Chuseok Box Office Rivals: Lee Byung-hun and Jo Woo-jin... The Showdown with 'The Boss' Is 'No Other Choice'

[Financial News] "Now is not the time to fight. Why talk about a showdown? I am honored that our films are being released together."
Jo Woo-jin, the lead actor of the comic action film 'The Boss,' made this remark when we met on the 26th of last month ahead of the Chuseok holiday.
This Chuseok, which lasts up to ten days, sees Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice' and Ra Hee-chan's 'The Boss' representing Korean cinema. We spoke with the stars, Lee Byung-hun and Jo Woo-jin, to hear behind-the-scenes stories from the set.■ Lee Byung-hun Perfectly Embodies the Joys and Sorrows of an Unemployed Father'No Other Choice' has divided audiences since its release, but the film's craftsmanship and the actors' performances are outstanding. It tells the story of a father struggling to remove potential rivals for reemployment, blending sophisticated mise-en-scène with ironic humor. Those who appreciate Park Chan-wook's signature wit will find themselves laughing throughout. The film is also rich with symbolism and tightly woven ironies that invite deeper reflection.
Lee Byung-hun, in particular, delivers a flawless performance as Man-soo, an unemployed father experiencing a full range of emotions. Meeting at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 24th of last month, Lee recalled, "The director said Man-soo's act of murder after being fired was just a cinematic device. But as an actor, my challenge was to make the audience empathize with Man-soo's emotional journey so they could say, 'Given the circumstances, he had no other choice.'"
Regarding Man-soo's mustachioed look before losing his job, Lee explained, "On the surface, he's a kind father, but he also has subtle patriarchal and macho traits. Today's younger generation might see him as old-fashioned or out of touch."
Ultimately, Man-soo's self-sacrificing actions as the head of the family lead to an ironic outcome, putting his loved ones in difficult situations due to his unilateral and extreme decisions.
Filming with director Park Chan-wook, who meticulously controls every scene, required patience. The director's detailed direction, especially regarding the tone and rhythm of the dialogue, reportedly left the actors in awe.
Lee Byung-hun joked, "I was relatively spared from notes about tone and rhythm. If I had received feedback on that as well, I might have gone home while filming the interview scene."
He also shared a behind-the-scenes story about the dance scene that brought laughter to the audience. Son Ye-jin previously admitted she practiced tango for months, but Lee's impromptu dance moves ended up stealing the spotlight.
Lee explained, "Since the scene required me to dance my way toward my wife without being noticed at the party, I didn't really need to rehearse. We shot about six or seven takes, and each time I danced differently. I simply let the music and atmosphere guide me in the moment."
In a capitalist society, job insecurity and the wave of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are unavoidable. Lee recalled the shock of realizing a manipulated deepfake video of a colleague was fake after initially finding it amusing. He remarked, "AI is not a distant future; it's already a reality." He added, "I always wonder how long I will remain an actor people want to see, so I, too, feel the anxiety of job insecurity."






'The Boss' Star Jo Woo-jin: "Just Sit Back and Enjoy the Laughter"'The Boss' stands apart from the gangster-themed films that once dominated Chungmuro. As the tagline "You be the boss" suggests, the film is not about a bloody struggle for power, but rather a humorous and action-packed depiction of everyone trying to avoid becoming the boss.
Jo Woo-jin plays Sun-tae, the top candidate for the next boss who dreams of conquering the country with the 'Mimiru' franchise, delivering both laughs and warmth. Other key players in this comedic chaos include Kang-pyo (Jung Kyung-ho), who is obsessed with tango; Pan-ho (Park Ji-hwan), the only one who actually wants to be boss but is not seen as boss material by anyone; and Tae-gyu (Lee Kyu-hyung), an undercover cop who infiltrates as a Mimiru deliveryman.
Jo Woo-jin noted, "Rather than giving strict instructions, the director encouraged the actors to try different things. We reviewed the footage together and shared our thoughts, which fostered a strong sense of camaraderie."
The actors also contributed many ideas for the action scenes. Jo explained, "Like in Jackie Chan movies, we used props from the surroundings, and Jung Kyung-ho's tango-inspired action was especially creative. The action director embraced these ideas, resulting in comedic and distinctive action sequences."
Having worked tirelessly for a month to promote the film, Jo said, "The sense of responsibility for the film’s success outweighs the pressure of being the lead. I hope audiences can laugh and enjoy themselves, forget their worries, and find comfort and fond memories."
Meanwhile, amid the popularity of Japanese animation, 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle' has surpassed five million viewers, and 'Chainsaw Man: Reze Arc the Movie' is set to follow. The Korean animated film 'Your Letter' is also entering the fray as a family movie tailored for teens. The Hollywood blockbuster 'Tron: Ares' will greet audiences at the end of the holiday on the 10th.
It's not just about new releases. Riding the wave of classic film re-releases, the Japanese film 'Linda Linda Linda' from 20 years ago and this year's Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner 'It Was Just an Accident' are now in theaters. There is also a variety of content aimed at fandoms, including the film adaptation of the musical 'Frankenstein' and the movie version of the musical 'Maybe Happy Ending.'


jashin@fnnews.com Shin Jin-ah Reporter