John Cho and Steven Yeun share their thoughts on the Hollywood strike… “Art should not be replaced by machines” [BIFF]

[Edaily Starin Reporter Kim Bo-young] Korean-American actors John Cho and Steven Yeun expressed their feelings while watching the Writers and Actors Guild strike that recently hit Hollywood, and mentioned the purpose and importance of the strike for better art.

At the press conference for the 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) ‘Korean American Special Exhibition: Korean Diaspora’ held at the KNN Theater in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 6th, director Lee Isaac Chung of the movie ‘Minari’, director and actor Justin Jeon, and Korean actors Jonjo and Steven Yeun attended. We talked. Programmer Park Do-shin took charge of the proceedings as a moderator.

Previously, this year’s Busan International Film Festival established a new corner, ‘Korean American Special Exhibition’, reflecting the growing interest in ‘Korean immigrants’ in the content market. It combines recent works that deal with the lives of Korean immigrants, such as the movies ‘Minari’ and ‘Rice Boy Sleeps’ and the Netflix series ‘Angry People’, with the trend of Korean actors being in the spotlight. Accordingly, four people who are difficult to meet in one place even in the United States met in Busan and talked.

The Screen Actors Guild has been going on a large-scale strike against the Hollywood Producers’ Federation, including OTT, since last May. According to the provisions of the Actors’ Guild, during a strike, affiliated actors are restricted from mentioning their activities and work when attending overseas festival events. Accordingly, John Cho and Steven Yeun were unable to mention or answer questions about any American works (including dramas) in which they appeared at any events, including the press conference that day.

Regarding the strike issue that hit Hollywood, Steven Yeun said, “This strike was planned with the purpose of raising our voices to protect our artists,” and “We will maintain the framework of an industry where commerce is the basis, but provide good conditions for writers and actors.” The purpose is to ensure fair treatment. “It comes from the desire to understand and respect other people,” he explained.

He continued, “There is no safety net for writers or actors. In that respect, I think it is a privilege in itself to be able to talk about this here,” he said. “I think the current strike is appropriate because there is no safety net in the environment of business change. “I hope to secure the future of artisans and secure a safety net,” he emphasized.

Actor John Cho of the movie ‘Search’ said, “I will talk about AI issues in Hollywood. “Due to the advancement of technology, industries are going through a process of automation, and this is also true in the entertainment industry,” he explained. “Humans are being replaced by machines, and a situation has come where humans are no longer able to do their jobs due to AI.”

John Cho said, “Art is an expression of the human mind. “I want to see human drama, works written by people, and storytelling about our human experiences in movies,” he said. “But in this field of art, the expressions and experiences that only humans can enjoy should not be taken away by machines.” “I think,” he emphasized.

He said, “What the union is trying to do now is to make this job we are doing into a professional field that humans can do,” adding, “For that to happen, there must be a corresponding amount of compensation.” “I hope to be able to work continuously and produce better works of art, and for this to happen, there must be a system and compensation for continuous work,” he added.

Kim Bo-young (kby5848@edaily.co.kr)