pain, and showing the anxiety and tension causing my legs to tremble." He added that while some elements were in the script, there were multiple instances where the director requested spontaneous additions, which proved demanding but ultimately contributed to a strong film.

This is precisely why Lee Byung-hun is urging everyone to watch the film in cinemas. "As an actor who worked on this project for a long time, I thought I knew the film completely, but it felt different watching it a second and third time. I rediscovered aspects I hadn't noticed before, gaining insight into the director's intentions and his meticulous mise-en-scène, which can only be fully appreciated on a large screen," he emphasized.

He concluded, "This film, like any other, has a very clear reason to be seen in theaters. I highly recommend watching it in the warmth of a cinema rather than catching it on TV during holidays in the future." 'It Can't Be Helped' is set to open on the 24th.

Lee Byung-hun is a highly acclaimed South Korean actor who has achieved significant success both domestically and internationally. He made his debut in 1991 and has since starred in numerous critically and commercially successful films such as 'Joint Security Area,' 'A Bittersweet Life,' and 'Masquerade.' His roles in Hollywood productions like the 'G.I. Joe' franchise and 'Terminator Genisys' have further cemented his global star status.