Go Legend Cho Hun-hyun Praises 'The Match' & Lee Byung-hun's Portrayal of His Younger Self in the Film

Go legend Cho Hun-hyun has expressed high satisfaction with the film 'The Match,' praising Lee Byung-hun's portrayal of his younger self.

Cho Hun-hyun, a living legend in the Korean Go community, met with the team behind the film 'The Match.' Cho Hun-hyun was the first Korean Go player to win a world championship, dominating the global Go scene since the 1990s and earning a reputation as a top-class player representing South Korea.

'The Match' depicts the inevitable rivalry between Cho Hun-hyun and his student, Lee Chang-ho. Ahead of the film's release, Cho Hun-hyun watched 'The Match' and expressed his high satisfaction. Lee Chang-ho was unable to attend the premiere due to a match commitment.

At the premiere on the 19th, Cho Hun-hyun made a surprise appearance on the VIP photo wall event before watching the film, striking a pose with Lee Byung-hun, who plays him in the movie. Cho Hun-hyun also took a group photo with his wife, Jung Mi-hwa, and actors Lee Byung-hun, Go Chang-seok, Hyun Bong-sik, Moon Jung-hee, and Jo Woo-jin, showing his deep affection for 'The Match.'

After watching the film, Cho Hun-hyun praised 'The Match' and strongly recommended it. He admitted that he was initially worried about how audiences would react to his life story being turned into a film. "Go is a game played in the mind while sitting down, making it challenging to portray. Unlike sports like martial arts, which are easier to depict, Go is all about mental strategy. But after watching the film today, I found it entertaining," he shared.

Reflecting on the film, Cho Hun-hyun said he was impressed by Lee Byung-hun's performance, saying, "Watching the movie brought back many memories. Lee Byung-hun's acting was so good that I thought, 'Oh? I used to be like that? It was exactly how it was! Wow!' It was an outstanding performance."

Finally, Cho Hun-hyun wholeheartedly recommended 'The Match,' describing it as a film with a powerful emotional impact that resonates with the heart. He expressed his hope that many people would watch it in theaters.

Following the premiere, 'The Match' has received praise from both the media and audiences, establishing itself as one of the most anticipated films of March. The movie is set to be released nationwide on March 26.

ebada@sbs.co.kr 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)