BIFF 2025 Sul Kyung-gu leads hijacking dark comedy 'Good News'BUSAN — Director Byun Sung-hyun’s Netflix film “Good News” is based on the 1970 Yodogo hijacking incident and reinterprets the historical event as a black comedy for the modern era. “The situation itself was like a comedy. I believe a black comedy should not only be funny but also have a sharp edge,” Byun said during a press conference at the Busan International Film Festival on Friday. “Although the incident happened in 1970, I thought it would be a way to tell the story nowadays.” The film was selected for the Gala Presentation section at the festival. The Yodogo hijacking incident refers to the 1970 event where nine members of the Japanese Red Army Faction, a communist group, hijacked a plane as it traveled from Tokyo to Fukuoka and demanded that the pilots fly to North Korea. “Yodogo” was a nickname for the aircraft. Veteran actor Sul Kyung-gu leads the film, playing a mysterious troubleshooter known as Nobody. Sul explained that his character is an enigmatic figure who resolves national issues with his flexible problem-solving skills. “The film has many characteSep 19, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Park Chan-wook tells Lee Byung-hun after BIFF opening: ‘Just stick to acting’Actor Lee Byung-hun shared a lighthearted moment with director Park Chan-wook after stepping in as the solo host of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) opening ceremony. A panel for Park’s new film “No Other Choice” took place at the Busan Cinema Center outdoor stage Thursday, joined by Park and cast members Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min and Yum Hye-ran. The film follows Man-su (Lee), a middle-aged office worker who suddenly loses his job despite believing he had secured a comfortable life. Struggling to protect his wife, two children and newly purchased home, he wages his own battle for survival in a desperate bid for reemployment. Park, acclaimed for “Joint Security Area,” “Sympathy for Lady Vengeance,” and “The Handmaiden,” has established himself as one of Korea’s most celebrated auteurs. Chosen as the opening film for BIFF’s 30th edition, “No Other Choice” marked a milestone for both the festival and Lee, who began his acting career around the time BIFF was launched. “Standing on the same stage as yesterday, I felt my nervSep 19, 2025By Hankookilbo
BIFF 2025 Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi shares unwavering creative spiritBUSAN — Iranian director Jafar Panahi, whose film “It Was Just an Accident” won the Palme d'Or at this year's Cannes Film Festival, spoke of his unwavering creative drive despite facing repression in his home country during the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). "I was banned from filmmaking by the government for 20 years. During that time, I stood in front of the camera myself and drew out ideas to make films. That process led to works like 'Taxi,'" Panahi said during a press conference at the Busan Cinema Center on Thursday. "Ultimately, what I want to say is no one can stop us making films. Filmmakers will always find a way and will surely be able to convey their ideas." Panahi joined the 30th edition of BIFF to receive this year's Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award, which is given annually to an Asian filmmaker who has made a significant contribution to the development of the film industry and culture in Asia. His latest film “It Was Just an Accident” is also scheduled to be released on Oct. 1 in Korea. Panahi picked his wife as the driving force behind his ability toSep 18, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
BIFF 2025 Na Hong-jin vows to lead BIFF’s first competition jury with sincerityBUSAN — Director Na Hong-jin, currently serving as the first jury president of the Busan International Film Festival's (BIFF) new competition section, expressed the desire to do his best in the judging process. "I was on stage at the opening ceremony yesterday. It has been almost 10 years since I've directed a film, so being on a stage like that again after so long almost caused a panic attack," Na said during a press conference at the Busan Cinema Center in Busan, Thursday. "It's a lot of pressure, but I'll do my best. We've made careful and important decisions and it must succeed. I'm going to put my all into it." This year, Asia's leading film festival established a new competition section and created the Busan Award, with the inaugural ceremony to be held on Sept. 26, the closing day. Na was appointed as the head of the competition jury for the landmark first competition, which includes 14 major Asian films. The awards will honor top films from across Asia in five categories: Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Award, Best Actor and Artistic Contribution. Na, who made his directoSep 18, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
InterviewHan Gi-chan finds his voice in ‘Wedding Banquet’Han Gi-chan has never taken the easy route. Fans first spotted him in 2019 on “Produce X 101,” hustling alongside dozens of other trainees, fighting for camera time and lines to sing. Looking back now, he admits those years of idol training unexpectedly prepared him for an acting career that would carry him from Korean web dramas to Vancouver film sets, working opposite screen legends like Youn Yuh-jung. Han is disarmingly honest about his start. “I wasn’t even trying to be a musician,” he told The Korea Times. “I was signed mostly as an acting trainee, but in Korea you also do singing and dancing. That’s the basics. So I thought, OK, I’ll fake it.” The experience also taught him how to perform under pressure. On “Produce X 101,” he played to 50 cameras; on a drama set, there might be two or three. “I was never nervous,” he said. “I already knew how to find the lens.” Last year came his first major TV role in KBS’ “Dare to Love Me.” Then, unexpectedly, came an audition for Andrew Ahn’s “The Wedding Banquet.” Landing the role When Han first saw the sSep 18, 2025By Cynthia SohYoung Yoo
BIFF 2025 Park Chan-wook 'moved' as 'No Other Choice' opens 30th BIFFBUSAN — Director Park Chan-wook expressed his gratitude as his latest film “No Other Choice” was chosen as the opening film for the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), saying this marks the first time one of his works has been selected to open the prestigious event. "Everyone knows this is a project I’ve been preparing for a long time. It took a long time to complete the film and I'm deeply moved that we get the Korean premiere at BIFF," Park said during a press conference at the Busan Cinema Center, Wednesday. "I've been a part of BIFF for a long time, but this is the first time one of my films has been chosen to open it. I'm really thrilled." "No Other Choice" revolves around Man-soo (Lee Byung-hun), a family man who is suddenly laid off and embarks on a desperate fight to find a new job. BIFF programmer Karen Park praised the film as a fitting opener for the anniversary edition. "This is a masterpiece created by some of the greatest filmmakers of our time," she said, referencing director Park and his cast, including Lee, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min and YeSep 17, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
BIFF 2025 Busan film fest kicks off with new official competition section for 30th yearBUSAN — The 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) officially began its 10-day run Wednesday, marking the milestone anniversary with a grand opening ceremony and a new era of global competition. This year's iteration boasts a record number of films and guests, with a total of 241 official selections from 64 countries, an increase of 17 from last year. Including affiliated programs like Community BIFF, a total of 328 films will be shown during the festival. The increase reflects the festival’s growing ambition and reach, as it commemorates three decades of championing Asian cinema and international film culture. For the first time in its 30-year history, BIFF is introducing an official competition section. The inaugural Busan Awards will honor top films from across Asia in five categories: Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Award, Best Actor and Artistic Contribution. The winners will be announced at the closing ceremony. Held at Busan Cinema Center's Outdoor Theater, the festival's opening ceremony was a star-studded affair, hosted by actor Lee Byung-hun. At the opening cSep 17, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
'Demon Slayer' craze in Korea reignites Rising Sun flag controversyThe recent release of the Japanese animated feature “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — The Infinity Castle” continues to captivate the Korean box office, surpassing 4.5 million viewers as of Tuesday, but the film’s popularity has once again spotlighted a long-standing controversy over the use of images resembling the Rising Sun flag, a symbol widely associated with Japan’s wartime imperialism. On Tuesday, Seo Kyoung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women’s University who is known for spearheading efforts to correct historical and cultural misrepresentations of Korea, raised concerns about a Rising Sun flag-inspired accessory depicted in the animation. He also criticized the sale of related merchandise, noting that the image remains a potent symbol of Japanese militarism and colonial aggression in Korea and other parts of Asia. Seo pointed out that various online platforms and shops have been selling accessories modeled after the earrings worn by “Demon Slayer” protagonist Kamado Tanjiro, a design that closely resembles the controversial flag. The earrings previously sparked bSep 16, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
Yeon Sang-ho sees 'new possibilities' in ultra-low-budget film ‘The Ugly’Director Yeon Sang-ho, best known for blockbuster hits like “Train to Busan” and the Netflix series “Hellbound,” has turned to an experiment far removed from the 20 billion won ($14.6 million) productions that made his name. His latest film, “The Ugly,” released Thursday, was made with just 200 million won — a fraction of the budget of his 2020 film “Peninsula.” Despite the scale, the movie drew 310,000 viewers within its first five days, easily surpassing its production costs. “Even though the break-even point has been reached, I still feel indebted to the cast and crew who worked without pay or for minimal wages. To truly repay that debt, maybe 10 million admissions would be enough," Yeon told the Hankook Ilbo. Critics have praised the film’s technical finish despite its minimal resources. Yeon worked with a crew of about 20, shooting over 13 sessions across three weeks. Most of the cast, including lead actor Park Jeong-min, joined without reading the script, motivated by loyalty to Yeon and the material. Park said, “I didn’t expect any profit. I took part becaSep 16, 2025By Hankookilbo
'Your Letter' highlights Korean sensibilities in global animation marketKim Yong-hwan, director of the upcoming animated feature “Your Letter,” wanted to create a film that captures a distinctly Korean story, setting and emotional tone, brought to life by Korean voice actors. "When I first saw the original webtoon, I felt a beautiful and lasting impression," Kim said at the film's premiere at a theater in Seoul, Monday. "As I kept reading it, the resonance grew stronger.” Adapted from the webtoon of the same title by Cho Hyun-ah, the film follows So-ri, a transfer student who stumbles upon a mysterious letter in her desk, leading her on a scavenger hunt to find a series of letters filled with hidden clues. Kim believes the film’s distinctly Korean sensibilities set it apart in an industry often dominated by American and Japanese animation. "We tried to realistically and naturally capture Korean stories, actors and settings," he said. "The film has a unique charm because it’s filled with our own emotions and narratives." The film's art quality has also drawn praise, with its two-dimensional animation considered comparable to the highest standards ofSep 15, 2025By Baek Byung-yeul
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