Actor Lee Byung-hun (55) returns with director Park Chan-wook in 'Can't Help It'.
The film 'Can't Help It', which was released on the 24th, tells the story of an office worker, Mansoo (played by Lee Byung-hun), who feels satisfied with life but suddenly gets fired. To protect his wife and two children and to keep the house he worked hard to acquire, he prepares for his own war towards re-employment.
It was invited to the competition section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival and was the opening film of the 30th Busan International Film Festival. Directed by Park Chan-wook, the film features actors Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Lee Sung-min, Yim Hye-ran, and Park Hee-soon, drawing attention.
When asked about his feelings upon the release, Lee Byung-hun said, "There is always tension and excitement about how the audience will react," and added, "This time, we went to Venice, then Toronto, then the Busan Film Festival, and even the preview schedule. The reactions in our country vary from theater to theater, and the points of laughter differ from country to country. There were moments when laughter erupted from things we didn't intend while filming."
He continued, "In 'Can't Help It', the director's works have humor and laughter, but there are meanings behind them. The charm is that they can evoke different feelings when watched multiple times," and confidently stated, "I have watched it five times, and every time it feels new and there is a joy in discovering something."
Lee Byung-hun recalled the moment he received the offer to star in 'Can't Help It' from director Park Chan-wook.
He said, "I received the offer six months before filming started. Initially, the director wanted to cast it in the U.S. and shoot there. When he decided to make a Korean film, he called me. I received a translation of the American script into Korean, but it felt unrealistic and disconnected. I said I would do it and asked to quickly change it to a Korean version. When I received the revised script, it felt realistic. The character came to life and approached me in a relatable way."
He added, "Our professions are similar. This is the only thing I know how to do. If I were to suddenly lose my job like Mansoo, I would feel just as lost about what to do next," and mentioned, "In fact, Mansoo and everyone else are pitiful characters. They are in a hopeless and frustrating situation. Their actions are understandable, but when viewed objectively, it can be funny. It's like when someone falls on the street; you worry they might be seriously hurt, but you also find it momentarily amusing, which is tragic. I felt that if I tried too hard to be funny, I might lose something more important, so I tried to follow the director's intentions closely."
Lee Byung-hun reunited with director Park Chan-wook once again after 'Joint Security Area' and 'Three, Monster'.
He said, "It was really enjoyable to meet the director again after 20 years. Back when we did 'Joint Security Area', we were throwing ideas around like a battle, but it was more about quantity than quality. Only one out of ten ideas was reflected, but this time, everything I said was applied. I got a bit scared later, wondering if the director was trying to shift responsibility onto me. So I thought I should hold back, and in the latter part, I didn't offer any ideas. The director enjoys hearing things from actors and staff that he hasn't thought of. Back then, even if I said something, it wouldn't be applied, but this time about 80% of my ideas were applied. So it felt burdensome. I wondered if my ideas had become more refined."
He continued, "What remains the same about the director, then and now, is that he is still open. His attitude of listening to people's stories is the same as before. He listens to many stories and corrects any wrong points in his thoughts. He listens a lot and finds new ideas within that. The director mentioned that when he reads a novel or watches a webtoon or an already made film, it's not just about enjoying it, but about taking any new ideas and giving them a new form. I think that's how it is. It's not that the whole conversation was good, but he doesn't miss out on any ideas he sees. That's why he seems to want to keep talking."
What part did Lee Byung-hun contribute ideas to? He revealed, "The idea I contributed was during the scene in the music room where the three of us are tangled up fighting and drop the gun. I suggested that while trying to grab the gun, if someone nudges it, it might go inside. I thought that in a real fight, there would be more cases where the gun wouldn't be easily grabbed. I suggested showing that. That idea was born during rehearsal the day before filming."
Son Ye-jin, who acted alongside him as his wife in 'Can't Help It', admired him, saying he acts with ease in any situation or variable.
When asked about his secret, Lee Byung-hun replied, "At some point, I answered a lot of questions from a junior who was asking me. Newcomers or actors with little experience prepare too rigidly until the day before. They prepare to the point where they can deliver their lines perfectly, but everything becomes too stiff. When there are any changes or explanations, they can't accept them flexibly. Situations arise where even what they prepared collapses. So I go in with a soft mindset. I memorize all the lines but maintain the flexibility to accept the meaning and intention of the scene during rehearsal with the director's orders, which can help reduce panic. That might be why Son Ye-jin saw me that way."
Regarding the ending, he stated, "I think this film is a great tragedy. After it ends, some might think it's a happy ending, while others might see it as a great tragedy. I belong to the latter. The character that Mansoo kills resembles himself, and although he is the target he must eliminate, it evokes a lot of empathy. I believe that killing such people is akin to killing oneself."
What does director Park Chan-wook, with whom he has maintained a long relationship and reunited in 'Can't Help It', mean to Lee Byung-hun?
He expressed, "He is someone I can lean on. He is a big brother in life and the greatest support in the film industry."
He added, "Even before I ventured into Hollywood, he called me several times, but I hesitated. Then when 'G.I. Joe' came, my American manager pushed me. So I pondered and consulted with directors Park Chan-wook and Kim Ji-woon. Their reactions were different, so in the end, I had to make the choice. He is a good brother I can ask for advice when I have concerns about a project."
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
