If you’ve been following my past Korean movie and drama reviews, you already know how much I fangirl over good cast chemistry. For me, a film isn’t just about one actor giving a great performance. It’s about how the whole cast works together. Even if one actor shines, if the rest don’t click, the movie just doesn’t feel complete.

But in Boss (보스), the cast chemistry was on another level. Jo Woo-jin, Jung Kyung-ho, Park Ji-hwan, and the rest of the team blended so well that it honestly felt like they had been friends for years. I don’t know if they were super close before filming, but their teamwork on screen made every scene flow naturally.

Everything felt so real. It didn’t look like a scripted performance. It looked like genuine people caught in a hilarious situation. That’s what made this Korean action comedy film so much more enjoyable for me.

One of the highlights of this experience was not only watching Boss during the 30th Busan International Film Festival but also seeing the cast in person (except for Jung Kyung-ho). They were actually sitting just a row behind me, so they got to hear the audience’s laughter firsthand.

After the screening, there was a special hi-bye session with the cast. To top it off, I even received a gift from Lee Kyu-hyung! It was such a memorable and fun fan experience. It made my festival experience unforgettable.

Boss is the kind of movie I’d happily rewatch. It’s light, funny, and stress-relieving (exactly the type of film I could also show my parents and be sure they’d enjoy). I laughed from beginning to end, and it completely lifted my mood.

If you’re looking for a Korean action comedy film that balances humor, irony, and great performances, Boss is the real boss of 2025.

As of writing, Boss hasn’t been officially released yet. It will hit theaters in South Korea on October 3, 2025, just in time for the Chuseok holidays. If you’re in Korea during that time, don’t miss it.

This is definitely a star-studded film. I recognized almost all the cast members because I have seen them in other films or dramas before, which made it even more exciting to watch.

One of the biggest surprises for me was Son Ye-jin. I saw a side of her that I hadn’t seen in other works, and I couldn’t stop thinking, “Wow, she really is an amazing actress.” There were scenes that I never could have imagined her performing, and she pulled them off so naturally.

The cast also had great chemistry with each other. Even though some of the characters were very complicated or difficult, it didn’t feel like the actors were “acting.” Everything felt natural and believable, which made the story even more engaging. Watching them interact felt effortless, and it really helped me get drawn into the world of the film.

Photo from: The Korea Times

While watching the film, I kept thinking, “This is definitely the classic Park Chan-wook style.” I have seen some of his other films before, and I can clearly recognize his unique way of telling a story. In No Other Choice, everything felt very balanced. The drama, comedy, suspense, and unexpected twists all worked together perfectly. It never felt too heavy or too light.

Another reason I enjoyed this film is that it gave me inspiration for my own short film. The way Park Chan-wook explored moral ambiguity and showed how people make difficult choices really stood out to me. Watching how he handled complex characters and unexpected situations gave me new ideas for my own work. For anyone who enjoys Park Chan-wook films, or who is interested in stories that mix drama, suspense, and dark humor, this movie is a great example of his signature style.

Photo from: IMDB

The main question I had throughout the movie was whether there really was no other choice for the lead character. I understand that people can become desperate to achieve something they want, or even to protect the people they love, but his decision to murder his rivals felt a bit extreme and hard to believe. For me, it didn’t feel deep or urgent enough to justify such a violent action.

I think I would have understood it more if the film showed that his family was in real danger or had no way to survive, like if they didn’t even have food. Since that wasn’t clear, the reason behind his choice felt a little weak. If the motivation had been stronger or more convincing, I believe I would have enjoyed the film more and maybe even given it a higher rating.

While No Other Choice looks amazing and has strong performances from its famous cast, the main story didn’t feel very new or exciting to me. Even so, the film is still fun to watch and worth seeing at least once, especially for fans of Park Chan-wook, Korean black comedies, or anyone who enjoys stylish and well-made films.

What really makes this movie stand out is the cinematography and the cast chemistry. Every shot is carefully made, the colors and lighting set the mood, and the camera work makes you feel like you are part of the story. The actors, including Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, and the rest of the cast, act very naturally. Even though their characters are complicated, it didn’t feel like they were acting.

I also felt very lucky to see the cast in person during their Guest Visit at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, which made the experience even more special.

In the end, while No Other Choice may not have a completely new story, it is still a beautiful film with great acting. Fans of Park Chan-wook films or Korean cinema will probably enjoy it. It is worth watching for the style, the famous cast, and the director’s signature touches.

Both filmmakers emphasized that monsters and fantastical elements are metaphors for human emotions and social fears.

Guillermo del Toro reminded us that creatures should reflect human truths. I also loved how he showed us his personal notebook — something he always carries to sketch or jot down creative sparks. It reminded me to always bring one because we don't know when inspiration will hit us.

Yeon Sang-ho revealed how zombies and demons embody anxieties within Korean society, proving that genre filmmaking can carry deep cultural commentary.

Miyamori shared how production design can reimagine history and break away from stereotypes. Her meticulous process on Last Samurai Standing proved that design is more than aesthetics but it shapes how audiences experience time and place.

Chen offered a valuable perspective on the differences between film and series directing. He explained that films require tight, concise storytelling, while series provide room for pacing experiments and deeper character growth. His journey between both formats was an inspiring reminder that directors must constantly adapt.

As someone who is currently writing a short film, there are really some limitations especially with time. Our professors have been giving us examples of feature films but not short films. So, honestly, it's really hard to make a short film. But hearing Leste Chen talk about his experience, it made me think of exploring more.

Though I couldn’t stay for her entire session, I was struck by how Maggie’s Korean heritage and love for K-pop inspired KPop Demon Hunters. She showed that stories rooted in cultural authenticity can still resonate with global audiences, especially when paired with bold creativity.

Attending Creative Asia at BIFF 2025 was more than just listening to experts. It was a reminder of why I chose to study film. Each speaker showed that authenticity and imagination are not opposites but complementary forces.

As a film student at Dongseo University in Busan, I found myself reflecting on how my own journey as an international student can inspire my projects. Just as Guillermo del Toro draws from his imagination and Yeon Sang-ho channels societal fears, I can weave my experiences into stories that are both personal and universal.

This event reminded me that great filmmaking is not only about visuals or plot twists. It’s about the emotions, identities, and truths that lie beneath them. As I enter my final year, these insights will guide not only my graduation project but also my long-term career.

I’m truly grateful to Netflix and the Busan International Film Festival for organizing Creative Asia. Bringing together such diverse, world-class voices in one forum was a gift to every aspiring filmmaker and film lover in the audience.

Events like this prove that cinema is a global language where stories, no matter where they come from, can inspire the world.