The 82nd Venice International Film Festival official selection in the institutional sector, 'No Other Choice' (provided/distributed by: CJ ENM | directed by: Park Chan-wook | produced by: Moho Film/CJ ENM Studios) features Lee Byung-hun returning anew as the job seeker 'Mansu,' who begins his own war.
'No Other Choice' tells the story of 'Mansu' (Lee Byung-hun), an office worker whose life was satisfying enough to feel 'I have achieved everything.' After being suddenly laid off, he prepares for his own war towards re-employment while trying to protect his wife and two children, as well as the home he painstakingly acquired.
Lee Byung-hun, who has made a lasting impression in various works including the global hit series 'Squid Game,' the film 'The Man Standing Next,' 'Ashfall,' 'Concrete Utopia,' and 'The Inside Men,' has firmly established himself as a representative actor of Korea. In his recent work 'Game of Honor,' he perfectly portrayed the genius Go player 'Cho Hun-hyun' and voiced 'Gui Ma' in 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' continuing to take on challenges. Viewers are expected to discover a new side of actor Lee Byung-hun through his role as 'Mansu' in 'No Other Choice.'
'Mansu,' a job seeker who was laid off overnight after dedicating 25 years to a paper factory, prepares for re-employment. Faced with repeated failures at interviews and the dire situation of having to put his hard-earned home up for sale, he prepares for his own war with a desperate heart. From his initial feelings of satisfaction and pride in life to the growing sense of unavoidable anxiety after being laid off, Lee Byung-hun delicately expresses the complex emotions of a character pushed to the brink, drawing the audience into the drama.
Lee Byung-hun shared his reflections and efforts regarding his role as 'Mansu,' saying, "I was most concerned about how to convincingly portray an extreme situation." He hinted at his performance in this work. Director Park Chan-wook, who has worked with Lee Byung-hun in 'Joint Security Area,' 'Thirst,' and now 'No Other Choice,' noted, "Lee Byung-hun really has a wide range of expressions. He seamlessly transitions between various emotions as needed, keeping it engaging from start to finish."
Scheduled for release in September.
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