[Interview①] Lee Byung-hun: "'Namsan's Mr. Butler' Resembles 'A Bittersweet Life'"

[Lee Isul, Entertainment Reporter]

Actor Lee Byung-hun said that 'The Man Standing Next' resembles 'A Bittersweet Life.'

On the afternoon of the 16th, Lee Byung-hun mentioned 'A Bittersweet Life' (2005) during an interview held at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, ahead of the release of the film 'The Man Standing Next' (directed by Woo Min-ho).

Lee Byung-hun gained attention not only domestically but also internationally through 'A Bittersweet Life.' The film later became a stepping stone for his entry into Hollywood. At that time, Hollywood insiders who took notice of Lee sent him love calls, which led to his debut in the United States. Lee Byung-hun especially shines in the noir genre.

On this day, Lee Byung-hun said, "'The Man Standing Next' is the work of mine that most resembles 'A Bittersweet Life,'" adding, "Noir mainly revolves around emotions such as loyalty, betrayal, and love-hate. I always have the desire to express those emotions through acting."

He also said, "When choosing a film, I first look at the story and then the character I will play. With 'The Man Standing Next,' I first thought I wanted to portray Kim Gyu-pyeong's emotions," and added, "The delicate psychological drama and the dramatic conflicts between characters felt very appealing to me," explaining his reason for participating.

'The Man Standing Next' is a film depicting the 40 days before Kim Gyu-pyeong (played by Lee Byung-hun), the director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency and the second most powerful figure at the time, carried out the assassination of the President of South Korea in 1979. The film is directed by Woo Min-ho, who also directed 'Inside Men.'

At 7:40 p.m. on October 26, 1979, at the Central Intelligence Agency residence in Gungjeong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency assassinated the President. This event marked the end of an 18-year-long dictatorship and is recorded as a major event in modern Korean history. The film is based on a non-fiction bestseller, which was adapted from investigative reports serialized over two months by writer Kim Choong-sik while working as a journalist. Director Woo Min-ho focused on the October 26 incident from the extensive original work to create the film. It will be released on January 22.

Reporter Lee Isul

Photo=Showbox

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.