Busan to host 21st International Magic Festival with competition, gala shows

Performers stand for a curtain call during the 20th edition of the Busan International Magic Festival at Busan Cinema Center, June 22, 2025. Courtesy of Busan Metropolitan City

The city of Busan and the Busan International Magic Festival (BIMF) Organizing Committee will hold the 21st annual Magic Convention from June 26 to 28 at the Busan Cinema Center, organizers announced Monday.

The three-day indoor program at the Cinema Center's Sky Theater includes a Magic Gala Show featuring eight top-ranked magicians from Korea, France, Taiwan and Malaysia; the International Magic Competition, which is open to emerging performers; magic lectures by professional magicians; and a Winner Show spotlighting competition standouts.

This year's Gala Show will include a performance by Jang Hae-seok, who appeared on the SBS entertainment program "The Magic Star." Yang Jae-hyeok, who won the Stage 1 category at last year's international competition, is set to perform in the Winner Show.

The International Magic Competition will be judged under the same rules as the World Championship of Magic run by the Federation Internationale des Societes Magiques (FISM) — the global governing body for magic — making it the last qualifying opportunity before next year's FISM Asia Magic Championship.

Twenty-three competitors from Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Indonesia have advanced to the finals, with Italian judge Dominico Dante presiding over the jury.

Running concurrently on June 26 and 27 along Haeundae's Gunam-ro street, the 8th Busking Championship is free to attend and features 10 teams from four countries performing magic, juggling, clown acts and other street performances.

Tickets are available through YES24, Naver, Interpark Ticket and Nolleui Balgyeon. More information is at hibimf.org.

"Magic is an art that brings wonder and joy to people," said a city official. "We hope this festival brings vitality and happiness to citizens' everyday lives."

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.