Lee Byung-hun becomes first South Korean actor to win Special Tribute Award at Toronto film festival
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South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun accepting the Special Tribute Award at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept 7.
PHOTO: AFP
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TORONTO – Lee Byung-hun has become the first South Korean actor to receive the Special Tribute Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff), marking a milestone for South Korean cinema at the festival’s 50th anniversary celebration.
The award was presented to Lee on Sept 7 by South Korean director Park Chan-wook at the Tiff Tribute Awards gala held at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in Toronto, Canada.
“I began my acting career 35 years ago in television dramas. But in my heart, I always had a love for film,” Lee said in English during his acceptance speech.
The 55-year-old credited Park’s 2000 film Joint Security Area as the moment he realised his dream of becoming a film actor.
Lee and Park reunited at the festival to present their third collaboration, No Other Choice, which had its North American premiere as a gala presentation. The dark comedy, based on late American author Donald Westlake’s novel The Ax (1997), follows an unemployed manager who resorts to eliminating his competitors for a job.
“This was a story I first heard from him more than 15 years ago. And finally, it’s being brought to life on screen,” Lee said of the project. “I believe this is a story that must be seen.”
He added: “I hope to continue greeting audiences with films that you will have No Other Choice but to watch.”
He closed his speech by dedicating the award to his homeland.
“I humbly accept it not just as an award for myself, but as recognition of the proud achievements and growth Korean culture has made throughout the world,” he said.
He posted a clip of his acceptance speech on his Instagram account on Sept 9.
Tiff praised Lee as a “global sensation” who has achieved massive success across film and TV in both South Korea and Hollywood.
The actor has starred in American films such as G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra (2009) and Terminator Genisys (2015), as well as Netflix series Squid Game (2021 to 2025).
The Special Tribute Award recognises outstanding contributions to global cinema and has previously honoured figures like Hong Kong actor Andy Lau, American actress Jodie Foster and Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro.
No Other Choice premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on Aug 29. The film will open the 30th Busan International Film Festival on Sept 17, with Lee serving as the first male solo opening-night host in the festival’s history.
The film will hit South Korean cinemas on Sept 24. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
