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Press Release | 2025.08.04.
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No Other Choice, Directed by PARK Chan-wook, Selected as Opening Film
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The 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has selected the opening film, No Other Choice, directed by PARK Chan-wook.
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Director PARK Chan-wook, “A Long-Awaited Passion Project”
No Other Choice, Asian Premiere in Busan
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Director Park Chan-wook’s return to the screen three years after Decision to Leave (2022), No Other Choice follows Man-su (Lee Byung Hun) in his desperate struggle to secure his wife, Miri (Son Yejin), their two children, and his hard-earned home. Once highly satisfied with his achievement-filled life, Man-su faces sudden dismissal from his job and begins preparing for his own war of survival.
This year’s Opening Ceremony host, actor Lee Byung Hun, stars as Man-su, a job seeker embarking on a war for reemployment, while renowned actress Son Yejin plays Miri, a woman determined to protect her family at all costs. Starring as a couple for the first time, the two leads are joined by an exceptional cast including Park Hee soon, Lee Sung Min, Yeom Hye Ran, Cha Seung Won. With its gripping narrative, signature mise en scène, and meticulous production values, the film depicts one man’s desperate struggle to preserve his life and family. Director Park has described it as a film he had “a long-awaited passion project” at BIFF 2019.
The Busan International Film Festival, marking the milestone 30th edition, has selected No Other Choice as an opening film that embodies what audiences most hope to see – a film that can reinvigorate Korean cinema at this pivotal moment. By selecting this master filmmaker’s work as the opening film, the festival will open the landmark 30th edition, underscoring a meaningful connection with countless audiences, while sending a heartfelt respect and support for contemporary Korean cinema.
BIFF Festival Director Jung Hanseok remarked, “I am deeply moved and excited to experience the premiere of Park Chan-wook’s desired project alongside diverse audiences on the festival’s opening day. I sincerely hope that its selection will build meaningful momentum to garner greater attention and foster renewed interest in Korean cinema”.
No Other Choice is set to be screened at the 30th Busan International Film Festival held from September 17 (Wed) to 26 (Fri).
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■ PARK Chan-wook Director | Korea
Born in 1963 in Seoul, director Park Chan-wook made his debut with The Moon Is... the Sun’s Dream (1992). He opened new horizons for Korean cinema with groundbreaking works including Joint Security Area (2000), Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), Old boy (2003), Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005), Thirst (2009), The Handmaiden (2016), and Decision to Leave (2022). Known for compelling characters, provocative narratives that blur boundaries and captivating mise en scène, he was named in The New York Times’ ‘The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century’. With various works capturing both audiences and critics worldwide, the director has been invited to the competition section of the Cannes Film Festival four times and has been honored with the Grand Prix, Prix du Jury, and Prix de la mise en scène, becoming the first Korean director to achieve all three.
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■ The 30th Busan International Film Festival: Sep 17 (Wed) – Sep 26 (Fri)
■ The 20th Asian Contents & Film Market: Sep 20 (Sat) – Sep 23 (Tue)
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