Lee Byung Hun opened up about his experience working with Yoo Ah In for the first time in The Match, revealing that he was curious about him but didn’t have much time to connect.

On March 19, Lee Byung Hun attended a press conference after the media screening of The Match at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. There, he shared his thoughts on acting alongside Yoo Ah In.

Yoo Ah In, who was previously sentenced to one year in prison for habitual drug use, was released on probation in February after serving five months in custody.

When asked about his thoughts on working with Yoo Ah In, Lee Byung Hun said, “When I first heard about the casting for The Match, I had high expectations. I thought, ‘This is going to be a fun shoot.’”

He added, “Since this was my first time working with Yoo Ah In, I was curious about him. But he was more reserved than I expected. We didn’t talk much or have a lot of group gatherings, so we didn’t really get to know each other well.”

Despite this, Lee Byung Hun praised Yoo Ah In’s dedication, saying, “On set, he was very focused on his role. During rehearsals, he showed a serious side, which made it easy for me to immerse myself in the scenes.”

Meanwhile, The Match is set to premiere on March 26. The film tells the story of Go legend Cho Hun Hyun (played by Lee Byung Hun), who, after losing to his protégé, fights to reclaim his position at the top.

Source: [1]

Director Kim Hyung Joo of The Match has finally shared his thoughts on Yoo Ah In’s involvement in a drug scandal, calling it a major disappointment, especially considering the actor’s role as the lead in the film.

On March 19th, the director attended a press screening and briefing for The Match at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Alongside Kim, actors Lee Byung Hun, Ko Chang Seok, Hyun Bong Sik, Moon Jung Hee, and Jo Woo Jin were present to discuss the film.

The Match revolves around the legendary Go player Cho Hun Hyun (played by Lee Byung Hun), who, after a loss to his disciple, decides to challenge the top players again, driven by his competitive spirit. The movie is directed by Kim Hyung Joo.

Lee Byung Hun plays the iconic Go champion Cho Hun Hyun, while Yoo Ah In portrays his disciple, Lee Chang Ho.

During the event, Kim recalled the casting process, saying, "When we were casting, Lee Byung Hun was cast first. Just having him felt like we had the world, and then, getting Yoo Ah In as a bonus made me even happier."

Although filming wrapped up in 2021, Yoo Ah In's drug scandal led to the indefinite postponement of the film’s release. Now, nearly four years later, The Match is finally set to hit theaters on March 26th.

Reflecting on Yoo Ah In's scandal, Director Kim openly shared his frustration, calling it "irresponsible and disappointing" for the actor to make such a mistake as the lead.

He added, “Before being an actor, he made a mistake as a member of society and was punished, so I don’t think there’s much more to say.” Kim smiled bitterly as he spoke.

Describing the challenges he faced due to the scandal, Kim compared the experience to being trapped in "a hellish tunnel."

He said, "There was nothing I could do inside, so it was overwhelming. But now that we have the light of release, it feels like I can breathe. I’m deeply moved."

The director also shared that because Yoo Ah In was the lead actor, the film had to be released as it was, without editing. This has led some people to feel uneasy about watching the film, given the actor’s scandal.

When asked about this, Director Kim said, "Choosing and judging is up to the audience, so I can't force anything. But I hope they watch the movie as it is. I unintentionally got hurt before the release, so I hope people watch the movie warmly, as if applying ointment to a wound."

The Match will officially be released on March 26th.

Source: [1]