Program Note
Joint Security Area, Park Chan-wook¡¯s third feature film, was a landmark success both critically and commercially. Playing Staff Sergeant Lee Soo-hyeok, a South Korean soldier stationed at the Joint Security Area along the DMZ, Lee delivered a performance that firmly established him as a leading actor in the film industry. With its tightly woven script, standout performances, and sophisticated direction, the film struck a chord with audiences by portraying a fragile bond between North and South Korean soldiers, and the irreversible tragedy that follows. As the key figure in the unfolding mystery, Lee navigates a complex emotional arc, shifting between present-day scenes and flashbacks. Joint Security Area offered a glimpse of his ability to convey turbulent emotions even in silence, affirming his potential as a commanding presence in Korean cinema. (CHOI Eun-young)