Park Chan-Wook’s ‘No Other Choice’ to Open the 2025 Busan International Film Festival
Park Chan-wook's 'No Other Choice' Courtesy of Busan IFF / NEON
The black comedy thriller from the Cannes-winning director marks his long-awaited return to Korean screens with an A-list cast and a Venice-to-Busan festival run.
South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook is officially returning to the Busan International Film Festival in grand fashion. His latest film No Other Choice, starring Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin, will serve as the Opening Night selection for BIFF’s milestone 30th edition, running September 17–26.
Fresh off its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, No Other Choice marks Park’s first feature since his 2022 Cannes winner Decision to Leave. This time, the master of stylized genre cinema returns with a black comedy thriller adapted from Donald Westlake’s novel The Ax. The story centers on Man-su (Lee Byung-hun), a once-successful man whose life spirals after an unexpected job loss, threatening his family, his home, and his sanity. What unfolds is a darkly satirical descent into desperation, drenched in Park’s signature tension and visual flair.
Son Ye-jin plays Miri, Man-su’s wife, in her first major film role since the global phenomenon Crash Landing on You. The ensemble cast also features Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, and Cha Seung-won. As the festival’s centerpiece, the film brings together two of Korea’s biggest stars in a tale that questions what people are willing to sacrifice when they have “no other choice.”
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Adding to the significance, star Lee Byung-hun will also serve as host of BIFF’s opening ceremony, elevating the festival’s global appeal. “I am deeply moved and excited to experience the premiere of Park Chan-wook’s desired project alongside diverse audiences,” said BIFF director Jung Han-seok in an official statement. “I sincerely hope that its selection will build meaningful momentum to garner greater attention and foster renewed interest in Korean cinema.”
No Other Choice is set to be one of the most talked-about Korean films of the year, with its Venice debut positioning it for global distribution and potential awards season conversation. For now, the film’s Busan opening cements Park Chan-wook’s status as one of the defining voices of 21st-century international cinema—and reaffirms Busan’s role as Asia’s most essential film festival platform.
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