Director Park Chan-wook praised actor Lee Byung-hun.
On the 24th, Park Chan-wook and Lee Byung-hun appeared as guests on tvN's 'You Quiz on the Block'.
On that day, Yoo Jae-suk asked how it was when Park Chan-wook and Lee Byung-hun reunited after 25 years since the movie 'Joint Security Area (JSA)'. Director Park Chan-wook replied, "At that time, we were all thirsty for a hit, and everyone was worried about how to handle this person."
However, Lee Byung-hun retorted, "At that time, the director was in a more serious state. I had failed until my fourth film, but my fifth film received a bit of love from the audience. I was trying to rise, but the director had already failed two films so badly that there were rumors in Chungmuro about whether he would get another chance."
Lee Byung-hun recalled his first meeting with Director Park Chan-wook, saying, "We were having a technical screening for the movie 'The World of Us'. The assistant director ran over and said, 'There’s a director waiting outside. He wants to see you for a moment.' There was a person wearing a coat with a ponytail hairstyle holding a script. Just looking at his appearance, he seemed unlikable."
Director Park Chan-wook handed Lee Byung-hun a script and proposed a project, but it was rejected at that time. Lee Byung-hun said, "After doing TV activities, I went to the military late. Just before I was discharged, my manager handed me a script that was really interesting. Only then did I look at it and saw 'Park Chan-wook' written on it. I was hesitant about whether to do it or not. But I found the script so enjoyable that I thought, 'Let’s give it a try' and met him."
Meanwhile, Director Park Chan-wook commented on working with Lee Byung-hun after 25 years, saying, "Lee Byung-hun has done many works in the meantime. He has experienced everything and has become skilled. And since Lee Byung-hun prepares a lot, it felt like a picnic except when the camera was rolling," he smiled.
Lee Byung-hun mentioned that while filming the movie 'There’s Nothing We Can Do', he nicknamed Director Park 'Park Revision Notes'. He said, "When actors perform well, he adds three or four revision notes saying, 'Then this time...' If the actors apply those, he gives more revision notes. By the time it reaches about ten, it becomes almost a state of ecstasy."
In response, Park Chan-wook said, "Because he does well, I keep asking for more. It’s because he keeps inspiring me, but he doesn’t even realize that he’s complaining like this," which drew laughter.
Director Park Chan-wook praised Lee Byung-hun, saying, "Lee Byung-hun's outstanding point is his ability to express a variety of emotions, and on the other hand, his ability to create an ensemble. When he is with Son Ye-jin and Lee Sung-min, he makes them feel like the main characters. Yet, he doesn’t shrink into the shadows. Although it is said that ensemble is important in the film industry, there are few actors who can do it well. Among them, he seems to be the best actor," he praised.
[Lee Se-bin, Star Today Guest Reporter]
