Gijang County is collaborating with the Film Commission to develop the upcoming Busan Gijang Film Studio, set to open at the end of September, into a regional landmark.
As the Film Commission will oversee the studio's operations, the county is focusing on discussions regarding support for filming personnel, tourism connections, and community development.
On August 10, Gijang County Mayor Woo Seong-bin visited the construction site of the Busan Gijang Film Studio in Jang-an-eup, where he met with Film Commission Chairman Han Sang-jun and other officials to review the project's progress and discuss cooperation for post-opening operations and community benefits.
Construction of the Busan Gijang Film Studio began in 2024 and will feature three indoor studios (1,000 pyeong, 650 pyeong, and 450 pyeong) along with an 8,260 pyeong open studio and artwork facilities. The 450 pyeong indoor studio will be the first virtual production (VFX) studio in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions, equipped with advanced film production infrastructure.
Mayor Woo expressed his commitment to developing the Busan Gijang Film Studio as a core future industry for Gijang County, stating, "Once the studio is fully operational, many filming personnel will be able to stay in Gijang for extended periods, so we need to assess the necessary infrastructure for lodging, dining, and transportation in advance. We will consider various ways to develop accommodation and convenience infrastructure, referencing major overseas filming locations and gathering input from local residents."
He also expressed hope that the Busan Gijang Film Studio would become a key landmark representing Gijang County, emphasizing the importance of close cooperation with the Film Commission for successful opening and operations, as well as for domestic and international promotion.
The Film Commission will be responsible for the studio's management and operations. A county official explained, "The Film Commission will handle operations, while the county will support areas related to residents and tourism." Inquiries related to filming will also be directed to the Film Commission.
The county is currently assisting filming crews from outside the area by providing information on local accommodations and restaurants, as well as introducing available transportation resources.
As the plans for accommodation and convenience facilities are still in the pre-construction phase, no specific details have been finalized, and discussions are ongoing through meetings with the Film Commission.
A county official noted, "Filming teams often consist of dozens of members staying for several days, so we are reviewing the forms of support needed. We plan to keep communication channels open and prepare in advance for any good solutions that arise."
Once the outdoor filming studio is established, Gijang County plans to utilize it as a key tourism resource and will continue to collaborate with the Film Commission to link the film and video industry with tourism and the local economy. However, the scope of access will be determined based on the size and nature of the sets to be built in the future.
The Film Commission has responded that it will seek various community development cooperation plans with Gijang County and plans to promote the Busan Gijang Film Studio to domestic and international film industry representatives and the public during the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) in October.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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