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Actor Lee Byung-hun remembered his initial encounter with director Park Chan-wook 25 years back.

Last month on the 24th, tvN’s variety show *You Quiz on the Block* welcomed Park and Lee, who once again worked together for the movie *No Other Choice*.

The two met in 2000 via the movie *Joint Security Area JSA*. Although they are now icons of South Korean cinema, they were once struggling with extended periods of being unknown. Park had directed two films that failed, while Lee had appeared in four unsuccessful movies. Park mentioned that during this time, he earned a living by working as a critic, appearing on TV shows, and managing a video rental store.

Park said, “Everyone was concerned about Lee, who was really eager for a breakthrough, and I was nervous about how to collaborate with him.” Lee responded, “You were in a more difficult situation.”

He said, “I had failed four times, but my fifth movie, *My Heart’s Harmonica*, was beginning to earn some attention. However, your first two films were such a disaster that people in Chungmuro [the Korean film industry] questioned whether you’d ever get another opportunity.”

Lee recalled his first encounter with Park during a technical preview of his third movie, *Their World*. “An assistant director informed me that a director was waiting, and I went out to see someone in a coat with a ponytail holding a script,” Lee mentioned. “I thought he seemed difficult to approach, but he introduced himself and asked me to read his script for a possible partnership.” Lee initially declined, having heard about Park’s past disappointments.

After resuming his television career and finishing his military service, Lee’s agent provided him with a script just before his release. “I read it without checking who the director was—it was very captivating,” Lee mentioned. “I hesitated because I recalled Park’s ponytail, but the script was strong enough to make me meet him.”

Thinking back, Lee said, “I believe Park had thought about other career paths. He ate rice rolls that my mom prepared while filming. He joked, ‘If your mom opens a rice roll shop, can I get the second location?’ I always sensed he was at the brink.”

Park confirmed, “I genuinely thought about launching a business. If my third movie didn’t succeed, there wouldn’t be another opportunity.”

In contrast to their concerns, *Joint Security Area JSA* became a commercial and critical hit, representing a significant milestone in their respective careers. Park remarked, “I couldn’t believe it—it took some time to really sink in,” while Lee shared, “I was astonished. I kept going to theaters to observe how the audience responded.”

In the meantime, *No Other Choice* portrays a former office employee named Mansu, who is getting ready to return to work while striving to safeguard his family. The movie attracted interest prior to its debut after being selected for renowned events such as the Venice International Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival.