[BIFF 2023] Thousands flock to Busan for BIFF red carpet, opening ceremony events

The 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) kicked off with a star-studded red carpet event and opening ceremony. Veteran actor Song Kang-ho hosted the event, with renowned actors and directors in attendance.

Film industry insiders including actors and directors attend the opening ceremony of the 28th Busan International Film Festival, held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, eastern Busan, on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

BUSAN — A starry night welcomed cinephiles and film industry insiders upon the opening of the 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) Wednesday evening. The opening ceremony was held at Busan Cinema Center in the southern port city's Haeundae District, with thousands of people filling the red-and-black clad venue and the crème de la crème of the Korean film scene gracing the red carpet.

Veteran actor Song Kang-ho of Oscar-winning “Parasite” (2019) hosted the red carpet event before the official opening ceremony, welcoming the likes of Song Joong-ki, John Cho, director Lee Chang-dong, Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat and many more. Song and Chow embraced on the red carpet as the latter arrived as one of the first guests to set foot at the opening of the BIFF.

“I started out as an actor in 1973, exactly 50 years ago from now,” Chow said when reporters flocked to his side on the red carpet Wednesday. “I am eternally grateful for the Hong Kong film industry that made this happen for me and for my family. I am also very glad to be here tonight to meet with Korean fans and audiences, and I hope for a successful festival in the next 10 days.” Chow then proceeded to take selfies with the many fans waving at him with posters and photos, beaming.

Actor Song Kang-ho, the host of this year's Busan International Film Festival, arrives at the red carpet event before the opening ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, eastern Busan, on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

“I can’t believe I got an autograph from Chow!” one fan exclaimed as the actor turned around and walked toward the seats for the opening ceremony. “He is a living legend, and I think I have watched ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ [2000] like 20 times. I hope Chow will walk around Busan, my hometown, and maybe mingle with the people,” the fan said, laughing.

As more people arrived at the red carpet Wednesday, actors Yoo Ji-tae, Lim Soo-jung, Han Hyo-joo, Cha Seung-won, Fan Bingbing and directors Hirokazu Kore-eda, Kang Jae-kyu, Park Heung-sik and many others made greeted those gathered around the Busan Cinema Center and embraced Song, who played his part as host of the red carpet and saw the stars into the center.

From left, actor Song Kang-ho, Hong Kong actor Chow Yun-fat's wife Jasmine Tan, and Chow pose for a photo at the red carpet event of the Busan International Film Festival at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, eastern Busan, on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

The opening ceremony itself was hosted by actor Park Eun-bin, who was originally expected to be accompanied by fellow actor Lee Je-hoon. Lee had to forgo his BIFF duties due to an illness and subsequent surgery, and Park was the sole host of the opening ceremony Wednesday. This year was the first time for the BIFF opening ceremony to be hosted by one person.

“I am pretty nervous to be hosting BIFF all by myself, but with Lee’s well wishes and all of your support, I will gather all this positive energy and channel it into the festival,” Park said during her opening monologue for the ceremony Wednesday evening. Dressed in forget-me-not blue, Park looked the part and did not seem to be nervous at all.

Actor Song Kang-ho, the host of this year's Busan International Film Festival, arrives at the red carpet event before the opening ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, eastern Busan, on Wednesday. [SONG BONG-GEUN]

“BIFF is the largest and most prestigious film festival in Asia and an event that gives hope to all who love cinema,” Park said. “It also gives us courage, to see so many of those dedicated to the art and to meet with each other who adore, watch and make films. I myself feel a fluttering sensation when thinking about the endless number of film lovers and colleagues that I look forward to meeting over the next 10 days.”

Following Park’s opening remarks, a special short video to honor the late actor Yoon Jeong-hee, an icon of the Korean film scene from the 1960s to '80s, was shown during the ceremony. Yoon’s daughter, violinist Baik Jin-hee, performed a song as footage from Yoon’s illustrious career was shown on the huge screen set up outside the Busan Cinema Center. A lifetime achievement award was then handed to Baik by director Lee Chang-dong to honor Yoon’s memory.

Actor Park Eun-bin, the host of the opening ceremony of this year's Busan International Film Festival, waves to fans at the red carpet event before the opening ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, eastern Busan, on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Next, Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon climbed the stage to welcome everyone gathered for the opening ceremony, making a speech about the merits of cinema.

“When you think of Busan, you think first of the sea and then of movies,” Park said. “Films are a window into our lives. They make us feel the ups and downs of living itself, and put a light on things that we may overlook. Films are special in that way. I hope that BIFF will become an event that will send off this autumn season with lots of meaning and make you fall in love with films all over again.”

Even as the opening ceremony came to a close, film fans gathered around the Busan Cinema Center did not show any signs of leaving soon. Many still had their hands tightly wrapped around their smartphones in anticipation of catching any last-minute photos of stars exiting the ceremony.

Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon attends the red carpet event before the opening ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, eastern Busan, on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

“I came from Nagasaki for BIFF,” a Japanese festivalgoer named Isamu said. “This event is the largest film festival in all of Asia, and I couldn’t miss it. I took a photo of Song Joong-ki, who I am a huge fan of after seeing his dramas. I managed to get tickets for the Actor’s House session with him, and I have all of these questions to ask,” Isamu said with a smile.

“I changed my travel plans to be able to come to BIFF,” said Samantha, another festivalgoer and a student from New York who was visiting Korea for her vacation. “I have been to film festivals back home and in Europe but never one over here. I am most looking forward to seeing how independent films in Asia are different from those elsewhere.”

The 28th BIFF continues until Oct. 13, and more than 30 big and small events have been prepared for visitors. Luc Besson, the legendary film director known globally for “Léon: The Professional” (1994) is set to arrive in the next couple of days, while Open Talk events, Actor’s House sessions and gala presentations are also lined up. A total of 269 feature and short films from 69 countries are to be screened during the 10 days.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]