Ryu Jun-yeol "Busan Makes Me Feel Like Both an Actor and a Filmmaker" [2022 BIFF]

by Lee Yiseul

Published 05 Oct.2022 19:26(KST)

The 27th Busan International Film Festival On Site

Ryu Jun-yeol / Photo by C-JeS

[Busan=Asia Economy Reporter Lee Iseul] Actor Ryu Jun-yeol (36) shared his thoughts on opening this year's Busan International Film Festival.

On the 5th, Ryu recalled, "Busan International Film Festival was a place I used to visit personally with friends, but I was deeply moved when I was first invited in 2015 for 'Socialphobia'." He added, "Being invited as the first guest to Asia's largest film festival where all filmmakers gather made me realize that I am an actor and a filmmaker," giving it a special meaning.

He will serve as the host of the opening ceremony of the 27th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), held at the Busan Cinema Center on Suyeonggangbyeon-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan, at 7 p.m. He said, "It has been seven years since my debut work 'Socialphobia,' and now I am hosting the opening ceremony. I feel honored and touched." He also added, "I am glad to be part of the start of the festival's normalization after three years of the pandemic as the host."

He continued, "I remember when I walked the red carpet at the Busan International Film Festival with 'Glory Day' (2016), Chairwoman Kang Soo-yeon warmly welcomed me," and said, "Although it was brief, it was a very warm and intense moment and memory, and coming to Busan brings those memories back."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "Even without any entries, I personally visited the Busan International Film Festival almost every year to enjoy the festival. My memories in Busan have always been joyful, and the films I watched at the festival still remain vivid in my mind. Indeed, the Busan International Film Festival seems to be a place that creates good memories for everyone who loves movies."

Ryu Jun-yeol said, "It was the same in the past, and as someone who loves movies, I will always come to Busan with the same heart in the future. I hope everyone enjoys the journey unfolding over the next 10 days."