Released on September 24, No Other Choice has taken over the box office, telling the story of Man Soo (Lee Byung Hun), a man who loses his job and struggles to protect his wife Mi Ri (Son Ye Jin) and family while battling through a bizarre job-hunting war to reclaim his life.
In the film, Son Ye Jin plays Mi Ri, a wife who, after witnessing her husband’s downfall, makes an irreversible choice to safeguard her family. This project marks the first time she has worked alongside Lee Byung Hun, with the two portraying a troubled couple whose comical yet painful quarrels became a highlight of the film. Their childish arguments—such as forcing each other to smell underwear or bad breath—offered both hilarity and relatability, adding depth to their relationship on screen.
Speaking about these scenes, Son Ye Jin admitted comedy was a challenge. “Comedy acting is the hardest. Since No Other Choice isn’t outright comedy but a dark comedy, the rhythm was very important, and that pressure was there,” she explained, noting that the reconciliation scene, where the couple compliments each other’s looks after fighting, took multiple takes to perfect.
However, off-screen, a lighthearted joke from Lee Byung Hun caused unexpected trouble. At a press event, he jokingly remarked that Son Ye Jin sometimes ignored children’s words on set. The playful comment sparked misunderstanding, unintentionally putting Son Ye Jin in an awkward position.
Son Ye Jin clarified, “If you’re not close, you can’t joke like that. We’ve known each other for a long time, and our humor is something we share. But outsiders didn’t understand that context, so it was misunderstood.” She recalled how Lee Byung Hun exaggerated a small moment when she once didn’t answer during communication with the director, simply for comedic effect. “None of us thought it would be taken that way, and even the reporters who were there probably didn’t expect it,” she added.
She revealed that Lee Byung Hun later apologized profusely. “He just wanted to make people laugh, and honestly, I found it funny too. Afterward, within our team, we jokingly declared a ban on comedy attempts because of that incident,” she laughed.
With their on-screen chemistry drawing praise for its realism and bittersweet humor, Son Ye Jin and Lee Byung Hun have brought audiences both laughter and empathy. No Other Choice is currently showing in theaters.
Sources: Daum
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