Lee Byung-hun Stars as Go Legend in Biographical Sports Drama Film ‘The Match’

Amid cheers, praise, and media attention, Lee Byung-hun declares, “I think no one can defeat me,” in the opening moments of The Match trailer.

The upcoming biographical sports drama, releasing on March 26, follows legendary Go champion Cho Hun-hyun (Lee Byung-hun) and his protégé-turned-rival, Lee Chang-ho (Yoo Ah-in). As their relationship evolves from mentorship to fierce competition, tensions rise both on and off the board.

Set in the 1980s and 1990s, The Match is a period drama dating back to Cho Hun-hyun’s heyday. Following an impressive victory in a prestigious tournament, he spots Lee Chang-ho at a Go match. Chang-ho, a kid at the time, had tons of talent but little understanding of the game. Hun-hyun thus takes him under his tutelage and starts coaching him. What he fails to anticipate then is that the student will one day grow too adept to deal with and stand up to his teacher.

Directed by Kim Hyung-joo, the much-anticipated film brings two powerhouse actors, Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in, together to portray the true story of these Go legends. While Cho Hun-hyun made it to the professional ranks in Korea in 1962, becoming one of the top players of all time, Lee Chang-ho turned pro in 1986, winning titles in the early years of the 1990s. Following his maiden international win in 1992, Lee went on to secure more titles in Korea and beyond.

For Lee Byung-hun, playing Cho Hun-hyun was both challenging and deeply emotional. In an interview with Yonhap News Agency, the actor revealed that he insisted on reshooting a pivotal scene to accurately capture the anguish of a mentor losing to his own student—a moment that must have been devastating for Cho in real life.

Hun-hyun was in his best form when he started coaching Chang-ho. But growing up, Chang-ho, who was initially a devoted pupil, gradually started distancing himself from his learnings, setting his own methods and tactics—eventually turning into Hun-hyun’s opponent.

Throughout the film, Hun-hyun’s situation and his emotions are explored in detail, especially when his career goes south. Lee Byung-hun told Yonhap that he was drawn in by the intriguing tale of the two players who shared their lives for a while before turning against each other.

Beyond the players, The Match highlights Go itself as a central character, shaping their lives and relationships. The game becomes a metaphor for life—where strategy, patience, and precision determine the outcome.

For those unfamiliar with Go, also known as Baduk in Korea, the game revolves around controlling territory. Players place black or white stones on a grid, aiming to enclose the largest area. Capturing the opponent’s stones by surrounding them is key to winning. The game ends when both players pass their turns or when one concedes. The final score is determined by a combination of captured stones and controlled territory.