[31st BIFF] "The Importance of the Trivial"... 'Day and Night for Each Other' is a Gift to Everyone (Comprehensive)

Selected as the opening film... Premiere and press conference held today (6th)Starring Kim Min-ha, Ju Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Jang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, etc.Director Kim Jong-kwan and actors Kim Min-ha, Ju Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Jang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi (from left) pose for a commemorative photo at the press conference for the opening film 'Night and Day' at the '31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)' held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 6th. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Park Ji-yoon] 'Night and Day' powerfully opened the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Director Kim Jong-kwan expressed his determination to convey the importance of small and trivial things to global audiences with actors of diverse charms.The premiere and press conference for 'Night and Day' (directed by Kim Jong-kwan), the opening film of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, was held at the main theater of the Busan Cinema Center on the afternoon of the 6th. Director Kim Jong-kwan, programmer Jung Ji-hye, and actors Kim Min-ha, Ju Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Jang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi attended the event, answering reporters' questions and sharing various stories.'Night and Day' unfolds a total of four stories: the chance encounter between Yujin (played by Kim Min-ha) and Hyeon-oh (played by Ju Jong-hyuk), who stay at the same cafe at different times; the quirky and sudden reunion of middle school friends Sang-mi (played by Han Sun-hwa) and Young-min (played by Jang Ryul); the laughter-filled, fiery first meeting between web novel writer Hye-jin (played by Shim Eun-kyung) and film director Dong-nam (played by Lee Hee-joon); and the poignant moment between idol trainee Na-kyung (played by Jeon So-young) and her lover Jong-su (played by Kim Dong-hwi).Director Kim Jong-kwan, who took the megaphone, quickly gained attention by winning the Special Jury Prize at the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival for his debut short film 'How to Operate a Polaroid' (2004), and has since built a unique cinematic world through films like 'Worst Woman,' 'The Table,' and 'Josée.'In this film, he utilizes the characteristic of a cafe, where many people come and go and stay for a while, to depict each character's narrative, personality, atmosphere, and nuances with a light touch and a thoughtful gaze.Director Kim Jong-kwan, through 'Night and Day,' utilizes the characteristic of a cafe, where many people come and go and stay for a while, to depict each character's narrative, personality, atmosphere, and nuances with a light touch and a thoughtful gaze. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolDirector Kim said, "I am happy to be able to show the film in the honorable position of the opening film," adding, "I am grateful that the Busan International Film Festival, with its global standing, has recognized the importance of the small and trivial things that 'Night and Day' aims to convey."Programmer Jung Ji-hye said, "The selection criterion for the opening film is that many audiences can enjoy the work comfortably for nearly three hours in an outdoor theater," adding, "'Night and Day' fully meets this standard. It is a film where the harmony between the director and the actors, and their acting prowess, are fully conveyed."Director Kim Jong-kwan further explained the planning intention, "While typical films build up events within a general narrative structure spanning days to years to create a single story, we have only four conversations. Through this single facet of conversation, we wanted to create a film that allows the audience to imagine where the characters come from and where they are going, and then to draw something from that, hoping it would foster a deep connection with the audience."Regarding the film's title, he explained, "I thought of it as a story connecting people, one of whom is in the day and the other in the night. Since the last episode is about people in the same space becoming day and night for each other, things related to both sides are constantly exchanged. Each person has their own story, and their dreams and reality, which they are trying to create, are contrasted like day and night, yet also connected. Through this, I hoped it would be a film that fosters understanding of others."Kim Min-ha, who plays Yujin, recalled, "I received the script from Director Kim, whom I had admired for a long time, and the day we filmed my episode was my birthday. It was a gift in itself." /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolKim Min-ha plays Yujin, a woman who has a strange dream, exuding a mysterious and dreamy charm, while Ju Jong-hyuk plays Hyeon-oh, who dreams of becoming a watchmaker, conveying anticipation and excitement for a fateful encounter.Kim Min-ha, who received the script from Director Kim, whom she had long admired, and whose episode filming day was her birthday, felt she received two gifts from the film.She emphasized, "Countless stories are exchanged in one space, and these can come together to form a letter, a novel, or a film. It can also be a wave in a larger flow, and I realized that perhaps we have only considered major events as the sole narrative. This time, I was able to think about small happiness."Ju Jong-hyuk recalled, "The director said that Kim Min-ha acts as naturally as she breathes, and I wanted to try acting with that kind of tone. We researched together and had fun filming."Shim Eun-kyung plays Hye-jin, a popular novelist with a prim and proper demeanor, and shares a page of the film with Lee Hee-joon, who plays independent film director Dong-nam.Regarding this, she said, "It was a character I had never played before, and she had a personality completely different from mine, so the character Hye-jin was difficult for me to approach. Therefore, I was very curious as to why the director offered me the role. It is a meaningful work because I took on the challenge."Han Sun-hwa, who attended the press conference for the opening film 'Night and Day' at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the 6th, said, "Today is my birthday," receiving many congratulations. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeolHan Sun-hwa, who plays Sang-mi, revealed that it was her birthday on this day and created a warm atmosphere with congratulations from her colleagues. She beamed, saying, "It is an honor to meet the audience with Director Kim Jong-kwan's film as the opening film at the Busan International Film Festival, which I love so much and which is held in my hometown, Busan."Jang Ryul, playing Young-min, creates a thrilling and peculiar reunion with Han Sun-hwa. He expressed his deep trust, saying, "Our scene was unique, and the plausibility of the dialogue was unconventional, which made it feel distinctive and more enjoyable. I pondered how to express it well cinematically. Han Sun-hwa was excellent. I would like to work with her again on future projects."Jeon So-young, who plays Na-kyung, defined 'Night and Day' as a "learning opportunity," recalling, "It was my second film in my life. I knew nothing, but the seniors and the director patiently taught me everything from A to Z."Kim Dong-hwi, attending his first official event since his discharge from the military in March, plays Jong-su and portrays a couple going through a bittersweet and poignant final moment with Jeon So-young. He added, "I had watched all of Director Kim Jong-kwan's films, and when I received the offer to appear, I felt so proud that I thought, 'This is why being an actor is so great.'"The 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-wooFinally, Director Kim Jong-kwan said, "I wanted to tell a story that looks into the beauty of the small, microscopic world, and the effort involved is by no means small. It requires a lot of commitment and many battles, but I was able to undertake this work and challenge thanks to the passion of the staff and actors who worked with me," attributing the success to them and expressing his special affection for the film.'Night and Day,' selected as the opening film of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, will be released in theaters nationwide in November.Meanwhile, the 31st Busan International Film Festival, which has moved its opening day forward by one day from the usual Wednesday, will be held until the 15th at the Busan Cinema Center and various locations in Busan. This year's official selections include 246 films from 59 countries, an increase of 5 films from last year, along with 69 films for Community BIFF.jiyoon-1031@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]