BUSAN — A sudden chill filled the air as audience members shed tears at the opening of the 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), which also held a heartfelt tribute to the late “Parasite” (2019) actor Lee Sun-kyun.

Fellow actors Song Joong-ki and Ha Yoon-kyung were spotted teary-eyed during the emotional memorial at the festival’s opening ceremony on Wednesday evening, as the audience solemnly paid respects to the star who died almost a year ago.

The festival’s opening ceremony was held at the Busan Cinema Center in the southern port city’s Haeundae District, kicking off its 10-day run with thousands of people filling the venue. This year’s hosts were actors Park Bo-young and Ahn Jae-hong.


Actor Lee Sun-kyun was honored with the Korean Cinema Award, given to those who have contributed to promoting Korean films globally.

“It was truly a poignant goodbye,” said Park after the tribute video. “Just as in the final words of ‘My Mister’ [2018], we sincerely hope he has found the peace he sought.”

Two other awards — the Camellia Award and the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award — were also presented during the night.

Production designer Ryu Seong-hie, who was behind the production designs of numerous renowned Korean films, such as “Decision to Leave” (2022), “The Handmaiden” (2016) and “Old Boy” (2003), took home the first-ever Camellia Award, established this year to honor prominent filmmakers whose work has enhanced the status of women in the film industry.

“When I first started my career, there weren’t many female production designers, and genre films were considered a male domain,” Ryu said. “After being rejected countless times by production companies, I decided to survive and change their bias. I wanted to prove that genre films made by women can also be creative, intense, rough and terrifying.”

This year’s Asian Filmmaker of the Year award went to Japanese director Kiyoshi Kurosawa. The award is given to those who have made significant contributions to the growth of Asian cinema and the film industry, as well as nurturing future filmmakers.

The event took a lighter turn as the cast and director of BIFF’s opening film “Uprising” took the stage, introducing the film and their roles while also showing gratitude for being selected for the event’s opening film.

"Uprising," a Netflix original film, became the first-ever film created by an online streaming platform to open Korea's largest film festival.

"I can't help but keep thinking that this situation feels really unfair,” actor Park Jeong-min, who plays Jong-ryeo in the film, said while standing between two tall actors, Gang Dong-won and Cha Seung-won. “I don’t know why, but I keep thinking that something about this just doesn’t feel right. Also, this moment made me determined to work harder on my acting."

Ahead of the opening ceremony, a red carpet event was held where hundreds of people gathered near the venue and even across the street, finding spots to catch a glimpse of the actors and filmmakers from around the world. The red carpet welcomed stars like Song, Lee Jung-jae, Kentaro Sakaguchi, Yutaka Matsushige, Gang Dong-won, Claudia Kim and many more.

“Please give us a wave, brother!” a man with a thick Busan accent said to the celebrities that were waiting for their turn to walk on the red carpet.

Across the street, the family members of actors were also eagerly waiting, anticipating the arrival of their loved ones scheduled to walk down the red carpet.

“We came here for [the festival] because my dad is a cinematographer and his film is showing,” Adrianne Yñiguez, 32, from the Philippines, said. Yñiguez is the daughter of the cinematographer of “The Hearing,” Boy Yñiguez. “It’s having its international premiere in Busan,” she said.

The brother of actor Choi Lee-rang, who stars in director Choi Jong-yong’s “Waterdrop,” screening under BIFF’s New Currents section, was also eagerly waiting for his younger brother to appear on the red carpet with flowers prepared. “My younger brother is in one of BIFF’s films,” Choi Seung-won, 14, said.

Choi Lee-rang's acting teacher Lee Ji-hye, 36, was also present with Choi's brother, waiting for her student to show up on the red carpet.

"Seeing one of my beloved students shine on the red carpet at the Busan International Film Festival is sure to bring me to tears,” the teacher said. “Honestly, just thinking about it is already making me feel overwhelmed with emotion."

The teacher, who is an actor, herself, showed her anticipation toward the festival, saying, “I hope to gain plenty of energy and motivation from the other amazing works and talented actors."

Twin sisters, who had tickets for the opening ceremony, also showed their excitement for the festival, saying, “I'm excited to watch films that I can't typically see in regular theaters, and I'm especially looking forward to the red carpet with the actors."

The 29th BIFF will run through Oct. 11, with a total of 278 films, including 54 Community BIFF selections. This year's event has made a more mainstream turn, opening up further to streaming platforms and adding a touch of K-pop to the roster of films also.

The documentary "RM: Right People, Wrong Place," featuring BTS leader RM's album-making process and his eight-month journey before joining the military, will be screened on the outdoor screen of the Busan Cinema Center.

Numerous other events have been prepared for visitors, such as master classes with world-renowned directors Ann Hui, Miguel Gomes and Kiyoshi Kurosawa. Special Talk sessions, the Actor’s House and Outdoor Greeting events are also lined up.

“Now we are ready to set sail into the ocean of cinema,” Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon said during the festival’s opening speech. “All the great films, dazzling stars and comfortable cinemas are ready. It’s time for our beloved festivalgoers to join. Let’s embark on our journey.”

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]