Renowned South Korean actress Song Hye-kyo has shed light on a surprisingly grueling chapter of her career: her nearly three-year involvement in Wong Kar Wai's critically acclaimed Chinese epic, The Grandmaster. What began as a seemingly straightforward role born out of curiosity about Chinese filmmaking evolved into an extended ordeal that left her feeling "tied up" to the production.
Song Hye-kyo initially accepted the role, eager to experience a different cinematic environment. However, the casual meeting with the visionary director, Wong Kar Wai, set in motion a commitment far exceeding her expectations. Despite her eventual minimal screen time in the final cut of the film, her obligations to the production stretched over an astonishing period of close to three years.
Throughout this extended duration, the actress found herself caught in a relentless cycle. She recounted frequently flying back to Korea during lulls in filming, only to be immediately summoned back to the set in China. This constant back-and-forth, coupled with the indeterminate nature of the shooting schedule, proved to be immensely taxing.
The situation escalated to a point where Song Hye-kyo desperately wanted to withdraw from the project. In a shocking revelation, she shared that Director Wong Kar Wai even went as far as to instruct her interpreter to retain her passport, effectively preventing her from leaving until her scenes were completed. This incident underscored the immense pressure and lack of autonomy she experienced during the filming of The Grandmaster.
Her candid recounting offers a rare glimpse into the often unseen challenges faced by actors in demanding international productions, highlighting how creative curiosity can sometimes lead to unexpectedly prolonged and restrictive professional commitments.
