[Exclusive] Conversation with Song Kang-ho and Lee Byung-hun at Cannes: "Korean Films Imprinted Worldwide" (Interview)

74th Cannes Film Festival On-Site Coverage
Song Kang-ho and Lee Byung-hun Met in Cannes

[Cannes (France) = Asia Economy Reporter Lee Isul] "Nice to meet you. Oh? No, you’re a familiar reporter. Haha." Song Kang-ho, a jury member at the Cannes Film Festival, was busy. Just after finishing an interview with the festival staff and sitting down at the table, he suddenly recognized that the reporter was from Korea and brightened up. Taking a sip of water, he reminisced about the last time he met with us at the Academy (Oscar) event and shared his thoughts.

The moment when Parasite won the Palme d'Or at Cannes feels vivid as if it were yesterday. I remember being greatly surprised and delighted while covering the historic scene on site. At that time, Song Kang-ho went to the press room and gave a big round of applause to director Bong Joon-ho with a bright smile. Meeting Song Kang-ho again at Cannes after 2 years and 2 months, he was different. Compared to then, he was more relaxed and even his appearance had transformed into a 'Cannes style.'

Lee Byung-hun gave the impression of being an actor who shines especially overseas. With a neat hairstyle and a tailored suit, plus fluent English skills, he exuded confidence on the international stage. Even while handling interviews with foreign media, he warmly cared for the Korean press, showing the true dignity of a 'world-class' star. As the first actor to present an award at the closing ceremony, the title alone was a heavy burden. He said, "I'm nervous," but once on stage, he delivered the presentation smoothly in fluent French and English with humor.

The 74th Cannes Film Festival, held under the July sky, was hotter than ever. The festival resumed after 2 years and 2 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The passion of filmmakers worldwide for the long-awaited films gathered at the Lumi?re Theater. Excellent films from around the world competed brilliantly in the competition section. Unfortunately, it was a festival that even took away the hope of hearing Korean films and filmmakers' names at the closing ceremony, but looking at the lineup of competing works and directors, the competition was fiercer than ever.

The festival also held special significance in Korean film history. Actor Song Kang-ho served as a jury member, and Lee Byung-hun appeared as a presenter at the closing ceremony. Both were remarkable achievements as the first male actors to do so. Especially, director Bong Joon-ho, who won the Palme d'Or for the first time for a Korean film with Parasite at the 72nd Cannes International Film Festival in 2019, made a surprise appearance at this year's opening ceremony and declared the opening in Korean. It was a festival that left the first footprints of a 'world-class' director and actor opening and closing the event and participating in the jury.

Who would have imagined? To see Korean filmmakers casually stepping onto the Cannes stage in the local press room. Even without a competing nominee, that alone was enough for coverage. Moving away from following issues around works, we were able to broadly cover overseas films, the atmosphere, and filmmakers from around the world gathered amid the pandemic. This was the first festival held after Parasite’s win. Covering on site, I felt that the perspective on Korean films had changed compared to two years ago.

During the 74th Cannes International Film Festival, we met Song Kang-ho and Lee Byung-hun separately at a caf? inside a hotel in Cannes, a southern French city, to ask about changes in their views on Korean cinema and their experiences as actors on the international stage. The leading figures of Parasite and the first jury member Song Kang-ho, and the first-generation world star Lee Byung-hun, who starred in Hollywood, both felt that "Korean films have definitely left an impression on global audiences."

On the way to interview Song Kang-ho, BTS’s song was playing along the luxury shopping street by the beach. "This is Cannes, not Busan." It felt strange. Someone said that almost everyone dreaming of films keeps the day they go to the Cannes Film Festival in their hearts. Receiving an invitation to Cannes is a great honor. But even just 10 years ago, or rather 5 years ago, the temperature of Cannes toward Korean films was different from now. What happened in between? We met the two leading figures driving this change, Song Kang-ho and Lee Byung-hun.

=While covering on site, you must have felt that the global film community’s perspective on Korean films has changed since Parasite. What do you feel as actors on the international stage?

Song Kang-ho “I feel that Cannes pays special attention to director Bong Joon-ho and me. Spike Lee, the jury president, also showed a lot of interest. He brought a Parasite poster and asked me to sign it. Then he said, ‘I should get Bong Joon-ho’s autograph, but he returned home yesterday,’ expressing regret. Of course, we are all on friendly terms. I met director Bong occasionally during the Parasite Oscar race.”

Lee Byung-hun “I feel how influential our films are worldwide. I can act with great pride in what I do. If our film industry grows, it’s good for me and even better for the juniors. Now is the time to show the world ‘this is Korean content.’ I think interest in domestic content will continue. If you think back, there was a time when only film enthusiasts cared about Mexican films like those by director Inarritu. But now we all know Mexican films are excellent. There are many great directors. I think now it’s our turn.”

=Is Parasite still the first thing that comes to mind when people think of ‘Korean films’? What do you feel on site?

Song Kang-ho “I heard that in South America, it was not easy to access Korean films, but that has changed. Korean films are gaining interest in South America and the Middle East, including Iran and Brazil. Korean films were very rare in those regions. What I definitely feel is that the barriers to our films have disappeared. In that sense, people talk a lot about Parasite. Some say Parasite was their first Korean film. They say that after that, they started looking for more Korean films. Many people tell me that directly.”

=Parasite won the Palme d'Or for the first time for a Korean film at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival in 2019. Lee Byung-hun, as the original world star who has worked hard and starred in Hollywood, must have special feelings about Parasite’s glory.

Lee Byung-hun “Of course, I was jealous. Haha. I remember cheering while watching the live broadcast at home early in the morning. It was an amazing event, and I thought it was really great. Especially seeing director Bong Joon-ho and actor Song Kang-ho on the same stage at the closing ceremony, I felt, ‘Wow, something incredible has happened.’”

=Have you felt a change in how domestic content is viewed on site?

Lee Byung-hun “At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, while interviewing foreign journalists, I realized that trust in Korean content has increased. Even though they are film reporters, they couldn’t have watched all my previous works, but they showed a deep understanding of my past roles. It was a first impression. From various conversations, I felt there is a fundamental trust in Korean content.”

attends EMERGENCY DECLARATION PHOTO SHOOT during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on July 15, 2021 in Cannes, France.
attends the EMERGENCY DECLARATION photo session during the 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival at the Palais des Festivals on July 15, 2021 in Cannes, France.

=When and why do you think the perspective on Korean films changed?

Song Kang-ho “Over the past 20 years, I think Cannes Film Festival has witnessed the development and remarkable growth of Korean cinema. I have been watching this process for 20 years. Outstanding directors and artists like Lee Chang-dong, Hong Sang-soo, Bong Joon-ho, and Park Chan-wook continuously produce great works. I feel the perspective has changed. Among the jury members, some say they are fans of Korean films and ask not just greetings but specific ways to work in Korea. I feel that Korean films have definitely been imprinted on filmmakers and audiences worldwide.”

=This year’s Cannes Film Festival opened with difficulty. At the Lumi?re Theater, entry was only allowed with tuxedos and dresses plus masks. The global film industry is watching Cannes closely. This is a turning point for whether film festivals will resume or not. How was it during the jury?

Song Kang-ho “The quarantine rules were so strict that I had to take PCR tests regularly at temporary screening clinics. Entry was only allowed with a negative result. All audiences had to wear masks while watching films at the Lumi?re Theater. Everyone had to wear masks indoors at the Palais des Festivals. Although it proceeded under strict quarantine rules, the passionate atmosphere was no different from previous Cannes festivals. Seeing people enjoy the festival without shrinking was really enviable. The passion is still hot. I hope Korea will be like that soon.”

Lee Byung-hun “Honestly, when I first heard about the invitation, I was half in doubt whether I could come to Cannes this year. Fortunately, I was vaccinated, but I came with a worried heart. When I arrived, I was surprised. The picturesque sky and the happy faces of filmmakers felt surreal. As a film lover, coming to a festival after a long time, standing on the red carpet, and meeting many filmmakers made me really happy. I hope this time never ends.”

=Song Kang-ho and Lee Byung-hun, two top actors leading the film industry, starred together in the movie Emergency Declaration. The film revealed through a press screening was very interesting. Many are curious about the film just because the two appeared together.

Lee Byung-hun “I was happy to work with Song Kang-ho again after a long time. I was looking forward to how fun our film would be. This project was really good and will be remembered as a meaningful work in many ways.”

Song Kang-ho “Working with Lee Byung-hun gave me tremendous trust. This is my third project with director Han Jae-rim after The Elegant World (2007) and The Face Reader (2013). The script was good, and the actors were reliable, so I felt I could act with peace of mind. Emergency Declaration is a film that makes you think about our neighbors and family. I believe it will help discover precious values, values about people and society, through Emergency Declaration.”

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