This year's 13th 'Busan International Comedy Festival' promises refreshing laughter to dispel the heat.
The press conference for the 13th 'Busan International Comedy Festival' (hereinafter referred to as Bukope) was held on July 1 at the Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Attendees included Kim Joon-ho, the executive chairman, Choi Dae-woong, the vice executive chairman, Jo Kwang-sik, the vice executive chairman, Kim Dae-hee, a director, Seong Ha-mook, a director, Jo Yoon-ho, a programmer, along with the Comedy Concert with Bukope (Shin Yoon-seung, Jo Soo-hyun, Park Eun-young, Yoo Yeon-jo, Seo Seong-kyung), Byeon Gi-soo's beach show (Byeon Gi-soo, Tak (Bae-chigi), Song Young-gil, Kim Tae-won), Ahn Young-mi Show – Family-friendly (Ahn Young-mi), Madang Assemble @Bukope (Gu Jeong-mo, Yoo Young-woo, Oh Didi, Siot Siot, Woo Da-on, Jeon Ye-won, Yang Hye-won), Seoul Comedy All-Stars (Kim Dong-ha, Park Cheol-hyun), Comedy Association (Lim Jong-hyuk, Jang Yoon-seok), and the closing performance - I Am a Dog Singer (Kim Na-hee, Lee Sang-ho, Lee Sang-min), Book concert & closing performance MC (Lee Hong-ryeol), and Story Episode (Lee Gwang-seob, Lee Won-goo).
Beginning as Asia's first comedy festival in 2013, Bukope will unfold over ten days from August 29 to September 7 throughout Busan. The opening performance at BEXCO Auditorium is set to feature over 100 comedians, including top comedians from South Korea and overseas comedians from nine countries, as well as popular YouTube creators, promising a special time. The 'Comedy Concert' team will open the show, and the master of ceremonies, Park Myung-soo, aims to completely dispel the summer heat.
Following the music video performance of the theme song 'When You Laugh, Good Fortune Comes,' the event began with the stage of Bae-chigi Tak's 'My Wind.' This year's Bukope event is gearing up to fill Korea with laughter, featuring Comedy Street Fringe's preview performance, Ham Seo-yul's 'The Happening Show,' and videos showcasing 'I Transferred to Love' and 'Communication King Mal-ja Hal-mae Show.'
The opening ceremony, scheduled for 7 p.m. on the 29th at the BEXCO Auditorium, will be MCed by Park Myung-soo, while creator Lala will disguise as Lee Myung-hwa for a performance. Kim Joon-ho noted, "I believe 'Comedy Concert' is the only remaining comedy program left from our meetings. I thought it would be symbolic for 'Comedy Concert' to perform." Vice Executive Chairman Choi Dae-woong explained, "'Comedy Concert' was chosen considering ticket power."
Executive Chairman Kim Joon-ho, who married comedian Kim Ji-min on the 13th of last month, is focusing on Bukope, even postponing his honeymoon, showcasing his passion as 'Gaeboji' (Father of Comedy). Kim Joon-ho shared, "My wife Kim Ji-min has a recording to attend that day. She's coming down late, and I'm hoping for a hot night. Isn't it a festival?"
Kim Joon-ho said, "What we dream of is to create a Busan comedy theater platform and nurture talent. This year, we established a comedy course at Dongseo University, which will continue for a second semester after six months of classes. To achieve internationalization, we need to cultivate talent and develop content throughout the year so that K-comedy can emerge like K-dramas and K-pop. We have been focusing on this since the 10th festival."
He then added, "Due to climate change, Busan has become hotter, and last year and the year before audiences were a bit scarce. This time, it will be held at BEXCO Auditorium. The opening ceremony will be different, and there will be street performances. Last year, there wasn't much space for performing comedians, but this year many teams are expected to participate," he explained about the changes. Byeon Gi-soo remarked, "What's expected this year is stand-up comedy. I hope people look forward to the potential of stand-up comedy, which can be done creatively and amusingly."
Recently, comedy has been consumed a lot through short forms. Kim Joon-ho mentioned, "From the 1st to the 7th, 'Comedy Concert' and 'Comedy Big League' teams performed successfully. After that, when 'Comedy Concert' was discontinued, we started inviting comedians turned YouTubers, but the response wasn't very good. Kwak Beom and Lee Chang-ho performed like unknowns, but after gaining popularity on YouTube, their fandom formed, and when they came back to Bukope, they received immense popularity. Just like singers, it seems we can do enough both online and offline. I remember being shocked when I received a lot of backlash last year at Kwak Beom's concert when I asked, 'What are you?' I think comedians in Korea are creating their own performances and showcasing various acts through their channels."
On August 30 at 3 p.m. and August 31 at 5 p.m. at Dongseo University Sohyang Theater Shinhan Card Hall, 'Comedy Concert with Bukope' allows families to enjoy comedy performances in person, a more entertaining experience than watching on TV or smartphones. Park Eun-young noted, "The 'Comedy Concert' team is the only public comedy stage where comedians stand on stage. We are working hard to bring laughter to many people, and I feel that a lot of fandom has developed through the commute home. I hope to bring refreshing laughter in Busan and to have the opportunity to meet directly."
The 'Byeon Gi-soo's beach show' will take place on August 30 at 2 p.m. and August 31 at 5 p.m. in the cultural hall on the 9th floor of Shinsegae Centum City. It is expected to offer refreshing 19+ comedy that cannot be seen anywhere else as a comedy sexy show for adults. Byeon Gi-soo stated, "I've spent a lot of time with 'Bukope' since the beginning; there have been changes in members to catch the hearts of the generation that misses comedy. Although Park Se-mi, who I have been with for 10 years, is not here, I have formed a team with middle-aged comedians who love comedy. The content of the performance has also changed, and with Bae-chigi Tak, it will feel like a concert that everyone can enjoy."
'Ahn Young-mi Show: Family-friendly (Sseum) Show' will be held on August 30 at 5 p.m. and August 31 at 2 p.m. in the cultural hall on the 9th floor of Shinsegae Centum City. There is high anticipation as audiences will be able to see Ahn Young-mi's raunchy wit and humor that were previously censored by broadcast regulatory committees.
Ahn Young-mi explained, "I really wanted to do this show. I have dreamed of a 19+ show since before marriage, but it was taboo at that time, and I was also fearful. After having children and watching juniors perform, along with various content, I reflected, 'Why was I so scared?' Surprisingly, many people enjoy 19+ comedy, and I thought, why not give it a try? Having a child has given me courage to take the stage, and I will address various sex stories, while not being able to reveal where my husband is."
She further added, "Just because it's titled Family-friendly (Sseum) show, don't think I will only dance. The title was chosen to share various stories that I couldn't say on air. I hope there are no misunderstandings, and I will convey enjoyable and humorous sexual topics comfortably and without discomfort."
Continuing the myth of selling out in one second, the metacomedy talk show 'Madang Assemble @Bukope' will be held on August 30 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Busan Citizens' Hall's small theater. The 'Madang Assemble' team shared, "This year, we've increased our members. I hope that the fresh newcomers active on various platforms can shake Busan even harder. Please anticipate a lot."
The comedy company 'Comedy Association,' featuring Shin Yoon-seung, Park Min-seong, Lim Seon-yang, and Lim Seul-ki, will present detailed and lively comedy at the Busan Bank's main building on the 2nd floor, on September 7 at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Shin Yoon-seung remarked, "Some may think I suddenly popped up, but I have been steadily performing in small venues. I wanted to create performances independently and prepared exciting content since I believe many people will come. I look forward to your participation and interest."
'Seoul Comedy All-Stars' will be held at the Busan Bank's main building on the 2nd floor on August 31 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., and September 6 at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. It is a stand-up comedy show that makes audiences laugh purely with just a microphone and wit, without any limits on makeup, sound, or materials. 'Seoul Comedy All-Stars' is performing two consecutive weeks for the first time at Bukope, which I believe is due to its entertainment value and solid stage composition, and I hope many look forward to it."
The closing performance, 'I Am a Dog Singer,' will be held on September 7 at 6 p.m. at the Busan Cultural Center's grand theater, hosted by Lee Hong-ryeol, featuring Park Sung-ho, Kim Na-hee, the Three Ugly Brothers, Son Heon-soo, and Wink. Lee Hong-ryeol commented, "I have been appearing at Bukope occasionally, but I cannot express how happy I am to host at this 13th closing ceremony. It is such a source of pride to see my juniors continuing the legacy of comedy, and I think of the seniors I admired while dreaming of becoming a comedian myself. Many have passed, but I have become the oldest member. The reason I mention my seniors is to pridefully share that such wonderful juniors are present. Seniors who have carried on comedy from traveling theatre to the present have seen the broadcasting environment change, and public comedy stages have disappeared, but the juniors are doing wonderfully. I sincerely thank the juniors."
Lee Hong-ryeol also mentioned, "Comedians have diverse talents, and this time, 'Dog Singers' will come out to entertain. I have also released several albums. Park Sung-ho, the Three Ugly Brothers, Kim Jae-rong, Kim Na-hee, Lee Sang-min, Lee Sang-ho, Son Heon-soo, and others will contribute to the show. There will also be a book concert featuring Jeon Yoo-seong and Jeong Seon-hee, and we plan to give a lecture in advance, showcasing wonderful books written by comedians, and we are planning a fantastic concert that will truly surpass other book concerts."
Lee Sang-min and Lee Sang-ho, who will participate in 'I Am a Dog Singer,' said, "We will work hard to create an enjoyable and happy stage, given that comedians have diverse abilities" and Kim Na-hee added, "It's my first time gaining an official stage with the title 'Dog Singer,' so I am looking forward to it. I will present a wonderful performance that meets expectations."
Additionally, international performances such as 'Bungtopia,' 'Work and All,' 'The Strongest Japanese Comedy Show,' and 'MICF Roadshow Busan' are expected to fill Busan with laughter. 'Bungtopia' is a performance featuring Jeff Akrtem, a master of puppetry, with colorful puppets enjoyable for all ages, while 'Work and All' is a small concert creating delight for the eyes and ears with a violin and piano. The 'Strongest Japanese Comedy Show' teams up representatives from Japan's largest comedy production company, Yoshimoto Kogyo, promising three distinct comedic styles. MICF Roadshow Busan marks the second participation of the world's largest comedy festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, following last year.
Meanwhile, the 13th 'Busan International Comedy Festival' is currently accepting official ticket reservations through NOL Interpark.
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