The Match (2023 film)

The Match is an upcoming South Korean biographical sport drama film directed and written by Kim Hyung-joo based on two real-life notable Go players Cho Hun-hyun and Lee Chang-ho. The film stars Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in.

Plot
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.

Main

 * Lee Byung-hun as Cho Hun-hyun
 * Yoo Ah-in as Lee Chang-ho
 * Kim Kang-hoon as young Lee Chang-ho

Supporting

 * Moon Jung-hee as Jung Mi-hwa, Cho Hun-yun's wife
 * Ko Chang-seok as Lee Chang-ho's father
 * Jung Suk-yong
 * Hyun Bong-sik

Casting
In October 2020, Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in joined the cast of the film, followed by Moon Jung-hee and child actor Kim Kang-hoon.

Filming
Principal photography began on December 17, 2020. Filming took place in Yeongnam, Gyeongsang Province and Gangwon-do, and wrapped up in July, 2021.

Release
The Match was scheduled to be released on Netflix in 2023. 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. However, it has been temporarily put on hold and will inform again as soon as the specific release schedule is confirmed, following Yoo Ah-in's drug use charges.