Lee Byung-hun Reflects on Casting for 'Joint Security Area' at CJ ENM 30th Anniversary Event

On February 4, 2025, a special screening event for the film 'Joint Security Area' (공동경비구역 JSA), selected as a Visionary work for CJ ENM's 30th anniversary, took place at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul. During the event, actor Lee Byung-hun reminisced about his casting experience for the film. He candidly shared, "When I first received the offer for this project, I didn't have high expectations for director Park Chan-wook."

Released in 2000, 'Joint Security Area' is a film by Park Chan-wook that humanizes the realities of the Korean divide, contributing to a shift in public perception regarding inter-Korean relations. The film features prominent actors such as Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, Lee Young-ae, and Kim Tae-woo, who all participated in the event to reflect on the film's significance.

Lee Byung-hun recalled, "I didn't have great expectations for the director at the time of joining the project." He humorously recounted a moment from a major awards ceremony in the U.S. a few years ago, where he was a presenter and Park was a recipient. He joked about their combination being the best possible pairing of actors who had both experienced significant failures in their previous works. Watching the film's final scene brought back vivid memories of the profound emotions he felt 25 years ago.

Having established himself as a box office star through 'Joint Security Area', Lee noted, "After this film was released, I was first introduced at an awards ceremony as 'box office star Lee Byung-hun.' While it was a pleasant introduction, it also felt somewhat rebellious against the industry’s obsession with numbers. I didn't like being referred to solely by figures, perhaps because of the failures of my earlier films."

In addition, CJ ENM, a global powerhouse in intellectual property, announced its Visionary selections to mark its 30th anniversary, expressing its commitment to opening a new chapter in K-culture. Since 2020, the company has recognized individuals across various fields of Korean pop culture, including broadcasting, film, music, and entertainment, who present unique visions based on their originality. This year, 'Joint Security Area' was highlighted as part of the Visionary selections in the film category.