During the August 19 production briefing, actress Son Ye-jin discussed how becoming a mother influenced her performance. In response, Lee Byung-hun jokingly said, “That’s different from what I saw on set. The child actress asked so many questions, and I answered all of them. But Son Ye-jin didn’t answer a single one. She told me to handle it, sunbaenim.”
While delivered in jest, the comment sparked criticism online. Some interpreted it as evidence of cold or dismissive behavior toward a child actor, prompting heated discussions on SNS platforms.
Child Actress’s Mother Steps In
To calm the situation, the mother of child actress Choi So-yul addressed the public directly via SNS on August 24: “It was just a funny episode told in a joking tone. We were surprised to see it blown out of proportion. The truth is, she [Son Ye-jin] was very kind.”
She even shared a heartfelt anecdote: Son Ye-jin had gone out of her way to find the highly sought-after Aurora Ping toy as a Christmas gift for So-yul. “It was something even Santa couldn’t find. It became the best Christmas present ever,” she wrote, expressing gratitude.
The mother continued posting affectionate messages on Son Ye-jin’s Instagram, such as “I miss you” and “Fighting,” even joking, “I’ll reveal that she asked for my number.”
Son Ye-jin Responds to the On-set Situation
Amid growing online backlash, Son Ye-jin clarified her stance at the press conference: “The child had many questions, but since I was filming emotionally intense scenes and receiving detailed direction from the director, I had to maintain focus.”
Despite this explanation, online reactions remained divided. Comments ranged from “Isn’t it basic manners to respond to child actors?” to “This is disappointing—she seemed so warm.”
Amid this unexpected controversy, No Other Choice remains on the radar as one of Korea’s major fall releases. The film has been officially invited to compete at the Venice International Film Festival, further raising expectations.
The plot follows Mansu (played by Lee Byung-hun), a middle-aged employee who loses his job and finds himself fighting to protect his family and their home. It marks Son Ye-jin’s comeback after giving birth and is set to premiere in Korea this September.
Sources: daum
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