Acclaimed director Park Chan-wook's latest film 'No Other Choice' dominated the South Korean box office on its opening day, attracting an impressive 331,518 viewers on September 24. The strong debut performance secured the top position at the box office and set a new personal record for the internationally renowned filmmaker.
The opening day numbers represent the highest first-day attendance for any Park Chan-wook film to date. 'No Other Choice' surpassed the opening day figures of several of Park's previous acclaimed works, including 'Decision to Leave,' which drew 114,589 viewers on its debut. The film also outperformed the opening numbers of 'The Handmaiden,' Park's highest-grossing film, which attracted 290,024 viewers on its first day, and 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance,' which brought in 279,413 moviegoers.
The remarkable debut is particularly significant considering the current challenges facing the Korean film industry, where theater attendance has been experiencing a notable decline. The film's opening day performance even edged past recent major box office successes, narrowly beating 'Exhuma,' which opened to 330,118 viewers last year before eventually reaching the milestone of 10 million total admissions. It also significantly outperformed '12.12: The Day,' which launched with 203,813 viewers in 2023 but went on to become that year's most-watched film.
'No Other Choice' tells the compelling story of Man-su, portrayed by veteran actor Lee Byung-hun, an ordinary office worker who believes he has achieved everything he could want in life. However, his world is turned upside down when he is suddenly laid off from his job. Facing the challenge of protecting his family and maintaining 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 acclaimed 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 distinctive comedic elements that characterize 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 particularly highlighted her co-stars' comedic performances, stating that 'Lee Byung-hun was hilarious, and Lee Sung-min made me laugh every time he delivered a line.' She revealed that she has already watched the completed film four times, explaining, 'Usually, repeated viewings reduce the laughs, but here you find new ones,' demonstrating the layered nature of the film's humor.
Returning to the big screen for the first time in seven years, Son Ye-jin also took the opportunity to reflect on the current challenges facing the Korean cinema industry. 'I didn't even realize it had been seven years,' she admitted. 'Watching a film in a theater is both our memory and a great joy as actors.' However, she expressed concern about the industry's current state, noting that 'with fewer audiences going to theaters these days, even reading scripts or securing investment has become difficult. As a filmmaker, that saddens me.' Despite these challenges, she expressed optimism and hope for the movie's continued success at the box office.
