▲ Actor Lee Byung-hun (L), filmmaker Park Chan-wook attend the the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Sept. 8, 2025. (Reuter/Yonhap) (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) -- Actor Lee Byung-hun has become the first Korean actor to receive a special tribute award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).

According to TIFF’s official website on Friday, Lee received the "TIFF Tribute Award" on Monday (local time), alongside director Guillermo del Toro, filmmaker Hikari and actress Jodie Foster, in recognition of his contributions to the advancement of cinema. 

Director Park Chan-wook, who was invited to the festival with Lee’s starring film "Out of Necessity," presented the award.

"This is not a prize given to me alone, but recognition of the proud achievements and development of Korean culture. I humbly accept it," Lee said in his acceptance speech.

"Out of Necessity," screened as part of the festival’s gala premiere section, also held a Q&A session with Park and Lee on Sept. 9-10.

After the screening, CJ ENM quoted Park as saying, "I was deeply grateful and proud to see the audience laugh and cry even at parts I thought would be too subtle for a first viewing."

Lee said, "The enthusiastic reaction throughout the screening overwhelmed me. I was struck by the audience’s detailed responses and felt their deep affection for the film."

"Out of Necessity," set to open in local theaters on Sept. 24, topped the Korean box office reservation chart with over 177,000 advance ticket sales as of 8 p.m. Wednesday. It will also premiere in Asia as the opening film of the 30th Busan International Film Festival on Sept. 17.

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