Park Chan-wook's Violent Comedy-Thriller Begins Filming
South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook is set to embark on his 12th feature film, a darkly comedic thriller titled *I Can't Help It*, commencing filming on Saturday. The project, an adaptation of Donald Westlake's 1996 novel *The Ax*, is being financed and distributed by CJ ENM, a major local studio.
The film boasts a stellar cast, led by Korean screen icons Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin. Lee takes on the role of Man-soo, a man laid off after years of dedicated service at a paper company. Desperate for work, he spirals into a dangerous plan to eliminate his job rivals. Son plays Mi-ri, Man-soo's compassionate wife, adding a layer of emotional complexity to the narrative.
This latest project marks Park's return to the big screen following the critically acclaimed *Decision to Leave
(2022), a romantic mystery drama. In the interim, he co-directed the HBO miniseries *The Sympathizer*, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. Additionally, last year saw the 20th-anniversary re-release of his ultra-violent breakthrough film *Old Boy* (2003).
Park and Lee have a history of successful collaborations, notably the mystery thriller *Joint Security Area
(2000), a landmark film in Korean millennial cinema that even earned praise from Quentin Tarantino. Lee, known for his versatility, recently garnered global attention for his role in Netflix's *Squid Game*. Son, fondly nicknamed "Nation's First Love" for her charming roles, is set to make her first collaboration with Park.
Rounding out the ensemble cast are Lee Sung-min (*The Spy Gone North*), Yeom Hye-ran (*Life*), Park Hee-soon (*The Scam*), Cha Seung-won (*One Ordinary Day*), and Yoo Yeon-seok (*Mr. Sunshine*).
CJ ENM has not yet announced a release date for *I Can't Help It*. However, considering Park's history of showcasing his work at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, a May premiere is a distinct possibility.
