Anchor: South Korean film director Park Chan-wook's black comedy thriller "No Other Choice" took home six awards at the 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards, including best director, best actress for Son Ye-jin and best supporting actor for Lee Sung-min. Son also made headlines alongside her husband, Hyun Bin, after he won best actor for his role in the wartime drama "Harbin."
Choi You Sun reports.

Report: Cannes-winning director Park Chan-wook's black comedy thriller "No Other Choice" swept this year's Blue Dragon Film Awards.

The film, starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, took home six prizes from the 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards ceremony on Wednesday at KBS Hall in Seoul.

Park took best director, Son won best actress and Lee Sung-min won best supporting actor. The film also won best picture, the technical award and best music.

[Sound bite: Actor Son Ye-jin (Korean-English)]
"'No Other Choice' was my first film in seven years. When Director Park Chan-wook asked me to join the project, I was thrilled but also a little worried. I’m grateful that he shaped the character of Miri so beautifully. Since getting married and becoming a mother, my perspective on the world has shifted. I hope to be a good person, and also an actor who continues to grow."

With Park and Lee Byung-hun both attending the American Cinematheque's retrospective of the former in Los Angeles, Lee Sung-min read the director's written acceptance speech.

[Sound bite: Actor Lee Sung-min (Korean-English)]
"'No Other Choice' is a film that fulfills a dream I’ve carried for 20 years, ever since I first read the novel ["The Ax" by Donald E. Westlake] it’s based on. I can’t express how proud I am that we were able to make this story as a Korean film. That pride comes from having worked with actors and staff who brought the project to life far beyond what I had imagined. Our aim was to make a film that feels simple and comic at first, yet grows more complex and tragic when revisited. I believe the jury recognized that intention, and I accept this award with deep gratitude."

"No Other Choice" is a dark thriller about a man named Man-su, played by Lee Byung-hun, who desperately searches for a new job after being fired from a paper company.

This is Park's fourth best director prize from the Blue Dragon Film Awards after the 2000 mystery thriller "Joint Security Area," the 2003 neo-noir thriller "Old Boy" and the 2022 neo-noir romantic mystery "Decision to Leave," with the latter two earning him Cannes prizes.

Hyun Bin, Son's husband, won best actor for his portrayal of independence fighter Ahn Jung-geun in director Woo Min-ho's period drama "Harbin," and the two actors became the first married couple in the ceremony's history to win the top acting prizes in the same year.
Choi You Sun, KBS World Radio News.