Actor Lee Byung-hun makes his return to the big screen with “The Match.”
On Thursday, distributor By4M Studio released still cuts from the upcoming film. “The Match” follows the story of Korea’s greatest Go legend, Cho Hun-hyun (played by Lee), who, after losing a match against his protégé, embarks on a journey to reclaim his dominance through sheer competitive spirit.
Set in the 1990s, when Go was revered as the ultimate intellectual sport, the film portrays Cho as a global sports icon on par with modern-day stars like Kim Yuna, Park Ji-sung and Son Heung-min. Given the film’s historical and biographical nature, the casting process was meticulous. Director Kim Hyung-ju revealed, “From the moment I wrote the first page of the script, I knew Lee Byung-hun was the perfect fit. His ability to convey the confidence of a master, the devastation of defeat and the determination to rise again is unmatched. Watching him on set, fully immersed in the character down to the trembling of his eyes over the Go board, reaffirmed that he was the only choice.”
With promotional materials such as posters and trailers now released, audiences have been buzzing about Lee’s striking resemblance to a young Cho. Many online reactions compare his transformation to a seamless overlay of the real-life Go master. Lee admitted that, initially, he had little interest in the project. “Before reading the script, I didn’t know much about Go, so I wasn’t particularly drawn to the story,” he said. However, after finishing the script, he was captivated by its dramatic appeal. “Even audiences unfamiliar with Go will find it immersive,” he added, explaining why he ultimately took on the role.
To perfect his portrayal, Lee meticulously studied materials provided by the production team and met Cho in person. “I worked hard to make the matches believable, even for those who don’t understand the rules. My focus was on conveying the psychological tension through subtle, detailed expressions,” he said. “I paid special attention to making sure that even viewers who don’t know Go can still grasp the intensity of the game through emotion.”
“The Match” is set to premiere nationwide on March 26.
