Park Chan-wook returns with ‘I Can’t Help It,’ a tragicomic tale of ordinary lives

▲ South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook attends the media conference for his new film "No Other Choice" held in Seoul on Aug. 19, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Aug. 19 (Yonhap) -- “When I read the original work, I saw the potential to add a new kind of absurd humor. I thought, ‘If I make this, it could become a more tragic yet funny kind of humor,’” director Park Chan-wook said Tuesday.

Park made the remark during a press conference at CGV Yongsan in central Seoul for his new film “I Can’t Help It,” starring actor Lee Byung-hun.

“Even in the saddest stories, if you look closely, there are funny aspects,” Park said. “Since they’re all parts of ourselves, they can make us laugh or cry. This film is really everyone’s story.”

“I Can’t Help It” follows the story of Man-su (Lee), a laid-off office worker who prepares to reenter the workforce while fighting his own war to protect his family. The film is adapted from “The Ax,” a novel by American writer Donald Westlake.

Park recalled, “I’ve always enjoyed mystery novels since my teenage years, but I had never come across one I so strongly wanted to adapt into a film. This one remained compelling and worth savoring, no matter how many times I reread it.”

▲ A still from Park Chan-wook's new film, "No Other Choice," is shown in this photo provided by CJ ENM and Moho Film. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Lee said the script was unexpectedly humorous. “When I first read it, I wondered if it was really made by director Park, because it had so many comedic moments. I even asked him, ‘This is supposed to be funny, right?’” According to Lee, Park answered, “The funnier, the better.”

Lee added, “You’ll experience strange situations where various emotions collide, making things both sad and funny at the same time. We worked hard to portray extreme situations faced by ordinary people in a convincing way.”

In the trailer, Man-su repeatedly says the line, “I can’t help it… I just can’t help it,” which is also the title of the film.

Park explained, “The line contains a sense of rationalization behind wrongful deeds. Looked at negatively, it reflects a cowardly mindset. But if you see it with compassion, you may feel sympathy, thinking, ‘Yes, he really couldn’t help it.’”

▲ A still from Park Chan-wook's new film, "No Other Choice," is shown in this photo provided by CJ ENM and Moho Film. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

He also highlighted the importance of the film’s setting and music. “The house in the story is almost like another character. We built it with the utmost care, from the backyard and front yard to each tree and flower,” Park said. “The music ranges from Mozart to trot. We recorded in many different places, but this time I feel we truly reached the best outcome.”

Actress Son Ye-jin, who plays Man-su’s wife Mi-ri, said, “It was such a powerful story that I thought I’d regret it if I didn’t join. Mi-ri is both a wife and a mother, and since this is my first project after giving birth, I think it actually helped my performance.”

Park described her character as “a mature figure who eventually dominates the story, being firm, strict and even frightening.”

“I Can’t Help It” marks Park’s first feature in three years since “Decision to Leave” (2022). The cast also includes Park Hae-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yum Hye-ran and Cha Seung-won.

The film has been invited to compete at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, which opens on Aug. 27, and will serve as the opening film of the 30th Busan International Film Festival on Sept. 17. It is the first Korean film in 13 years to compete at Venice since late director Kim Ki-duk’s “Pieta” in 2012.

This will also be Park’s second competition entry at Venice, 20 years after “Lady Vengeance” (2005), the final installment of his vengeance trilogy. That film earned him three unofficial prizes at the festival, including the Young Lion Award, the Best Innovation Award and the Future Film Award.

▲ This poster of Park Chan-wook's upcoming new film "No Other Choice" is provided by CJ ENM and Moho Film. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

“Now that I’m older, it seems like everything I do ends up happening again after 20 years,” Park joked. “Still, it’s meaningful that a Korean film is returning to the Venice competition after such a long time.”

He added, “It’s especially an honor to be chosen as the opening film of the Busan International Film Festival in its 30th year. The festival has grown hand in hand with the revival of Korean cinema, so it feels even more special.”

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved