The Match (2025 film)
2025 film by Kim Hyung-joo
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The Match (Korean: 승부) is a 2025 South Korean biographical sports drama film directed and written by Kim Hyung-joo, based on two real-life notable Go players Cho Hun-hyun and Lee Chang-ho. It stars Lee Byung-hun, Yoo Ah-in, Ko Chang-seok, Hyun Bong-sik, Moon Jeong-hee, and Kim Kang-hoon.[3][4] The film was released theatrically on March 26, 2025.[5] It grossed a total of $13,852,771 domestically becoming the seventh highest-grossing film in South Korea in 2025.[6]
| The Match | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster | |
| Hangul | 승부 |
| Hanja | 勝負 |
| Lit. | The Game |
| RR | Seungbu |
| MR | Sŭngbu |
| Directed by | Kim Hyung-joo |
| Written by |
|
| Produced by | Kim Tae-won |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | You Eok |
| Edited by | Kim Sang-bum |
| Music by | Jo Yeong-wook |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | |
Release date |
|
Running time | 115 minutes |
| Country | South Korea |
| Language | Korean |
| Box office | US$14.6 million[2] |
Synopsis
Set in the 1980s-1990s and based on two real-life notable Go players, the film tells the story of Cho Hun-hyun, a Go champion who discovers a gifted but untrained young boy Lee Chang-ho in an amateur contest. He takes him under his wing to turn into a professional player. Conflicts arise when the protégé later turns against his teachings.
Cast
- Lee Byung-hun as Cho Hun-hyun
- Yoo Ah-in as Lee Chang-ho
- Kim Kang-hoon as young Lee Chang-ho
- Ko Chang-seok as Cheon Seung-pil
- Hyun Bong-sik as Lee Yong-gak
- Moon Jeong-hee as Jung Mi-hwa, Cho Hun-yun's wife
- Jo Woo-jin as Nam Ki-cheol[7]
- Jeon Moo-song as Lee Hwa-chun
- Jeong Suk-yong as Chang-ho's father
Production
Casting
In October 2020, Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in joined the cast of the film, followed by Moon Jeong-hee and child actor Kim Kang-hoon.[8][9][10][11]
Filming
Principal photography began on December 17, 2020.[12] Filming took place in Yeongnam, Gyeongsang Province and Gangwon Province, and wrapped up in July, 2021.[13][14][15][16]
Release
The Match was scheduled to be released on Netflix in 2023.[17][18] Prior to the release, the film launched international sales and was screened at the Busan International Film Festival's Asian Contents & Film Market in October 2021.[19] However, it was delayed following Yoo Ah-in's drug use charges.[20]
In February 2025, it was reported that The Match would to be released in theaters in the first half of 2025 after its Netflix release was delayed.[21] The film will finally be released on May 7, 2025 on the platform in selected regions.[22]
Reception
Box office
The film was released on March 26, 2025, on 1,638 screens.[23] It opened at first place at the South Korean box office with 91,471 admissions.
The film has grossed US$14,382,747 from 2,146,284 admissions.[24]
Accolades
| Award | Year | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2025 | Best Actor | Lee Byung-hun | Nominated | [25] |
| Best Screenplay | Kim Hyung-joo, Yoon Jong-bin | Nominated | |||
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2025 | Best Screenplay | Won | [26] | |
| Best Editing | Kim Sang-bum | Nominated | |||
| Best Art Direction | Jung Eun-young | Nominated | |||
| Buil Film Awards | 2025 | Best Director | Kim Hyung-joo | Nominated | [27] |
| Best Actor | Lee Byung-hun | Won | |||
| Best Art/Technical Award | Jung Eun-young | Nominated | |||
| Director's Cut Awards | 2025 | Best Director (Film) | Kim Hyung-joo | Nominated | [28] |
| Best Screenplay (Film) | Kim Hyung-joo, Yoon Jong-bin | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor (Film) | Yoo Ah-in | Nominated | |||
| Lee Byung-hun | Won | ||||
| Golden Cinematography Awards | 2025 | Best Picture | The Match | Won | [29] |
| Best Supporting Actor | Ko Chang-seok | Won | |||
| Korean Film Producers Association Awards | 2025 | Best Actor | Lee Byung-hun | Won | [30] |
| Best Art Direction | Jung Eun-young | Won |