[31st BIFF] From 'Tuesday Opening' to the arrival of masters in Busan... The 'Busan International Film Festival' gets hotter

Alfonso Cuarón & Michelle Yeoh Among Global StarsFrom a tribute to the late Ahn Sung-ki to open talks and outdoor stage greetings... connecting with the audienceThe 31st Busan International Film Festival, which opened on the 6th, is bustling with moviegoers who have come to enjoy films near the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan. /Busan=Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol[THE FACT|Busan=Reporter Kim Saet-byeol] The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which has raised its status as a world-class film festival, is heating up as it passes the halfway point of its ten-day run after a spectacular opening.The 31st Busan International Film Festival, which kicked off on the 6th with the unprecedented change of a 'Tuesday opening,' has been colored with a festive atmosphere around the Busan Cinema Center, with the attendance of world-renowned directors, a glamorous red carpet parade of stars, and a heartfelt tribute to the eternal 'national actor,' the late Ahn Sung-ki.In particular, a rich lineup of programs that directly communicate with the audience, including the performance of actress Kim Min-ha, who served as the sole host from the opening day, and various open talks and outdoor stage greetings for new films, are captivating the attention of film fans visiting Haeundae.Actress Kim Min-ha walks the red carpet at the '31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)' held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 6th. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo◆ First Tuesday Opening & First Solo Hosting by Kim Min-haThis year's Busan International Film Festival announced a new leap forward by being officially selected as an 'A-list film festival,' the highest grade from the International Federation of Film Producers Associations (FIAPF). Not only has it been placed alongside world-class film festivals such as Cannes, Berlin, and Venice, but its status has also been elevated by offering eligibility for the Academy Awards (Oscars) International Feature Film Award to the winner of the 'Busan Award-Grand Prize,' the top prize in the competition section.In line with this status, the festival attempted a 'Tuesday opening' for the first time on the 6th, breaking the tradition that has continued since 2002, in an effort to sustain the excitement for a longer period. The number of screenings per day has been expanded from Thursday to Sunday, and a total of 316 films, including 247 official selections from 59 countries, are being shown to audiences on 31 screens.Furthermore, actress Kim Min-ha set another new record by serving as the sole host of the opening ceremony.The Busan International Film Festival appointed Kim Min-ha as the sole MC, recognizing her consistent dedication to faithfully portraying the inner lives of characters through her profound interpretations in each of her works. As a result, Kim Min-ha, as the first-ever 'solo opening ceremony host,' delivered a sincere yet confident performance.Kim Min-ha is also the lead actress in the opening film 'Night and Day' and the On Screen selection 'Honey Job.' She has become the undisputed star of this film festival, having handled everything from the opening film press conference, red carpet, and opening ceremony hosting to the film's open talk, Actors' House, and 'Honey Job' open talk.The '31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF)' is being held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan on the afternoon of the 6th, with actors walking the red carpet. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo◆ Alfonso Cuarón's First Visit to Korea & Michelle Yeoh's Return to Busan After 15 Years... Global Stars GatherThe attendance of world-renowned filmmakers in Busan was also a major highlight of this year's festival. From the opening ceremony, the names of international masters and stars continued to appear, making the status of the festival as an international film festival palpable.Michelle Yeoh visited Busan for the first time in 15 years. As the recipient of the '2026 Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award,' she personally received the trophy at the opening ceremony. A special program, 'Michelle Yeoh: All of Time, All of Everything,' was also prepared to illuminate her film career, which began with 'Yes, Madam' and continued through 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' 'Tomorrow Never Dies,' and 'Everything Everywhere All at Once,' establishing her as a global actress.Director Alfonso Cuarón visited Korea for the first time. He, who has won the Academy Award for Best Director twice for 'Gravity' and 'Roma,' met with audiences through a special talk after the IMAX screening of 'Gravity' and a masterclass, following his attendance at the opening ceremony.In addition, world-renowned masters such as French actress Isabelle Huppert, actress and director Maggie Gyllenhaal, and director Hirokazu Kore-eda visited Busan. Japanese actors Kento Yamazaki and Shunsuke Michieda, Chinese star Fan Bingbing, as well as Charlotte Gainsbourg, Erika Sawajiri, and the group (G)I-DLE SHUHUA also appeared at the festival, adding to its global appeal.The 31st Busan International Film Festival is honoring a great star of Korean cinema with the special program 'Beautiful Days, Ahn Sung-ki,' allowing many audiences to reminisce about him. The photo shows a scene from the retrospective exhibition. /Korean Film Archive◆ Tribute to the Late Ahn Sung-ki... A Chapter of Korean Cinema Revisited Through 'Beautiful Days'This year's Busan International Film Festival is also a place to honor a great star of the Korean film industry. Through the special program 'Beautiful Days, Ahn Sung-ki,' a time and space has been created to look back at the film career of the late Ahn Sung-ki, who passed away in September, and the works he left behind.Ahn Sung-ki debuted as a child actor in 'The Twilight Train' in 1957 and began his full-fledged career as an adult actor with 'A Fine, Windy Day' in 1980. For over 60 years, he remained active in the Korean film industry, acting in numerous films and being loved as a representative actor of Korean cinema. After being diagnosed with leukemia in 2020 and undergoing treatment, he passed away on September 20th at the age of 75.This special program is particularly meaningful as it focuses on the films personally recommended by Ahn Sung-ki during his lifetime. Through six films, including 'A Fine, Windy Day' (1980), 'Whale Hunting' (1984), 'Chilsu and Mansu' (1988), 'The Gag Man' (1989), 'White War' (1992), and 'The Festival' (1996), the program revisits the acting of Ahn Sung-ki and a chapter of Korean cinema in the 1980s and 1990s.Special audience Q&A sessions were also held alongside the screenings. Directors Lee Jang-ho, Bae Chang-ho, Park Kwang-su, Lee Myung-se, and Chung Ji-young, who worked with Ahn Sung-ki, as well as actors Kim Bo-yeon, Kim Soo-chul, and Bae Jong-ok, attended to reminisce about him. Additionally, directors Jang Kun-jae, Kim Cho-hee, Park Yi-woong, Yoon Dan-bi, and Oh Jung-min, along with film critic Jung Sung-il and political scientist Kim Ji-yoon, served as moderators to discuss Ahn Sung-ki's film and acting career.Numerous actors appearing in various films met with prospective viewers and audiences up close on the outdoor stage of the 31st Busan International Film Festival. /Busan=Reporter Park Heon-woo, Reporter Kim Sung-ryeol◆ Open Talks & Outdoor Stage Greetings... Meeting Films and Series Before the AudienceThe open talks and outdoor stage greetings, where audiences attending the festival could experience the films up close, exploded with anticipation from prospective viewers and audiences. This is because the actors and directors of films scheduled for release or premiere took to the stage to talk about their works.First, the open talk for director Lee Chang-dong's 'Possible Love,' which won the Silver Lion at the Venice International Film Festival, featured Jeon Do-yeon, Sol Kyung-gu, Jo In-sung, and Jo Yeo-jeong, who received great cheers and applause in a warm atmosphere.Renowned stars such as Ryu Seung-ryong and Park Hae-joon of 'The Family' Ong Seong-wu, Jung Sung-il, Yoo Jae-myung, and Ryu Hyun-kyung of 'Sapiens,' director Stephanie Ahn and Choi Hee-seo, Son Suk-ku of 'Bedford Park,' director Woo Min-ho of 'Made in Korea Season 2,' and Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Do-wan Kwak also took the stage, drawing a massive crowd around the Busan Cinema Center.The opening film 'Night and Day' also met the audience again. Director Kim Jong-kwan, along with Kim Min-ha, Joo Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Shim Eun-kyung, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi, attended the open talk to discuss the love story created by four pairs of men and women.For 'Honey Job,' director Kim Da-min, director Han Jun-hee, Kim Min-ha, and Choi Hyun-wook attended to introduce the film. Notably, during the 'Honey Job' open talk, Lee Jae-wook, who is currently serving in the military, made a surprise appearance from the audience and greeted them on stage, adding an unexpected element of fun.The Disney+ original series 'The Second Husband' will also be unveiled in Busan. Ahead of its release on November 4th, director Jo Soo-won, Shin Min-a, Joo Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, and Lee Se-young are scheduled to promote the series through outdoor stage greetings.The greatest charm of a film festival is the direct interaction between films, filmmakers, and audiences in one space. This year's Busan International Film Festival is also heading towards its midpoint, with an expanded screening scale, the visit of global filmmakers, and a blend of tributes and encounters.Attention is focused on what films and filmmakers will once again set Busan ablaze during the festival, which continues until the 15th.[Entertainment Department | Ong Seong-wu]sstar1204@tf.co.krssent@tf.co.kr