Director Park Chan-wook's latest film "No Other Choice" has achieved a remarkable milestone by drawing more than 330,000 moviegoers on its opening day, claiming the top position at the Korean box office. The film attracted exactly 331,518 viewers on September 24, according to official data from the Korean Film Council, marking the highest opening day performance of any Park Chan-wook film in his distinguished career.
This impressive debut surpassed the opening day numbers of Park's previous acclaimed works, including "Decision to Leave" which drew 114,589 viewers, his highest-grossing film "The Handmaiden" with 290,024 opening day viewers, and "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" which attracted 279,413 viewers on its first day. The achievement is particularly significant given the current challenging state of the theater market in South Korea.
The strong opening performance also edged past recent Korean box office hits that went on to achieve massive success. "No Other Choice" narrowly beat "Exhuma," which opened with 330,118 viewers last year before ultimately reaching 10 million total admissions. It also significantly outperformed "12.12: The Day," which launched with 203,813 viewers in 2023 but later became that year's most-watched film.
"No Other Choice" tells the compelling story of Man-su, portrayed by Lee Byung-hun, an ordinary office worker who believes he has achieved everything he could want in life until he faces the sudden shock of being laid off. Struggling desperately to protect his family and maintain his home, Man-su embarks on a fierce and determined battle to reenter the competitive workforce. The film features an impressive ensemble cast that includes renowned actors Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yum Hye-ran, and Cha Seung-won.
In a recent interview, Son Ye-jin praised the film's distinctive comedic elements, describing them as uniquely characteristic of Park Chan-wook's directorial style. "It's very sophisticated humor, and the more you think about it, the funnier it becomes," she explained. "Because the actors absorbed it and expressed it well, the audience can really enjoy it." She emphasized the importance of comedic timing in the film's success, noting that "timing is very important, and each actor nailed it."
Son Ye-jin specifically highlighted her co-stars' comedic performances, saying "Lee Byung-hun was hilarious, and Lee Sung-min made me laugh every time he delivered a line." She revealed her personal connection to the film, stating "I've already seen the film four times. Usually, repeated viewings reduce the laughs, but here you find new ones," demonstrating the film's layered humor and rewatchability.
This film marks Son Ye-jin's highly anticipated return to the big screen after a seven-year absence from cinema. Reflecting on this gap, she admitted "I didn't even realize it had been seven years." She emphasized the cultural importance of the theatrical experience, saying "Watching a film in a theater is both our memory and a great joy as actors."
Son Ye-jin also addressed the current challenges facing the Korean film industry, expressing concern about declining theater attendance and its impact on filmmaking. "With fewer audiences going to theaters these days, even reading scripts or securing investment has become difficult," she explained. "As a filmmaker, that saddens me." Despite these industry challenges, she expressed hope and optimism for the success of "No Other Choice" and its potential to draw audiences back to theaters.
