The movie No Other Choice is set to be one of the highlights at the 2025 Busan International Film Festival. Park Chan Wook, who hasn’t premiered a film at BIFF since Decision to Leave in 2022, is back, and expectations are high. Fans are already wondering if he’ll take home another Best Director award, this time in his home country.
No Other Choice tells the story of Man Su, played by Lee Byung Hun, a man who suddenly loses his job after 25 years at a paper mill. With no income, he struggles to keep his home and take care of his family—his wife Mi Ri, their two kids Si Won and Ri Won, and their two dogs. Man Su is determined to survive and protect what he’s built, but the world isn’t easy on someone without work. He faces repeated failures, awkward situations, and meets a series of unusual characters along the way, each adding to his struggle. The cast also includes Park Hee Soon as Seon Chul, Lee Sung Min as Beom Mo, Yeom Hye Ran as A Ra, and Cha Seung Won as Si Jo.
This marks the third collaboration between director Park Chan Wook and Lee Byung Hun, following Joint Security Area and Three… Extremes. No Other Choice is scheduled for a September release and will later be shown internationally at the Venice Film Festival.
The 30th Busan International Film Festival will run from September 17 to September 26, with the 20th Asian Contents & Film Market happening between September 20 and 23. Lee Byung Hun will also serve as the host for this year’s opening ceremony, adding another layer of excitement for fans attending the festival.
