Veteran actor Lee Byung Hun (55) has transformed into a Go master in the upcoming movie The Match (directed by Kim Hyung Joo). The film, which tells the story of legendary Go player Cho Hun Hyun (played by Lee Byung Hun), follows his journey as he challenges himself to reclaim his status after being defeated by his own disciple.
'In The Match,' Kim Kang Hoon plays the young version of Cho's prodigious disciple, Lee Chang Ho, while Yoo Ah In plays the adult version.
Yoo Ah In was previously arrested and charged with habitual drug use, including propofol and marijuana. After being sentenced to probation in an appeals trial last month on the 18th, 'The Match,' which had been stuck in limbo due to the controversy, is finally set to hit theaters on March 26.
When asked about his thoughts on the upcoming release, Lee Byung Hun said, “I'm just thrilled that it's getting a theatrical release. There were a lot of ups and downs, but the fact that it's being shown in theaters makes me so happy. Everyone involved put so much effort into making this film. While it might have reached a wider audience if it were released on a streaming platform, as a filmmaker, there’s a unique satisfaction in seeing it on a big screen where the emotional details and sound can be fully experienced.”
Lee Byung Hun revealed that he met with Cho Hun Hyun before filming to capture his mannerisms and habits. “I tried to pick up on the way he speaks and his little quirks. Sometimes the conversations would become difficult or awkward, but his wife was really good at stepping in and guiding the flow of the conversation,” he said.
Regarding Cho Hun Hyun's reaction after attending the film's preview, Lee said, “He was initially worried about how such a static game like Go could be translated into a movie. But he was surprised by how well the psychological and emotional aspects were portrayed. He mentioned that he never scolded Lee Chang Ho as harshly as shown in the film. A mentor's role is more about guiding the student rather than instructing them on every single move.”
When asked about Yoo Ah In’s performance despite the controversy surrounding him, Lee was quick to praise him. “I think he did a fantastic job. A film doesn't shine because of one actor alone—it works when everyone delivers. From that perspective, Yoo Ah In did a great job,” Lee said. However, he admitted that the uncertainty surrounding the film's release was stressful. “Of course, waiting for the outcome was tough. But more than myself, I was worried about the director. He worked on this project for years after The Sheriff in Town, putting so much care into it. It would’ve been heartbreaking if the audience never got to see it.”
Lee Byung Hun has already wrapped up filming his next project, 'No Other Choice,' which reunites him with director Park Chan Wook for the third time after 'Joint Security Area' and 'Three... Extremes.' “It was incredibly tough but also incredibly fun. Every time I went to set, I would think, ‘How hard is it going to be today?’ But at the same time, I was excited because it was so rewarding,” he said.
When asked about working with Yoo Ah In, Lee shared, “The way he portrayed Lee Chang Ho's calm demeanor, the subtle expressions, and his detached gaze were impressive. He stayed quiet on set, which made me think he was really trying to immerse himself in the character.”
As for whether he has spoken to Yoo Ah In since the drug scandal, Lee replied briefly, “No, we’ve never contacted each other. We weren’t really in touch even before that.”
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