Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice Opens 30th Busan International Film Festival

Park Chan-wook's new black comedy thriller, "No Other Choice," will open the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in September 2025, marking the director's return to feature filmmaking after three years. The film, starring Lee Byung-hun as Man-soo and Son Ye-jin as his wife, is based on Donald Westlake's novel "The Ax" and follows a middle-aged man who, after sudden job loss, resorts to eliminating rivals to secure employment. The film has garnered significant anticipation, also set to compete for the Golden Lion at the Venice International Film Festival before its domestic release via CJ ENM. BIFF celebrates its 30th anniversary with a historic shift to a competitive format featuring 14 Asian films contending for five major awards, aiming to boost global interest in Korean cinema. Lee Byung-hun will make history as the first male actor to solo host the BIFF opening ceremony, reflecting his long-standing association with the festival. Organizers emphasize the film's selection as a symbol of revitalizing Korean cinema at a pivotal moment, with the festival running from September 17 to 26 across various venues in Busan.