Director Kim Hyung Joo, who helmed the film 'The Match,' recently shared his memories of working with lead actor Yoo Ah In.
'The Match' is a character-driven drama depicting the legendary rivalry between Go Master Cho Hun Hyun and his disciple, Lee Chang Ho. Speaking with Ilgan Sports, director Kim stated, "I’m not the type to maintain frequent contact, so I haven’t reached out to him since the drug scandal. The only time I saw Yoo Ah In was when he attended my father’s funeral last year."
He added, "He told me, ‘I’ve committed an unforgivable sin.’ Given the circumstances, we couldn’t have a long conversation."
Originally, 'The Match' was planned for a Netflix release in 2023, but the project was derailed when Yoo Ah In became embroiled in a legal investigation over propofol use. As a result, the distribution plan shifted to a theatrical release, and the film finally hit theaters on March 26.
Reflecting on the journey, Kim Hyung Joo shared, "I have mixed emotions. It was a difficult period, but it has passed. Since we had initially worked on this as a Netflix film, adjusting it for theaters gave me a fresh perspective on the actors' performances and the finer details. I’m satisfied with the final result."
Although the movie revolves around the game Go, Kim Hyung Joo emphasized that "the heart of the story lies in the drama between the two main characters." To ensure accessibility, he meticulously studied Monthly Go magazines from the 1970s and crafted the film with techniques such as extreme close-ups and sports-broadcast-style cinematography.
Regarding casting, director Kim revealed, "I cast Lee Byung Hun first. Yoo Ah In’s appearance and acting style were quite different from Lee Byung Hun’s, but he held his own against Lee Byung Hun’s powerful presence."
He praised Yoo Ah In’s performance, saying, "He brought the character to life exceptionally well. Despite everything that happened, I don’t want to let the controversy overshadow his acting. As for Lee Byung Hun, while he initially didn’t resemble Cho Hun Hyun much, once filming began, he embodied the role perfectly."
Recalling the challenges leading up to the film’s release, Kim Hyung Joo admitted, "There was nothing I could do but drink. It took time to accept the situation." However, he has since found peace, stating, "Yoo Ah In made mistakes, and he should face the consequences. I hope he rehabilitates for his own sake."
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