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| ▲ This image of South Korean actor Song Kang-ho is provided by Kidari Studio and Artist United. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Dec. 3 (Yonhap) -- "After portraying characters weighed down and constrained for so long, I yearned for a project that felt as refreshing as mint candy on the tongue. That’s when I encountered the film One Win," shared actor Song Kang-ho during an interview at a cafe in Jongno, Seoul, on December 2.
Directed by Shin Yeon-sik, One Win is a sports drama about Pink Storm, a women’s volleyball team that has always placed last, striving to achieve their first and only victory. It stands apart from Song's heavier, more serious works like Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), Memories of Murder (2003), Thirst (2009), and Parasite (2019).
Song plays Woo-jin, the newly appointed coach of Pink Storm. Initially unskilled and unmotivated, Woo-jin evolves into a strategic leader driven by the desire for a single win. Unlike the commanding, charismatic coaches often seen in sports films, Woo-jin is an ordinary man prone to nagging and frustration, which brings humor to his character.
"This feels like my first time playing such a role since The Foul King (2000). I think audiences will find it refreshing and fun to see me like this again," Song said with a smile.
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| ▲ This still image of film "One Win," provided by Kidari Studio and Artist United, shows shows its lead actor Song Kang-ho (C). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Song wanted to portray a coach who, rather than starting off as a hero, grows alongside his players. "Coaches are human too. Sometimes, they may have thoughts less noble than their players. Woo-jin starts out this way but gradually transforms, becoming one with the team."
However, One Win avoids falling into the traps of excessive comedy or predictable melodrama. Balancing humor, emotion, and excitement, the film delivers a clean and memorable story. Song emphasized that he didn’t approach the role intending to be overly comedic or sentimental.
"If I had gone for exaggerated comedy or forced emotion, it might have turned into a dull and uninspired film. I felt that natural laughter and subtle, heartwarming moments were enough."
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| ▲ This still image of film "One Win," provided by Kidari Studio and Artist United, shows shows its lead actor Song Kang-ho. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
As a devoted volleyball fan, Song was drawn to the film partly to share the sport’s charm with a wider audience. "Volleyball is a fascinating sport, and I thought making a film about it, if done well, would feel like introducing something fresh to cinema," he explained.
The highlight of the film is undoubtedly its volleyball sequences. Sixteen actors underwent months of rigorous training and rehearsals to produce dynamic rally scenes. The cast includes Jang Yoon-ju as Pink Storm’s captain Su-ji, Lee Min-ji as a foreign recruit, and a mix of volleyball players, models, and dancers.
"The diverse and unique characters brought a vibrant, organic feel to the team, like fresh, crisp vegetables," Song said.
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| ▲ This still image of film "One Win," provided by Kidari Studio and Artist United, shows shows its lead actor Song Kang-ho. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
The title One Win also resonated with him, symbolizing not just a victory in volleyball but triumphs in life.
"Everyone experiences setbacks and moments of self-doubt. I hope this film offers comfort and inspires audiences to reflect on their own ‘one win’ in life."
Reflecting on his own career, Song cited Green Fish (1997), directed by Lee Chang-dong, as his first "one win."
"It was my first film where I gave everything, quitting theater to focus entirely on the project. That felt like my personal victory."
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