On April 23, Byun Young Joo appeared on the YouTube channel “Cine Drive” in the segment “Riding with Bang Eun Jin,” where she revisited her experience working on the 2012 film Helpless. Reflecting on her connection with Lee Sun Kyun, she said that while there are many actors, it is rare to find someone who feels like “they are on your side” as a director. She emphasized that Lee was one of those rare actors, adding that losing him was not just the loss of a performer, but the loss of a true companion for filmmakers in Korea.
She went on to share behind-the-scenes stories from filming. Due to limited budget and time, the production schedule was extremely tight. Even on the final day of shooting, she had to make difficult requests. She recalled how Lee Sun Kyun responded by asking for just 15 minutes, saying he could adjust his movements even if his emotions shifted. Remembering moments after filming wrapped, she credited the dedication of actors like Kim Min Hee and Jo Sung Ha, along with Lee Sun Kyun, for making the film possible.
Byun also revealed an anecdote involving Japanese author Miyabe Miyuki, the original writer behind Helpless. She shared that Miyuki had expressed great affection for the film and even wanted to offer another novel, The Reason, for adaptation with Lee Sun Kyun. However, circumstances prevented that collaboration from happening. Later, a publisher visited Lee’s resting place and approached Byun again, asking her to adapt the novel—a connection she said stemmed from their shared work on Helpless.
Most notably, Byun voiced strong frustration regarding the investigation process surrounding Lee Sun Kyun’s death. She stated that she still cannot forgive the prosecution and police, adding that she may never be able to do so in her lifetime.
Lee Sun Kyun passed away in December 2023 while under police investigation for alleged violations of drug-related laws. Following his death, the cultural and arts community raised concerns about excessive investigative practices and media exposure. Notably, filmmaker Bong Joon Ho and over 2,000 artists issued a joint statement calling for institutional reforms.
Sources: Daum