Park Chan-wook: "'JSA' Still Resonates After 25 Years"

연합뉴스 / 2025-02-05 07:01:10

▲ Director Park Chan-wook delivers opening remarks ahead of the Joint Security Area (JSA) audience Q&A (GV) event held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on February 4, 2025. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Feb. 5 (Yonhap) -- "It is somewhat saddening that this film can still evoke the same emotions in today's younger generation. I hope that by the 50th anniversary of its release, it will simply be remembered as a story from the past."

Director Park Chan-wook shared this sentiment during a Q&A session for "Joint Security Area (JSA)", held on Tuesday at the Park Chan-wook Theater in CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall, Seoul.

The event was organized to commemorate JSA being named one of CJ ENM's "Visionary" selections. Joining Park were lead actors Song Kang-ho, Lee Byung-hun, Lee Young-ae, and Kim Tae-woo. The Visionary project celebrates works that have reshaped the cultural landscape as part of CJ ENM’s 30th anniversary in the industry. In the film category, JSA was selected alongside Bong Joon-ho’s "Snowpiercer" (2013) and "Parasite" (2019).

▲ The director and cast members pose for a photo ahead of the Joint Security Area (JSA) audience Q&A (GV) event held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on February 4, 2025. From left: actor Lee Byung-hun, actress Lee Young-ae, director Park Chan-wook, actor Kim Tae-woo, and actor Song Kang-ho. (Yonhap)

Released in 2000, JSA attracted 5.8 million viewers with its story of the friendship and tragic fate of North and South Korean soldiers stationed on opposite sides of the Bridge of No Return. Its poignant depiction of Korea's painful division and the humanity that persists within it, coupled with a tightly woven narrative, solidified JSA as one of Korea’s most iconic films. It also gained international attention when it was invited to compete at the 51st Berlin International Film Festival.

For Park Chan-wook, JSA marked a turning point in his career. After struggling with the box office failures of his first two films, "The Moon Is… the Sun’s Dream" (1992) and "Trio" (1997), Park approached JSA with a sense of urgency. "I made this film with the desperate belief that if I failed again, JSA would be my last work," he recalled. "This movie saved me."

The film also launched its lead actors into stardom. Over the past 25 years, Song Kang-ho and Lee Byung-hun have headlined major productions and become globally recognized stars.

Song Kang-ho reflected, "JSA was the first true 'prime of my life' moment in my career. Throughout my 30 years as an actor, I’ve had my share of ups and downs, but this film made me realize, ‘Wow, I can actually look this cool on screen.’"

In the film, Song plays Sergeant Oh Kyung-pil, a North Korean soldier torn between his patriotic duty and his growing bond with South Korean troops. Despite his now-legendary status in Korean cinema, Song initially rejected the role. "The script was so meticulously structured and pursued perfection, but I had my doubts," he admitted. "I wondered if Korean cinema could actually bring it to life. What if it ended up as a disappointment?"

Lee Byung-hun, who played South Korean Sergeant Lee Soo-hyuk, saw JSA as his first taste of real box office success. Unlike his career in television, his early attempts at film largely underperformed. "JSA was the movie that finally made me a bankable film actor," he said.

▲ Actor Lee Byung-hun poses for a photo ahead of the Joint Security Area (JSA) audience Q&A (GV) event held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on February 4, 2025. CJ ENM has selected Joint Security Area (JSA) as a Visionary work in celebration of its 30th anniversary. (Yonhap)

Lee vividly remembers his first time watching the completed film. "I was so overwhelmed with emotion at the premiere 25 years ago. I loved the experience of laughing and crying with the audience so much that I ended up watching it in theaters over 40 times," he revealed.

Even after decades of global success, JSA remains a defining work for Lee. "Whenever I introduce myself overseas, JSA is always one of the first films I mention," he said. "Even today, younger movie fans don’t talk about Korean cinema without mentioning JSA."

▲ Actress Lee Young-ae poses for a photo ahead of the Joint Security Area (JSA) audience Q&A (GV) event held at CGV Yongsan I’Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on February 4, 2025. CJ ENM has selected Joint Security Area (JSA) as a Visionary work in celebration of its 30th anniversary. (Yonhap)

Lee Young-ae, who played the Swiss-Korean major Sophie, formed a lasting collaboration with Park Chan-wook through the film. She later starred in his 2005 film Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. "Meeting JSA at the end of my twenties allowed me to take on many great projects in my thirties, including Lady Vengeance. It was a miraculous film for me," she said. However, she joked, "I feel like I could play Sophie even better now. I wish I could re-edit my scenes!"

Kim Tae-woo, who portrayed Private Nam Sung-shik, Lee Soo-hyuk’s replacement, shared a different perspective, saying, "If I were to redo my role today, I don’t think I could recapture the same feelings," he admitted. "At the pre-release technical screening, I remember thinking, ‘I’m just grateful to be part of such a great film.’ It felt like a stroke of luck."