On the evening of 29/8 local time (morning of 30/8 Hanoi time), the film made its global debut at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, receiving an eight-minute standing ovation. Before the screening, the "No Other Choice" cast walked the red carpet and interacted with fans. The cast, from left to right, includes Yeom Hye Ran, Lee Byung Hun, Son Ye Jin, and Park Hee Soon.

The "No Other Choice" team on the red carpet at the 2025 Venice Film Festival. Video: DRM News

According to Star News, Son Ye Jin captivated in a black lace dress. She continuously smiled and waved to the audience. On social media forums, fans praised her toned physique.

This project marks Son Ye Jin's first film appearance since "The Negotiation" (2018). The actress subsequently starred in the television dramas "Crash Landing on You" (2019-2020) and "Thirty-Nine" (2022). She paused her acting career after marrying actor Hyun Bin in 3/2022. In November of the same year, Son Ye Jin gave birth to her first son.

In "No Other Choice," she plays Miri, the wife of Man Su (Lee Byung Hun). According to the production team, her character is multi-talented, open-minded, and determined to maintain family happiness after her husband loses his job. At the pre-screening press conference, the actress said, "When I read the script, I realized the importance wasn't in the character but in the power of the story. I knew for sure I had to be a part of this film,".

Actress Yeom Hye Ran wore a long, form-fitting black dress accented with a jade green silk sash draped over her shoulder. She has made her mark through various roles on the Korean screen, most recently as the hardworking mother in "When Life Gives You Tangerines."

Ye Jin's co-star, Lee Byung Hun, appeared on the red carpet with a sophisticated demeanor, wearing a classic black suit and white shirt. According to Nate, he attracted attention with his confident aura, affirming his status as an Asian star at international film events.

Variety reported that critics praised Lee Byung Hun's performance as reaching new heights, highlighting the character of Man Su through both humorous and emotional scenes.

Park Chan Wook directed the film based on Donald E. Westlake's 1997 novel "The Ax". After its premiere in Venice, the film received positive reviews from experts. Deadline and the Guardian praised the cleverness of the script and the director's use of dark humor to touch upon the anxieties of the unemployed in society.

According to Kpop Post, in 2017, Park Chan Wook intended to collaborate with a Hollywood company to adapt the novel but the project was cancelled. He then embarked on creating the Korean version. At the 2019 Busan Film Festival, the director stated that this was his "lifelong project." "I wanted to make this film and consider it one of my masterpieces," Park Chan Wook said.

Actor Lee Sung Min wore a black suit with a matching shirt. In the film, Lee Sung Min plays an alcoholic employee named Gu Bummo.

Que Chi

Photo: AFP