Held on August 19 at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall, the event featured director Park Chan-wook and the film’s main cast, including Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yum Hye-ran, and Cha Seung-won.
No Other Choice, adapted from Donald E. Westlake’s novel The Ax, tells the story of Man-su (Lee Byung-hun), a once content office worker who is suddenly laid off. He goes to extreme lengths to protect his family and home by reentering the job market.
Son Ye-jin plays Mi-ri, Man-su’s wife, a strong and nurturing mother who supports her husband’s efforts. As a mother herself since 2022 after marrying actor Hyun Bin, Son revealed the role hit closer to home this time. “I’ve played mothers and divorcees before having a child, but it’s a completely different experience now. It can’t be compared,” she said. “Even though the kids in the film were a bit older than my own, the emotions felt natural.”
During her remarks, Lee Byung-hun and director Park Chan-wook began talking separately, prompting Son Ye-jin to joke, “Why are you two having a different conversation while I’m talking?” The room erupted in laughter.
She also emphasized how her character’s maternal instincts made it easier to relate. “Mi-ri is very positive and wants to protect her family. That maternal side helped me immerse myself in the role.”
However, co-star Lee Byung-hun playfully disagreed, recalling moments on set where he handled questions from child actors while Son Ye-jin remained focused.
“The way she appeared on set was different. In the movie, our children are played by young actors Si-won and Ri-won. One of the kids kept asking questions during filming. I would keep answering, and then sometimes I’d lose track of what emotion I was supposed to bring to the next scene. But Son Ye-jin never answered them once. (laughs) I even told her, ‘Ye-jin, please respond when they ask you something.’ But she said, ‘That’s your responsibility, sunbaenim.’ She told me she had to stay immersed in her emotions. Seeing her say this now, I guess that’s really how she felt inside.”
Embarrassed but smiling, Son Ye-jin clarified, “The actress playing our daughter was very curious and kept asking us things, even during rehearsals, right before shooting began. I had lines to memorize and had to focus on the director’s detailed directions to get into the right emotions.”
Lee Byung-hun quipped, “I had lines too!” making everyone laugh again. Son Ye-jin quickly countered, “But you didn’t have many lines, sunbaenim. I was behind the wheel, and I had so many lines running through my head.” Her candid defense brought even more laughter to the event.
Son Ye-jin’s heartfelt reflections on motherhood and her dedication to portraying Mi-ri in No Other Choice add emotional depth to her long-awaited return to the big screen. As she and Lee Byung-hun bring this relatable and poignant story to life, fans can look forward to a film that not only entertains but also resonates on a deeply human level.
With its September release approaching, No Other Choice promises to be a compelling exploration of family, resilience, and the personal battles we all face.
Sources: daum
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