[Current & Culture] The Film "The Match" and the Story of Geniuses

The Wall of Genius That Cannot Be Overcome by Effort Alone
Yoo Ain, Recognized for His Genius in "Burning"
The Perils of "Demonic Talent" When Public Figures Fall from Grace

I have always been reluctant to call someone a genius just because they are good at studying. Perhaps this is because, based on my own experience, my intelligence test results were only average, but I was able to achieve fairly good grades through hard work. I believe the term "genius" is more fitting for the very few athletes, artists, or scientists who effortlessly surpass a wall that cannot be overcome by effort alone.

However, among my classmates in the English Literature Department at Seoul National University?where everyone excelled academically?there was one friend whom I acknowledged as a true genius. Since she is a public figure, I think it is fine to mention her real name. Nam Chihyung was unique in that she played Baduk. It was not just a hobby; she became a professional Baduk player at the age of 15. I did not realize how impressive that was until I happened to hear her story, which left me in shock.

"At my father's suggestion, I played Baduk exclusively from a young age. But in the second semester of my second year of high school, I realized I would soon be a senior and thought I should go to college. So, I started preparing for the entrance exam."

I struggled throughout middle and high school just to barely get accepted, so I was stunned. My curiosity about professional Baduk players grew, and I came to feel a sense of awe, realizing that no matter how hard I tried, I could never do what she did. While not every professional Baduk player may be a genius, I began to think that a significant number of them must be. When I saw Chihyung pass the bar exam on her first attempt, only to move on to graduate school without hesitation because she did not feel a genuine calling to become a legal professional, I became convinced she was a genius. According to my search, she is now a professor in the Department of Baduk Studies at Myongji University.

The film "The Match" depicts the relationship and rivalry between two Baduk masters with even more genius-level intellects than Chihyung: Cho Hunhyun (played by Lee Byunghun) and Lee Changho (played by Yoo Ain). Some people may feel intimidated by the subject of Baduk itself, but as the opening subtitles state, the film takes considerable creative liberties with the true story, making it accessible and enjoyable even for those who know nothing about Baduk.

The reason this film is difficult to watch comfortably is not because of its subject matter, but because of the actor Yoo Ain. In early 2023, Yoo Ain committed crimes involving the use of various drugs and has been inactive since then. "The Match" was filmed before the controversy erupted and was only released much later. The same situation applies to the film "Hi Five," which is set to be released on the 30th. Although it was completed in 2021, it is only now seeing the light of day. The staff and cast who worked hard on these films are blameless, but it remains uncertain how the public will receive Yoo Ain.

I considered Yoo Ain to be a genius. His acting reached a level that cannot be attained by effort alone. If you doubt this, watch the film "Burning." My assessment was that he was the rightful heir to the lineage of actors representing this era, and among them, the eldest. However, that praise was limited strictly to his acting; the implicit expectations our society places on public figures or celebrities are a separate matter.

During my college years, the Chihyung I remember was a friend with both a good personality and character, but there are quite a few cases where people with genius-level talent cause social controversy. When such cases are severe, the phrase "demonic talent" is sometimes used. I am curious to see how the public will respond to Yoo Ain, who has reappeared in two films after committing drug-related crimes. To make matters more complicated, in "The Match," Yoo Ain's counterpart is Lee Byunghun, the greatest acting genius of our time. Throughout the film, it felt as if Lee Byunghun's gaze was asking:

"Ain, can you do it like I do?"

Lee Jaeik, SBS Radio Producer and Novelist