The Cast Made a Wacky Promise at Busan International Film Festival
Imagine walking through Myeongdong, Seoul’s buzzing shopping district, and spotting Son Ye-jin and Lee Byung-hun dancing in full costume. Sounds like a fever dream, right? Well, it’s now a real possibility.
At the 30th Busan International Film Festival, the cast of It Can’t Be Helped (directed by Park Chan-wook) held an outdoor talk session at the Busan Cinema Center—aka the BIFF red carpet hotspot. When asked how they’d celebrate a box office milestone, the crew didn’t hold back.
10 Million Viewers = K-pop Style Dance Party in Myeongdong?
During the Q&A, a fan asked the team to promise something for hitting 10 million moviegoers. Director Park Chan-wook looked genuinely caught off guard. “I’ve never thought about it,” he admitted. Cue Lee Byung-hun jumping in with a strategic offer: “If our schedules line up, we’ll do a guerrilla stage greeting tour around the country. Even solo, I’d do it for a week.”
But Son Ye-jin upped the ante… big time. “That’s too weak,” she smiled, “There’s a scene in the film where we dance in costume. If we hit 10 million viewers, we’ll all dance in costume in Seoul’s most crowded spots—like COEX or Myeongdong. Director Park, too!” The crowd went wild. Actor Lee Sung-min chimed in without hesitation: “Count me in.”
What Is It Can’t Be Helped All About?
The film, set for release in Korea on October 24, follows Mansu (played by Lee Byung-hun), a man who thought he had it all—until he’s suddenly laid off. With a wife and two kids depending on him and a house he built from the ground up, Mansu begins the biggest battle of his life: finding meaning and security again amid chaos. It’s part workplace drama, part family saga—with a touch of social commentary that hits hard.
Oh, and yes, there’s apparently a costume dance number. Who knew Park Chan-wook had it in him?
Why This Pledge Actually Matters
In Korea, a box office of 10 million viewers is akin to hitting Oscar gold. It places a film in a hall-of-fame category that only a handful reach. This over-the-top yet oddly heartwarming pledge isn’t just promo flash—it shows the team’s confidence and charisma. And come on, who doesn’t want to see Son Ye-jin rallying a dance crew in public?
Now the real question is: will viewers make this happen? Because if they do, Seoul might witness the most iconic flash mob in Hallyu history.
