Park Chan-wook’s New Film to Represent South Korea at the Oscars.
Director Park Chan-wook’s movie No Other Choice (어쩔수가없다) also known as Eojjeol suga eopda, will officially represent South Korea at the 2026 Academy Awards (Oscars) in the Best International Feature Film category. The announcement came on September 2 from the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).
The film is scheduled to open in Korean theaters on September 24, just in time to meet the Academy’s rule that all submissions must be released in their home country by September 30 of the year of entry.
Selection Process
The selection committee — including Kwak Shin-ae, Oh Sang-ho, Choi Jeong-hwa, Lee Dong-ha, Lee Jong-ho, Shin Su-won, Choi Su-jin, Park Ki-joo, and Jang Hye-jin — praised the movie for its strong artistic merit and acting.
They said, “Considering all evaluation criteria, we determined it to be the most competitive submission.” The committee also described it as “an irony that uses humor to depict a tragedy the world can relate to,” predicting that No Other Choice will be “a film the Academy will celebrate.”
Film and Story
No Other Choice marks Park Chan-wook’s first feature since Decision to Leave (2022). It stars Lee Byung-hun as Man Su, a worker laid off from a paper mill after 25 years. The film follows his struggle to find new work while protecting his family and his dignity. The cast also includes Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, Yeom Hye-ran, and Cha Seung-won.
- Title: No Other Choice (2025)
- Hangul: 어쩔수가없다
- Original: The Ax (Novel) by Donald E. Westlake
- Genres: Thriller, Comedy
- Director: Park Chan Wook
- Screenwriter: Lee Kyung Mi & Park Chan Wook
- Release date: Aug 29, 2025
- Country: South Korea
- Running time: 139 min. (2 hr. 18 min. 44 sec.)
- Filming period: August 17, 2024 – January 15, 2025
International Recognition
The movie had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival on August 29, receiving a nine-minute standing ovation. International media and critics responded positively, highlighting both the performances and Park Chan-wook’s direction.
The official festival and release schedule is as follows:
- Italy – August 29, 2025 (Venice International Film Festival )
- Canada – September 8, 2025 (Toronto International Film Festival)
- South Korea – September 17, 2025 (Busan International Film Festival)
- South Korea Release – September 24, 2025
- USA – September 26, 2025 (New York Film Festival)
Press Event
A press conference for No Other Choice took place on August 19 at CGV Yongsan I-Park Mall in Seoul. Director Park Chan-wook appeared with the main cast for photo sessions, drawing strong attention from the local press.
