"I couldn't think of anyone other than Jo In-sung."

Director Lee Chang-dong has revealed the reasons behind casting Jo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong in his new film "Possible Love," his first project in eight years.

Attending a press conference for the movie "Possible Love" held at Hotel Naru Seoul M Gallery on the morning of the 25th, Director Lee stated that casting Jeon Do-yeon and Sol Kyung-gu—actors who could be considered his muses—was "only natural," while also sharing why he chose the two newly joined actors.

First, speaking about the character Sang-woo, played by Jo In-sung, the director introduced him by saying, "He is a figure within the structure that governs the unseen narrative of this film. He is powerful, handsome, charming, and capable in everything, yet he does not reveal himself." He added with a laugh, "I couldn't think of any other actor for a role like that besides Jo In-sung. I was worried he might turn it down. It seems the casting was made possible thanks to Director Ryoo Seung-wan, who helped bridge the gap."

At the time, Jo In-sung was filming "Humint" following "Hope." He was at a point where his physical fatigue had reached its absolute peak due to a series of overseas location shoots. However, upon receiving the offer from Director Lee Chang-dong, Jo changed his mind, thinking, "Let's just do this movie and then take a break."

Jo In-sung remarked, "I've always been a huge fan of the director's work. There aren't many opportunities to learn as an actor, so I went to the set with the mindset of learning from the director. I truly learned a lot, and it was an honor to have such an opportunity."

Praising Cho Yeo-jeong, who plays Sang-woo's wife Ye-ji, Director Lee spared no compliments, saying, "In a way, she is a character who holds my perspective and viewpoint throughout the entire film. Although I hadn't worked with Cho Yeo-jeong before, I thought she was an actor equipped with the self-awareness, empathy, and sensitivity of someone who truly understands film. I believed she fit Ye-ji's inner world, and she strived to fully inhabit that character on set."

Recalling when she first received the casting offer from Director Lee Chang-dong, Cho Yeo-jeong shared, "Working with Director Lee Chang-dong was something I had long hoped for, so when I received the offer, I was thrilled to the point of being dazed. After reading the script, the lingering emotional resonance was profound, much like what (Jeon) Do-yeon unni mentioned. After pondering for about three days over whether I possessed the depth required to pull off this film, I reached out to him."

Director Lee's films have traditionally featured actors of a similar tone—actors possessing exceptional acting skills paired with faces that can represent ordinary people, such as Sol Kyung-gu, Moon So-ri, and Jeon Do-yeon. Beginning with his previous work, "Burning," he started casting actors with more distinct, individual personalities.

Jo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong represent a casting choice that makes "Possible Love" all the more intriguing. Having initially written a script centered around the characters played by Jeon Do-yeon and Sol Kyung-gu, Director Lee newly created the married couple Sang-woo and Ye-ji—portrayed by Jo In-sung and Cho Yeo-jeong—thereby building the film's perspective and message in a multi-layered way.

"Possible Love" tells the story of two couples—a dismissed worker and his wife, alongside a documentary director and her husband—who meet to produce a documentary, confronting each other's different lives and hidden desires. As Director Lee Chang-dong's first Netflix film, "Possible Love" will premier in theaters on September 23 before meeting global viewers on November 6.



(Photo: Provided by Reporter Baek Seung-chul)

(SBS Entertainment News, Reporter Kim Ji-hye)