In a recent interview, actress Son Ye Jin shared a funny and revealing story about working with co-star Lee Byung Hun on their new film, “No Other Choice.” She described how Lee Byung Hun’s attempts at comedy during a serious scene led to so much confusion that director Park Chan-wook finally put a stop to them. This behind-the-scenes look comes as their black comedy thriller tops the Korean box office, earning a strong $7.5 million in its first days of release.
Son Ye Jin’s First Impressions of the Script
When Son Ye Jin first read the script for “No Other Choice,” she was immediately drawn to the project, even though her character, Miri, initially had a smaller presence. The actress revealed that the narrative was so intense that she wanted to be a part of it, no matter the size of her role.
She also shared an interesting perspective on her character, stating:
“From an actor’s perspective, a character like Mansoo is very attractive. Mansoo has layers from 1 to 10, and because of the wide range, various variations are possible. So after reading the script, I thought that if such a character were a woman, I really want to do it.”
Director Park Chan-wook later expanded Miri’s role significantly for the final film, telling Son Ye Jin that the character needed to be realistic and that it had to be her.
The Scene That Led to a Comedy Ban
The interview uncovered the playful dynamic on set, which sometimes required director Park Chan-wook to step in. Son Ye Jin shared a specific episode involving Lee Byung Hun that led to an unofficial ban on his joke-telling.
While filming a key scene, Lee Byung Hun attempted to lighten the mood with an improvised joke. However, his timing and delivery were so off that it caused widespread confusion among the cast and crew. Instead of helping the scene, it broke the concentration of the actors and disrupted the film’s serious tone.
Son Ye Jin explained that Director Park, known for his calm and focused demeanor, finally had to intervene. While he didn’t get angry, he made it clear that such improvisation was counterproductive. This led to what the cast jokingly refers to as a “ban on comedy attempts” from Lee Byung Hun for the rest of the production.
Working with Director Park Chan-wook
Son Ye Jin described the experience of working with the renowned director for the first time. She characterized him as a remarkably calm and observant leader on set.
“I felt that Director Park Chan-wook is really calm. He always directs calmly and maintains his tone. It felt like a cold observer’s perspective,” she said.
She also noted that his pessimistic and cynical worldview is a key part of what makes his films so unique and compelling. When asked if the director ever gave enthusiastic praise, Son Ye Jin laughed and said, “I have never heard him say, ‘You did really well.’ If a scene is not good, we just keep doing it until it is good.”
The scene that required the most takes was surprisingly a simple one early in the shoot, where Miri had a short line about receiving an expensive eel. The director focused intensely on getting the delivery and tone just right.
The Complex Role of Miri
In the film, Son Ye Jin plays Miri, the wife of Lee Byung Hun’s character, Man-su, a paper industry expert who loses his job and takes extreme measures to provide for his family. The actress worked to make Miri more than just a supporting wife character.
She described Miri as “a wife and mother who can do more if she wants to.” While she might seem like an ordinary mother, she is a complex character capable of unexpected choices in extreme situations. Son Ye Jin revealed that because Miri is often in limited spaces like the home and doesn’t have dramatic emotional outbursts, she used physical acting to show the character’s richness.
One of the most talked-about scenes involves Miri making a sexual appeal at a police station to cover up her son’s mistake. Son Ye Jin explained her character’s motivation: “When I think about why Miri made that choice, she had completely figured out Wonno.” She added that as a mother, Miri could do even worse things to protect her child.
Chemistry with Lee Byung Hun
Despite the on-set joke ban, Son Ye Jin confirmed that her chemistry with Lee Byung Hun was exceptional, particularly in the police station scene. “In that scene, actually, I and Byung-hun sunbae matched so well, like a couple in a scam,” she shared. Director Park Chan-wook also noted their remarkable synchronization in this scene.
The couple’s quarrel scene in the film has become a favorite for many viewers, including the director himself. Son Ye Jin reflected on why this scene resonates with audiences: “The reason many people find that scene funny and relatable is that while we pretend to be adults and act mature, don’t we become the most childish when we fight with someone?”
Changes to Miri’s Character Background
Interestingly, Son Ye Jin revealed that Miri’s character background underwent significant changes during development. The original concept had Miri coming from a wealthy family, but the actress pushed back against this idea.
“I told the director that I couldn’t accept that at all. If she were the daughter of a rich family, she could ask her parents for help.”
This feedback led to Miri being rewritten as a former single mother who used to earn more than her husband before their marriage. This change added more layers to the character and made Man-su’s decision to marry a single mother more meaningful to the story.
About “No Other Choice”
“No Other Choice” is directed by Park Chan-wook and stars Lee Byung-hun as Man-su, a paper industry expert who is suddenly laid off after 25 years of service. Desperate to provide for his wife Miri (Son Ye-jin) and their two children, he decides to eliminate his competition for a new job. The film is based on Donald Westlake’s 1997 novel “The Ax” and represents a passion project for Park Chan-wook that took nearly two decades to develop.
The film had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2025, where it received a nine-minute standing ovation. It opened in South Korean theaters on September 24, 2025, and quickly reached the top of the box office, drawing over 1.73 million viewers in its first weekend. Critics have praised the film as a wickedly clever takedown of corporate culture, with Lee Byung-Hun’s performance receiving particular recognition.
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Credits: Daum
