Son Ye Jin is facing backlash over her latest film, No Other Choice. The actress made her comeback with the movie, directed by renowned filmmaker Park Chan Wook and co-starring Lee Byung Hun.
The film premiered at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2025, receiving critical acclaim. Following its domestic debut at the Busan International Film Festival on September 17, it hit South Korean theaters on September 24, KST.
Soon after its release, the movie achieved an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for critics. However, this accomplishment has divided opinions among Korean netizens. Some users argue that the film doesn’t deserve such high praise.
Netizen reactions include:
“I’m looking forward to it again…”
“I thought it was worth watching. I think the story metaphorically represents modern society.”
“Opinions are really divided.”
Critics’ reviews and audience responses appear to clash. Some people noted:
“Critic reviews and audience reviews are always different…”
“When something does well overseas, domestic opinions tend to change too. I wonder if that’ll happen with this one.”
One viewer felt the film lacked authenticity:
“It just wasn’t really my taste. Something felt awkward and exaggerated. It didn’t feel like it was set in Korea, but it didn’t feel foreign either. It felt kind of detached, like it was floating.”
In contrast, another took a more optimistic view:
“As soon as I saw it, it felt exactly like Park Chan Wook. I figured international audiences would love it.”
As the situation unfolds, fans and critics alike are closely monitoring the reactions. Will domestic perceptions shift in light of international acclaim? Stay tuned for updates!
