"Through the battle between a master and his disciple, I wanted to tell a story of growth." – Director Kim Hyung-joo

The upcoming film The Match (승부), directed by Kim Hyung-joo, brings to life the legendary rivalry between two Go masters—Cho Hun-hyun (Lee Byung-hun) and Lee Chang-ho (Yoo Ah-in). The master-disciple duo faces off in an inevitable showdown, where the stakes are nothing short of legendary.

🎬 Staying True to the Past—No Cuts for Yoo Ah-in

Based on real-life figures, The Match aims to preserve the authenticity of this historic battle. Despite Yoo Ah-in's ongoing drug controversy, the production has decided not to edit out his scenes.

Director Kim Hyung-joo addressed the decision:
"Given the structure and intent of the story, removing his scenes would break the narrative. I believe that once the audience watches the film, they will understand why."

🎭 An Intense Face-Off Between Lee Byung-hun & Yoo Ah-in

The core of The Match lies in the gripping performance duel between Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in.

"Go is a silent game, but the energy between two competing minds is like swords clashing," Kim explained.

On March 7, the film's press conference was held at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul, attended by Kim Hyung-joo, Lee Byung-hun, Go Chang-seok, Hyun Bong-sik, and Moon Jung-hee.

🎯 A Story About Learning to Lose

Director Kim revealed what initially drew him to the project:
"I wanted to explore what it means to lose well. Victory isn't guaranteed in life. Learning to accept defeat and move forward is just as important."

For Kim, Go was the perfect vehicle for this theme:
"I grew up watching weekend broadcasts of Go matches. Back then, these games were even featured on the front page of newspapers."

Beyond the teacher-student relationship, the film delves into the ruthless reality of competition:
"No matter how close they were, they were destined to become rivals."

⚡ Lee Byung-hun's Transformation

From the start, Kim envisioned Lee Byung-hun as Cho Hun-hyun:
"Before I even wrote the first line of the script, I knew Lee Byung-hun was the only actor who could handle this emotionally complex role."

Lee, in turn, was immediately hooked:
"I knew nothing about Go. I wasn't even interested in it. But the moment I read the script, I knew I had to do it."

His dedication to the role was meticulous:

✔ Watched hours of archival footage

✔ Learned Go techniques from professional players

✔ Studied Cho Hun-hyun's posture, expressions, and unique playing style

"He had a distinct way of sitting, pursing his lips, even placing stones on the board. I trained myself to mimic those exact habits."

🏆 Why The Match Is a Must-Watch

The film doesn't just capture the game of Go—it turns it into an electrifying psychological war.

Jo Woo-jin compared it to a sports film:
"You might think Go is slow-paced, but every single move shifts the tension. Watching Lee Byung-hun's performance feels like watching a high-stakes sports match."

Co-star Go Chang-seok was equally in awe:
"At first, I didn't think Lee looked like Cho Hun-hyun at all. But as filming progressed, I felt like I was watching the real person."

🏁 Final Countdown—Premieres on March 26

Director Kim wrapped up with a heartfelt message:
"The most beautiful flowers bloom after overcoming hardships. The Match has had its struggles, but I hope audiences watch it with an open heart."

🎬 The Match arrives in theaters on March 26.

[Photo Credit: Netflix]