K-drama superstar Song Hye Kyo recently opened up about a challenging period during the filming of the 2013 Chinese movie, Grandmaster, where she felt trapped for three years.
A Rare Glimpse into Her Past
In a candid interview on musician Jung Jae Hyung’s YouTube show, Song Hye Kyo shared insights into her career, which has recently shifted from romantic roles to more intense, revenge-driven themes. She delved into a nearly decade-old experience that sheds light on the less glamorous side of international filmmaking.
The Grandmaster Opportunity
Song recounted how she first connected with acclaimed director Wong Kar Wai during a surge in the “Korean wave” in China. Wong, who was promoting a film in Korea, invited her to lunch, leading to an unexpected offer.
He proposed a role in his upcoming film, Grandmaster, assuring her it would be brief but enjoyable. Curious about working on a Chinese set, Song agreed, seeing it as a valuable learning experience rather than idle time.
Three Years in Limbo
What was supposed to be a short stint turned into an almost three-year commitment. Song revealed she spent much of this time waiting, with very little actual filming involved. Her screen time in the final movie was surprisingly minimal, leading her to joke that even the cast might not have realized she was in it.
During these long periods, she often found herself playing badminton with the crew or simply relaxing in her hotel room, constantly anticipating her next call to set. The extended delays were attributed to director Wong Kar Wai’s meticulous and time-consuming approach to filmmaking.
The Passport Incident
The lengthy wait began to take a toll. Song would return to Korea during breaks, only to be promptly called back for shoots that often didn’t materialize immediately upon her arrival. This cycle led to significant frustration, and she started longing to leave the project.
Remarkably, the director seemed to sense her growing desire to escape. Song vividly recalled a day when her interpreter, who was close to Wong, was questioned about her passport. The director explicitly asked if the passport was with Song or the interpreter, then instructed the interpreter to retrieve it from Song and keep it until filming concluded.
Song laughed as she recounted this moment, highlighting it as a prime example of the unpredictable and drawn-out nature of the production.
Minimal Screen Time, Major Impact
Despite the three-year commitment and the unique challenges, Song Hye Kyo’s role in Grandmaster amounted to only about six minutes within the 10-minute film. The movie itself starred a prestigious cast, including Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi, Chang Chen, and Zhao Benshan.
- Song Hye Kyo committed three years to the film “Grandmaster” for a role that amounted to only six minutes of screen time.
- Director Wong Kar Wai reportedly tried to confiscate her passport to prevent her from leaving the set prematurely.
- The extended delays were due to the director’s known meticulous filmmaking style.
This experience offers a fascinating insight into the demanding and sometimes unpredictable world of international film productions, even for a star of Song Hye Kyo’s caliber.
