Park Chan-wook: "I ran to hug Song Kang-ho... Thanks to coming for a different movie, we received the award together"

'Joint Security Area JSA', 'The Unjust', and 'Thirst' Collaborated by Chungmuro's 'Famous Combo'
Won Best Director for 'Decision to Leave' and Best Actor at Cannes for 'Broker' respectively

Director Park Chan-wook, who won the Best Director Award, and Song Kang-ho, who received the Best Actor Award at the 75th Cannes International Film Festival. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] On the 28th (local time) at the 75th Cannes International Film Festival held in Cannes, France, director Park Chan-wook, who won the Best Director award for "Decision to Leave," said to the domestic press, "If Song Kang-ho and I had come with the same film, it would have been difficult for us to receive awards together," adding, "Thanks to coming separately, it seems that we were able to receive awards together."

Director Park Chan-wook, who received his third trophy at the Cannes International Film Festival, and actor Song Kang-ho, who won the first Best Actor award for a Korean actor, stood side by side in front of the press.

Song Kang-ho said, "I am an actor who has worked with Director Park for a long time, and since he also received the Jury Prize for 'Thirst,' I have special feelings," adding, "When my name was called as the awardee and I stood up, the director ran over and hugged me, which was so touching that I will never forget it."

Director Park also added, "I found myself running across the corridor without realizing it," and said, "I have appeared in many good films over time, and as I waited, the time to receive the Best Actor award finally came."

Director Park and Song Kang-ho are representative 'close friends' in the film industry who have built a special camaraderie by working together on films such as "Joint Security Area (JSA)," "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance," and "Thirst."

Director Park Chan-wook and actor Song Kang-ho working together on the set of the movie 'Thirst'. Photo by CJ Entertainment

Song Kang-ho continued, "You cannot act just to receive an award, and no actor does that," adding, "By continuously challenging good works, there is a process of being invited to and winning awards at the best film festivals, but I do not think it is an absolute value."

He also emphasized, "I received the award as a representative from an ensemble of gem-like actors such as Gang Dong-won, Bae Doona, Lee Ji-eun, and Lee Joo-young," and said, "I will always contemplate and strive on what attitude and stance I should have as an actor in the future."

When asked by the press if he was disappointed about not winning the Palme d'Or, Director Park said, "Ratings do not necessarily lead to award results. We know that well because of our experience."

Song Kang-ho added, "Still, receiving the highest ratings (from foreign media) is definitely meaningful," and said, "Of course, Director Park received the tremendous Best Director award, but I think it is an award with a meaning beyond the Palme d'Or."

Earlier, "Decision to Leave" was first screened at the Cannes Film Festival on the 23rd and was considered a strong candidate for the Palme d'Or, receiving the highest score of 3.2 among the competition films in the festival newsletter Screen Daily.

At this event, the two also shared their own views on why the overseas film industry is paying attention to Korean films.

Director Park analyzed, "Korean audiences are not easily satisfied with just any film. They want laughter, horror, and emotion all within genre films," adding, "I think Korean cinema has developed this way because we have endured a lot."

He continued, "My film features Chinese actors, and 'Broker' was written and directed by a Japanese director. The exchange of human resources and capital in Asia is meaningful," emphasizing, "In the 60s and 70s, Europe joined forces to make good films, and I hope that Korea will take the lead in activating this kind of exchange."

Song Kang-ho said, "When I meet foreign reporters, the most common question I hear is 'Why do you think Korean films are so dynamic?'" and added, "I think the constant effort to challenge and change has influenced cultural content."

The two also exchanged witty conversations about their next projects. When asked by the press if he planned to work with Song Kang-ho again, Director Park smiled and said, "Just don't refuse. As long as there is time, it's possible." Song Kang-ho responded, "It's been too long since our 'Thirst.' It's been 13 years."

Meanwhile, "Broker" is scheduled to meet domestic audiences on the 8th of next month, and "Decision to Leave" on the 29th of the same month.

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