"He doesn't look like him at all, yet somehow, he became him." – Go Chang-seok

When it comes to Lee Byung-hun, no two roles are the same. This time, he takes on the legendary Go master Cho Hun-hyun, replicating everything from his posture and mannerisms to his speech and even the way he places stones on the board.

🎬 A Story of Rivalry & Resilience

Directed by Kim Hyung-joo, The Match follows the true story of Cho Hun-hyun (Lee Byung-hun) and his disciple Lee Chang-ho (Yoo Ah-in)—a mentor and protégé turned fierce competitors.

Kim Hyung-joo knew from the beginning:
"Before I even wrote the first line of the script, I thought, 'This has to be Lee Byung-hun.' Most of the acting happens at the Go board, and only an actor of his caliber could bring that to life."

Lee Byung-hun was drawn to the drama within the game:
"I had no interest in Go before. But as soon as I read the script, I knew I had to do this. Go isn't just a game—it's about the psychological battles between players. Real-life stories like this are more dramatic than fiction."

🎭 Lee Byung-hun's Unmatched Dedication

To fully embody Cho Hun-hyun, Lee:

✔ Watched documentaries and studied archival footage

✔ Learned Go from professional players

✔ Met Cho Hun-hyun himself, analyzing his expressions, speech, and posture

"Actors have to be hyper-aware of details. Cho Hun-hyun sits a certain way, purses his lips a certain way, and even places his stones in a distinct manner. I trained myself to adopt those habits."

The level of detail even extended to his finger movements. Go masters intimidate their opponents from the first move, and Lee had to ensure his stone placement looked effortless yet calculated.

"I thought placing stones was no big deal—until I realized how a single move could exude dominance. I worried I'd mess up so many takes."

⚡ A High-Stakes Duel with Yoo Ah-in

At its core, The Match is a clash between master and student. Yoo Ah-in, despite his real-life legal controversies, retains full screen time in the film.

Director Kim explained:
"This film is about these two men. Removing Yoo Ah-in's scenes would break the story. We want to present the film in its original form for the audience."

🎥 Why The Match is a Must-Watch

Go may be a quiet and still game, but the film delivers thrilling tension akin to a sports movie. Jo Woo-jin put it best:
"Every move changes the entire atmosphere of the film. Watching Lee Byung-hun's finger joints act—it's like a full-contact sports film without the contact."

Even co-star Go Chang-seok was in awe:
"I didn't think Lee looked like Cho Hun-hyun at first. But as filming went on, I felt like I was watching the real person."

🏁 Release Date & Final Thoughts

🎬 The Match hits theaters on March 26.

Lee Byung-hun:
"It's been two years since we made this film, and I'm just happy it's finally meeting audiences in theaters."

Director Kim Hyung-joo:
"The most beautiful flowers bloom after overcoming hardships. This film has had its struggles, but I hope people will see it with an open heart."

[Photo Credit: Netflix]