‘Joint Security Area’ cast reunites for CJ ENM’s 30th anniversary Visionary screening.
On February 4th KST, CJ ENM hosted a GV (Guest Visit) screening at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Seoul to commemorate its 30th anniversary, selecting ‘Joint Security Area’ as a Visionary film. Director Park Chan Wook attended alongside actors Song Kang Ho, Lee Byung Hun, Lee Young Ae, and Kim Tae Woo, as well as Ko Kyung Bum, head of CJ ENM’s film division.
Since 2020, CJ ENM has designated Visionary figures across Korean pop culture, including film, television, music, and entertainment. For its 30th anniversary, it honored ‘Joint Security Area’, recognizing its cultural and cinematic significance.
Directed by Park Chan Wook, ‘Joint Security Area’ tells the tragic story of South and North Korean soldiers stationed on opposite sides of the “Bridge of No Return.” The film humanizes the division of Korea, contributing to a shift in public perception of inter-Korean relations and marking a turning point in Korean cinema.
Director Park Chan Wook noted, “Since this film is 25 years old, some memories are fading, but the late 1990s were a very different time. The National Security Act was still in full force, and ambiguous interpretations of the law could be used against anyone.”
He even recalled preparing for the possibility of being jailed, stating, “I thought that depicting interactions and friendships between North and South Korean soldiers might lead to legal trouble. However, by the time the film was released, President Kim Dae Jung had visited North Korea for a summit, and my concerns turned out to be unfounded. Still, making this film required a sense of resolve.”
Park also shared that the film was a make-or-break moment in his career: “My previous two films were box office failures, and I knew that if I lost this third opportunity, it would likely be my last.”
Lee Byung Hun reflected on his initial skepticism about Park Chan Wook, joking, “At the time, I honestly had no expectations for the director. In fact, just recently, I had the honor of presenting him with a lifetime achievement award in the U.S., and I joked, ‘It was quite a fateful meeting—an actor who had flopped three times and a director whose last two films had bombed. Could there be a better combination?’”
He also acknowledged the film’s significance in his career, saying, ”‘Joint Security Area’ was the first time I introduced myself at an awards ceremony as a ‘box office actor.’ While I was thrilled, I also felt conflicted about the industry’s obsession with numbers.”
Song Kang Ho revealed that he initially turned down the role, explaining, “The script felt too perfect. It was so tightly structured that I doubted it could be executed well. At the time, I thought, ‘Has Korean cinema really reached this level?’ and assumed it would end up being a mess.”
He added, “And to be honest, the director’s previous two films had flopped. I thought, ‘Can he really pull this off?’ But after meeting him, I was convinced.”
Joking about watching the film again after 20 years, Song quipped, “I realized I was just as handsome as Lee Byung Hun back then! Watching it again, I thought, ‘Wow, I was young, stylish, and good-looking.’” He also praised Park Chan Wook, saying, *“His films have a depth and dignity that cannot be erased. Maybe that’s why his upcoming film is titled ‘No Other Choice’”
Lee Young Ae admitted she was nervous about attending the GV, saying, “Back when we filmed ‘Joint Security Area,’ I was the only female actor among a male cast, so I sometimes felt lonely. Meeting everyone again after 25 years was nerve-wracking, but once we started chatting over dinner, I regretted not having more gatherings like this.”
She reflected on the film’s impact on her career, stating, “Meeting this film in my late 20s led to great opportunities in my 30s, including working with Director Park again on ‘Sympathy for Lady Vengeance.’ It was a truly miraculous film for me.”
Kim Tae Woo shared that he was drawn to the script more than the director, saying, “Back then, I wasn’t in a position to be picky about directors. I just read the script and wanted to do it. Before the release, after seeing an early screening, I remember thanking the director for letting me be part of such a great film. It was pure luck.”
Meanwhile, Park Chan Wook acknowledged that ‘Joint Security Area’ saved his career, calling it “the film that kept me alive.” He said, “After two failures, getting a third chance was rare. Thanks to the full support of the production team and a stellar cast, everything came together like a miracle.”
He added, “Right before this film, I worked on a short film that made me rethink my approach to directing. That experience shaped how I collaborated with actors on ‘Joint Security Area.’ Looking back, I can say my filmmaking journey truly began here.”
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