(=Busan) The Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), a leading film festival representing South Korea and recognized globally as an A-list event, kicked off this year with a film celebrating the beauty of "small and trivial things."
On October 6, the opening film "Day and Night to Each Other" held its premiere and press conference at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae. Attending the event were director Kim Jong-kwan and actors Kim Min-ha, Joo Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Jang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi.
"Day and Night to Each Other" captures the delightful and candid conversations of four couples in a café during the transition from summer to autumn. The film utilizes the café's unique characteristic as a transient space where various people come and go, portraying the characters' individual narratives and atmospheres with a lively rhythm. This is the latest work from director Kim Jong-kwan, known for films such as "Worst Day," "The Table," and "Josee."
Director Kim expressed his excitement, stating, "I thought I had become accustomed to my work over the years, but I can't help but feel nervous about being selected as the opening film. Our movie focuses on the beauty found in small and trivial things."
He elaborated, "While typical films build narratives over months or years, our film consists of just four conversations. I wanted to expand on these dialogues to make the audience imagine where the characters come from and where they are going. Just as literature can convey various aspects of life through a single description of a teacup, I hope this film establishes a deep connection with the audience. I am deeply grateful that being chosen as the opening film highlights the importance of small and trivial matters that the film seeks to convey."
Kim also discussed the film's title and casting process, explaining, "One person is in the day, and another is in the night, sometimes connecting and sometimes being day and night to each other in the same space. I hope it serves as a metaphor for understanding others, contrasting dreams and reality." He noted that he intentionally left many lines in the script open for interpretation, showing his trust in the cast's abilities.
The actors unanimously described the project as a "gift."
Kim Min-ha shared, "I received the script while filming in Toronto. I have been a long-time fan of the director, so it felt like a dream. Reading the script felt like reading someone's diary, and I expressed my gratitude for such a gift. Coincidentally, the day I filmed my episode was my birthday, so it felt like a big present. This work made me realize that small conversations can come together to form letters, films, and even a significant wave."
Han Sun-hwa also remarked, "Today is my birthday, and I feel like I've received a great gift by being part of the opening film of the Busan International Film Festival, which I love, in my hometown of Busan. I had the opportunity to read the director's script during a past trip to Busan, and it was exciting to be part of a project by a director I admire."
Joo Jong-hyuk recalled, "When I met the director two years ago at a dinner during the festival, I felt he was the best listener. I tried to match the natural acting style of my co-star Kim Min-ha, who performs as effortlessly as breathing, and we had fun filming together."
Jang Ryul added, "I enjoyed reading the script while traveling. My episode has unique characteristics in terms of the plausibility of the dialogue, and I was curious about how it would be expressed in the film. I happily worked with Han Sun-hwa."
The actors also shared their thoughts on taking on new acting challenges. Shim Eun-kyung candidly expressed her concerns about portraying a character with a personality very different from her own.
She said, "I honestly wondered why the director suggested this role for me and thought there might be a more suitable actor. However, I wanted to work with a director I admire, so I decided to take on the challenge. The set was so comfortable that I remember it as a beautiful film like a midsummer night's dream."
Jeon So-young expressed gratitude, saying, "This is only my second project, so I didn't even know how to look at the camera, but the director and senior actors guided me step by step. I received a lot of help from senior Kim Dong-hwi."
In response, Kim Dong-hwi said, "I feel proud to be part of a film by a director whose work was always mentioned in my film classes. I finished filming just three days before my military enlistment, and I was able to immerse myself deeply in watching the film today."
The moderator, programmer Jeong Ji-hye, added context on the selection of this year's opening film. She noted, "While the opening films from last year and the year before were indeed grand in scale, this year's film, regardless of its size, holds significant meaning and value. It is an outstanding work crafted meticulously by a creator who has poured their heart into building their own world."
She emphasized that one of the main reasons for the selection was that it is a film that many audiences can enjoy for nearly two hours without difficulty, highlighting the harmony between the director and actors, which is effectively conveyed to a broad audience.
Regarding the overall selection criteria for the festival, she stated, "Each program has different criteria, but the most important thing is to select 'good works' from the submissions. I hope everyone will closely observe the selected films and discuss this year's trends and standards together."
Meanwhile, the 31st Busan International Film Festival, running from October 6 to 15, will showcase a diverse array of 316 films from 59 countries, including 69 films in the Community BIFF section. The opening film was Kim Jong-kwan's "Day and Night to Each Other," while the closing film will feature the award-winning film from Busan.
* This article has been translated by AI.
On October 6, the opening film "Day and Night to Each Other" held its premiere and press conference at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae. Attending the event were director Kim Jong-kwan and actors Kim Min-ha, Joo Jong-hyuk, Han Sun-hwa, Jang Ryul, Shim Eun-kyung, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi.
"Day and Night to Each Other" captures the delightful and candid conversations of four couples in a café during the transition from summer to autumn. The film utilizes the café's unique characteristic as a transient space where various people come and go, portraying the characters' individual narratives and atmospheres with a lively rhythm. This is the latest work from director Kim Jong-kwan, known for films such as "Worst Day," "The Table," and "Josee."
Director Kim expressed his excitement, stating, "I thought I had become accustomed to my work over the years, but I can't help but feel nervous about being selected as the opening film. Our movie focuses on the beauty found in small and trivial things."
He elaborated, "While typical films build narratives over months or years, our film consists of just four conversations. I wanted to expand on these dialogues to make the audience imagine where the characters come from and where they are going. Just as literature can convey various aspects of life through a single description of a teacup, I hope this film establishes a deep connection with the audience. I am deeply grateful that being chosen as the opening film highlights the importance of small and trivial matters that the film seeks to convey."
Kim also discussed the film's title and casting process, explaining, "One person is in the day, and another is in the night, sometimes connecting and sometimes being day and night to each other in the same space. I hope it serves as a metaphor for understanding others, contrasting dreams and reality." He noted that he intentionally left many lines in the script open for interpretation, showing his trust in the cast's abilities.
The actors unanimously described the project as a "gift."
Kim Min-ha shared, "I received the script while filming in Toronto. I have been a long-time fan of the director, so it felt like a dream. Reading the script felt like reading someone's diary, and I expressed my gratitude for such a gift. Coincidentally, the day I filmed my episode was my birthday, so it felt like a big present. This work made me realize that small conversations can come together to form letters, films, and even a significant wave."
Han Sun-hwa also remarked, "Today is my birthday, and I feel like I've received a great gift by being part of the opening film of the Busan International Film Festival, which I love, in my hometown of Busan. I had the opportunity to read the director's script during a past trip to Busan, and it was exciting to be part of a project by a director I admire."
Joo Jong-hyuk recalled, "When I met the director two years ago at a dinner during the festival, I felt he was the best listener. I tried to match the natural acting style of my co-star Kim Min-ha, who performs as effortlessly as breathing, and we had fun filming together."
Jang Ryul added, "I enjoyed reading the script while traveling. My episode has unique characteristics in terms of the plausibility of the dialogue, and I was curious about how it would be expressed in the film. I happily worked with Han Sun-hwa."
The actors also shared their thoughts on taking on new acting challenges. Shim Eun-kyung candidly expressed her concerns about portraying a character with a personality very different from her own.
She said, "I honestly wondered why the director suggested this role for me and thought there might be a more suitable actor. However, I wanted to work with a director I admire, so I decided to take on the challenge. The set was so comfortable that I remember it as a beautiful film like a midsummer night's dream."
Jeon So-young expressed gratitude, saying, "This is only my second project, so I didn't even know how to look at the camera, but the director and senior actors guided me step by step. I received a lot of help from senior Kim Dong-hwi."
In response, Kim Dong-hwi said, "I feel proud to be part of a film by a director whose work was always mentioned in my film classes. I finished filming just three days before my military enlistment, and I was able to immerse myself deeply in watching the film today."
The moderator, programmer Jeong Ji-hye, added context on the selection of this year's opening film. She noted, "While the opening films from last year and the year before were indeed grand in scale, this year's film, regardless of its size, holds significant meaning and value. It is an outstanding work crafted meticulously by a creator who has poured their heart into building their own world."
She emphasized that one of the main reasons for the selection was that it is a film that many audiences can enjoy for nearly two hours without difficulty, highlighting the harmony between the director and actors, which is effectively conveyed to a broad audience.
Regarding the overall selection criteria for the festival, she stated, "Each program has different criteria, but the most important thing is to select 'good works' from the submissions. I hope everyone will closely observe the selected films and discuss this year's trends and standards together."
Meanwhile, the 31st Busan International Film Festival, running from October 6 to 15, will showcase a diverse array of 316 films from 59 countries, including 69 films in the Community BIFF section. The opening film was Kim Jong-kwan's "Day and Night to Each Other," while the closing film will feature the award-winning film from Busan.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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