The 30th Busan International Film Festival has selected actor Lee Byung-hun as the host for the opening ceremony.
This year's 30th Busan International Film Festival opens with actor Lee Byung-hun, marking the start of a new leap. Since the 8th Busan International Film Festival in 2003, Lee has maintained a consistent relationship with Busan and will be the first male solo host in history, expected to solidify the symbolic weight of the festival in its 30th edition.
Entering his 35th year in the industry, Lee Byung-hun has established himself as a 'world-class' actor representing Korea with an inexhaustible spectrum of acting and an irreplaceable presence, traversing both the big and small screens. Recently, he has appeared in the Netflix series "Squid Game," further enhancing the international status of Korean content. The selection of Lee Byung-hun as the host for the opening ceremony of the Busan International Film Festival carries more significance than simply being a presenter. The opening ceremony of the 30th Busan International Film Festival will be a pivotal moment that redefines the festival's identity and direction, creating a special stage that unites the audience and filmmakers as Lee Byung-hun participates in this meaningful moment.
Lee Byung-hun has garnered both artistic and commercial success with his top-notch acting in films such as "Inside Men" (2015), "The Fortress" (2017), "The Man Standing Next" (2020), "Emergency Declaration" (2022), "Concrete Utopia" (2023), and "No Other Choice" (2025), while sweeping major acting awards and solidifying his status as a representative actor of Korea. He is also expected to showcase a new side of himself in the upcoming film "No Other Choice." Since his Hollywood debut in "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" (2009), he has left a strong impression on the global film industry through appearances in films such as "Red 2" (2013), "Terminator Genisys" (2015), and "The Magnificent Seven" (2016). Recently, he has become a symbol, surpassing the role of a mere actor, with his refined expressiveness and mastery over nuanced emotional delivery in projects like "K-Pop Demon Hunters" (2025) and "The King of Kings" (2025).
The 30th Busan International Film Festival, heightening expectations by selecting actor Lee Byung-hun as the host with his weighty presence alone, will be held from Sept. 17 (Wed) to Sept. 26 (Fri) for 10 days in the area around the Busan Cinema Center.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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