[Interview] Jang Hangjun, Executive Chairman at the Turning Point: "From Now On, I'll Be Taking Action Myself"

"From Scaling Up to Creating a True Festival Experience"
Jang Hangjun, Executive Chairman, Outlines His Vision for the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival
Focus on Expanding Content, Increasing Staff, and Strengthening the Festival’s Identity

Jang Hangjun, the executive chairman, is making a finger heart gesture on stage at the opening ceremony of the 21st Jecheon International Music & Film Festival held on the 4th at Jecheon Airfield, Chungbuk. Photo by Jecheon International Music & Film Festival

"It's as if I was born to be the executive chairman. It's a lot of fun. But from now on, I need to get out there and work hard. The storeroom needs to be opened for people to truly enjoy themselves."

Jang Hangjun, the executive chairman of the 21st Jecheon International Music & Film Festival, made these remarks on September 5, the day after the opening ceremony, at a location in Jecheon, Chungbuk. Having started his term this year, he declared that next year, his second year, would be a "year of execution," emphasizing that expanding the budget and increasing staff are his top priorities.

Local officials in Jecheon remarked, "This is the first time so many celebrities have come." Among filmmakers, the response was, "We didn't know this festival could be so much fun." Unusually, most of the actors and directors walked the red carpet even though they did not have invited films.

Chairman Jang said with a laugh, "Since we needed to invite many actors and directors, I started making calls right after taking office, and I set the schedule in advance so there would be no excuses." The opening ceremony was held in a grand fashion. He expressed his gratitude, saying, "Many filmmakers made time in their busy personal schedules and adjusted their filming commitments to attend." He added, "After the opening ceremony, we all had a great time together."

This year, the festival moved its main stage from the lakeside to the city center, including Jecheon Airfield. Chairman Jang explained, "The goal was not simply to scale up." He continued, "A festival truly comes alive when audiences walk between film screenings, performances, and meals. By reducing the inconvenience of moving around, we naturally increased the time people spend at the festival. This year, we placed the screening venues and event spaces close together in the city to create a route that can be enjoyed without a car."

The identity of the festival that Chairman Jang pursues is "not a film festival where you just watch music films, but a celebration where music and film coexist." He added, "Rather than relying on performances, I will prove it through film."

Junhyuk Lee and Doyeon Jang are entering the red carpet event of the 21st Jecheon International Music & Film Festival opening ceremony held on the 4th at Jecheon Airfield in Chungbuk. Photo by Jecheon International Music & Film Festival

Next year, he set a goal to expand content by inviting more new films. He is also considering establishing a drama awards section to spotlight original soundtrack (OST) music from dramas. He said, "There are so many great drama soundtracks," but emphasized, "While we will open up to different generations and media, the core will remain film." Chairman Jang also mentioned, "Just like this year's special screening of 1990s Korean films, we are considering programs that allow older fans to reminisce about those days and younger audiences to experience something new on the big screen."

The Jecheon International Music & Film Festival, which began in 2005, is celebrating its 21st edition this year. In 2023, the budget was cut by half due to poor accounting, and last year, the main screening venue, CGV Jecheon, was closed, causing further challenges.

Chairman Jang revealed, "Currently, the festival office has 38 staff members. That's less than half the 90 staff at the Jeonju Film Festival. Our staff's schedules are so packed that I hardly have time to treat them to a meal." He continued, "No one wins when a festival is forced together. We can't demand passion in such difficult conditions. Next year, I want to increase the staff to reduce the workload and also raise their salaries."