Actor Lee Byung-hun on Sept. 19 reflects on his career at the Actors' House, a program of Busan International Film Festival, at Dongseo University's Sohyang Theater in Busan's Haeundae-gu District.

By Xu Aiying
Photos = Busan International Film Festival

Actor Lee Byung-hun, marking his 35th year in his profession, has reflected on his career and shared stories of his acting and work abroad.

On Sept. 19, he spoke at the Actors' House, a program of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), at Dongseo University's Sohyang Theater in Busan's Haeundae-gu District. Prominent actors with high skills and star quality spoke with candor about their performances and works.

Though a popular domestic actor for over three decades, Lee has garnered much attention this year for his roles in the film "The Match" (2025) and the second and third seasons of the smash series "Squid Game," as well as his voice acting in the animated blockbusters "KPop Demon Hunters" and "King of Kings."

Assuming the role of the Front Man in real life, he played the lead in "No Other Choice," the opening film of this year's BIFF, and hosted the festival's opening ceremony solo.

On his secret to choosing global hits, Lee said, "I think that for 'Squid Game' and 'KPop Demon Hunters,' it wasn't just me but also most of those who participated," adding, "The creators might've started with big ambition, but I played a minor role and never expected such works to gain this much love and popularity to become a phenomenon."

"I was very lucky," he added humbly. "When selecting a work, I'm always nervous and think a lot. But in the end, my attitude is 'I don't know,' and I'd rather just do it than not and regret it afterwards."

The actor mentioned a time when he was insecure about his voice, a surprising confession given his voice acting in numerous works.

"When people complimented my voice, I initially thought it was a joke," he said. "I tell my junior colleagues that what they consider their flaws may actually be their greatest strengths."

"My voice is my strength, so I wonder why they altered my voice in 'Squid Game' and 'KPop Demon Hunters,'" he said, eliciting laughter from the audience. 

Actor Lee Byung-hun on Sept. 19 speaks at the Actors' House, a program of the Busan International Film Festival, at Dongseo University's Sohyang Theater in Busan's Haeundae-gu District.

Lee recalled the early years of his career, when he was nicknamed a "no-hit actor," and his relationship with director Park Chan-wook. Lee is now a leading actor with major roles in works with both critical acclaim and bankability.

"Back then, if a new director's film failed, he or she would no longer receive investment, and if an actor had two or more works that bombed, no more casting offers would come," Lee said. "It was a miracle that director Park and I, who were both in a similar situation, worked on our next film together. A failed director and a failed actor thus teamed up and decided to work together, and the result was 'Joint Security Area' (2000)."

He said he worked with Park again for the first time in a while in "No Other Choice," adding that he is still learning from the director.

"I learn so many insights when working with director Park," the actor said. "He uses ideas that come to his mind in a moment, and they contain not only humor but also meaning. I think it's amazing that he keeps coming up with such thoughts constantly."

Once an actor with no hit films, Lee is now a global star and the Front Man of Korean cinema.

xuaiy@korea.kr