Actor Song Kang-ho / Courtesy of KidariStudio, Artist United

Actor Song Kang-ho expressed his hopes for his upcoming volleyball film "One Win" to be "a small source of comfort and courage" for audiences, emphasizing the importance of the small victories people can achieve in life.

"For me, this film represents my own ‘one win.' There have been times when my recent projects haven't connected as well with audiences, and that's just part of the rhythm of life. But this film feels like an opportunity for small victories — both for me and for the audience," the 57-year-old told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Monday.

Directed by Shin Yeon-shick, "One Win" follows the journey of a struggling professional women's volleyball team, led by the losing streak coach Kim Woo-jin (Song), a reluctant owner (Park Jeong-min) and players unfamiliar with the taste of victory. Together, they challenge the odds to achieve their first win of the season.

Song said that "One Win" promises a warm story about struggle, teamwork and the joy of finding strength in unexpected places.

"Life isn't about grand triumphs but the little wins that give us courage. Whether it's deciding to buy chicken for your family tonight or overcoming a personal fear, those moments matter. I hope ‘One Win' inspires people to think about their own victories, no matter how small, and find comfort in them," the actor said.

Seeking change of pace after ‘Parasite'

Song, who played a leading role in Bong Joon-ho's award-winning 2019 film "Parasite," revealed "One Win" before his other recent projects, such as "Cobweb" (2023) and the Disney+ series "Uncle Samsik" (2024). He deliberately chose the film after the intense global spotlight of "Parasite."

"I wanted to do something lighter, something that felt like a breath of fresh air. At the time, the character was originally a young coach in his 20s, but it evolved into something much deeper. This movie felt like ‘peppermint candy' — something sweet, refreshing and uplifting," he said.

While sports films often follow familiar patterns, Song highlighted the unique challenges of portraying volleyball on screen. "One Win" is the country's first volleyball movie.

"Unlike baseball or football, volleyball has rarely been featured in films, which made it even more exciting and demanding," Song said. "The speed of the ball alone made the filming incredibly challenging to shoot, but that's where the sense of accomplishment comes in. It was tough but deeply rewarding."

Actor Song Kang-ho, who plays volleyball team head coach Kim Woo-jin, instructs players with a game plan in a scene from the movie "One Win." Courtesy of KidariStudio, Artist United

Song plays Kim Woo-jin, a hapless coach who must lead the underdog team to their first victory. To portray the head coach, he said he was deeply inspired by Cha Sang-hyun, a former head coach of the local professional volleyball team GS Caltex Seoul KIXX.

"I observed him guiding players, not just in their techniques but in their mindset. In the movie, there's a scene where Woo-jin helps a player stuck in a spiral of self-doubt. That moment came from a real-life interaction I witnessed from Cha, and it became a key part of the story."

As an avid volleyball fan, Song has followed both men's and women's leagues for years.

"'One Win' centers on a women's volleyball team, which was especially exciting for me. I've watched many matches," he recalled. "Watching matches closely, especially during timeout sessions, gave me insight into how coaches and players think. Volleyball has an incredible rhythm, blending power and surprise strategies. It's endlessly fascinating."

Song also praised actor Park Jeong-min, who plays the team's owner.

"I've admired him since ‘Bleak Night' (2011). His interpretations of characters are consistently astounding, which I think comes from his deep reading and understanding of people. He gave a performance that made it seem like he was an actual owner," Song said.

"One Win" was filmed between late 2020 and early 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak. This caused its release to be delayed more and more.

The actor, who serves as one of the most recognizable faces of the Korean film industry, said it's encouraging to see films made during this time being released in recent years, and he wishes the hard work of those in the industry could be better recognized.

"It's refreshing to see so many Korean films finally reaching audiences after the difficulties brought on by the pandemic," Song said. "This film, in particular, carries a warmth and brightness that I was craving after working on heavier projects like ‘Parasite.' It's a story with heart, and I think the timing is perfect for it."

"One Win" will hit theaters on Wednesday.