What will the first Busan International Comedy Festival look like after the late Jeon Yu-seong, who was the spiritual pillar of comedians, passed away?
On the 24th, a press conference for the 14th Busan International Comedy Festival was held at the Shocking K-pop Center in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. At the press conference, the BICF organizing committee (Kim Jun-Ho executive chairman, Choi Dae-woong vice executive chairman, Jo Gwang-sik vice executive chairman, Seong Ha-muk director, Jo Yoon-ho programmer) and Galgali Gag Concert [Galgali Family] Park Joonhyung, Park Seong-ho, Im Hyuk-pil (three classmates from KBS comedian class 13), Seoul Comedy All Stars (Kim Dong-ha, Song Ha-bin, Shin Seung-soo, Kim Jong-chan, Park Jin-joo), Ongals (Jo Su-won, Chae Kyung-sun, Ha Bak, Lee Kyung-seop), Gag Concert (Kim Jin-gon, Shin Yun-seung, Yoon Ji-woong, Lee Soo-kyung, Kim Ga Eun), Jeon Yu-seong-less Jeon Yu-seong show (Lee Hong-ryeol, Shin Bong-sun, Zoltan Lee Jae-hyung·Han Hyun-min·Jung Jin-wook), B-grade hearing (Choi Seong-min, Nam Ho-yeon, Kim Seung-jin) attended.
This year, the Busan International Comedy Festival (hereinafter BICF) will offer audiences joyful laughter with a cross-generational lineup that blends the past and present of Korea's comedy scene. Veteran comedians who have left their mark on the comedy world, domestic creators active on various platforms such as YouTube and live performances, and overseas comedy artists are expected to flood Busan with laughter.
Kim Jun-Ho executive chairman said, "BICF has turned 13 into 14. It has gone from elementary school child to middle school student," adding, "This time we brought the keyword 'return of the legends.' Gag Concert's heyday comedians will appear, and to commemorate the 100th anniversary of senior Go Bong-seo, seniors Kim Hak-rae and Lee Yong-sik will perform. There is also 'Jeon Yu-seong-less Jeon Yu-seong show' to honor senior Jeon Yu-seong. We chose these keywords to commemorate the history the seniors have walked." Vice executive chairman Choi Dae-woong urged much interest not only in domestic team performances but also in overseas performances such as traditional French mime.
The opening of the opening performance will be led by the long-running comedy program 'Malja Show & Gag Concert gala show,' domestic drawing performance team Croquiki Brothers, and world-renowned overseas comedian 'Mime de Lyon' Patrick Cottet Moinet are ready to hunt for laughter. In addition, 'talk master' comedian Jee Seokjin will be the main MC, and the popular band QWER, who has both skill and visuals, will take charge of the celebratory performance.
A performance of 'Gag Concert,' which gathers popular Gag Concert corners, and 'Galgali Gag Concert: return of the legends,' featuring Park Joonhyung, Shim Hyun-seop, Park Seong-ho, Im Hyuk-pil, Park Young-jin, Kim Ji-hye, Oh Ji-heon, Oh Jeong Tae, Park Hwi-soon, will meet audiences. Lee Hong-ryeol, Shin Bong-sun, Kim Shin-young, and Zoltan will appear in 'Jeon Yu-seong-less Jeon Yu-seong show,' which contains the spirit of the late Jeon Yu-seong who inspired countless junior comedians, honoring his achievements with laughter.
The 'Galgali Gag Concert' team said, "We debuted in 1996, and this year marks our 30th anniversary. We are grateful for this wonderful opportunity. We plan to present many of the truly funny public comedies that were shown in the 'Galgali Hall.'" In particular, Park Joonhyung said, "You have seen us grate radishes a lot, so maybe we'll try grating various vegetables, cactuses, and wood. We are preparing a lot and plan to present a variety of corners. Since the subtitle is 'return of the legends,' I will perform with Shim Hyun-seop. Park Seong-ho also has a hidden music talk show, so I hope you look forward to it. There will be big laughs but also touching moments."
The 'Gag Concert' team said, "Because our show's title is 'Gag Concert,' we will present stages seen on broadcasts, but it will feel live and raw. It may be the uncensored YouTube version, so you will feel a different kind of fun than on broadcast," adding, "A comprehensive gift set, like a full-course Korean meal, is prepared. We hope you find the corners that suit your taste and leave having laughed your fill."
Shin Bong-sun of the 'Jeon Yu-seong-less Jeon Yu-seong show' team explained, "A team of me, Kim Shin-young, and Zoltan was formed. We were all disciples of senior Jeon Yu-seong, and we wanted a friend to be there too, so we sent a love call to senior Lee Hong-ryeol. During his lifetime, teacher Jeon Yu-seong liked it when we made him laugh. Since this is the first BICF without teacher Jeon Yu-seong, we gathered opinions to stage a tribute show."
The sizzling stand-up comedy show 'Seoul Comedy All Stars,' featuring Song Ha-bin, Kim Dong-ha, Komiko, Danny Cho, Won So-yoon, Park Jin-joo, Kim Jong-chan, Shin Seung-soo, and others, and 'B-grade hearing' by Choi Seong-min, Nam Ho-yeon, and Kim Seung-jin, who have 500,000 YouTube subscribers, guarantee big summer-night fun. 'Kkont assemblé,' featuring Snack Town (Lee Jae-yul, Kang Hyun-seok), Youth Desk (Gu Jeong-mo, Yoo Young-woo), Ttuksa University W (ODDID, Woo Da-on), Bread One (Jeon Ye-won, Yang Hye-won), Kkiri Kkiri (Joo Won-bin, Park Sang-a), is also ready to captivate audiences. Gwak Beom, Bottah (Kim Won-sik, Jo Da-hyun), Youth Desk (Gu Jeong-mo, Yoo Young-woo), Hee-geukinZ (Shin Yun-seung, Park Min-seong), Ttuksa University W (ODDID, Woo Da-on) will showcase dazzling wit through the 'Mandam assemblé' performance, and the 'Woo Seok-hoon comedy short selection,' which provokes uproarious laughter without a single word, and performances by Ongals' Jo Su-won, Chae Kyung-sun, Ha Bak, and Lee Kyung-seop are also prepared.
The 'B-grade hearing' team explained, "We have mainly broadcast with guests, but it's been a while since we've been on stage. We plan to stage a show with top-tier guests and invite the audience to a hearing as the concept." The 'Seoul Comedy All Stars' team said, "Stand-up comedy shows have become common now, but in videos we only reveal our impromptu conversations with the audience; on site we perform cutting-edge gags, making it more than 150% fun. We hope many will come to the venue."
Ongals said, "Next year will mark 20 years since we started performing. The show we will present in Busan will depart from our existing performance format and feel more like a piece of work. Regardless of age or gender, we hope everyone comes and sees not just a performance but that 'these friends have lived hard for 20 years.'" they said, adding, "By participating in BICF every year we have received many benefits. With our 20th anniversary approaching, we want to show a new side, so we are preparing new ideas to show you."
Also prepared to meet audiences are Japan Nonverbal Live G Team, which will deliver laughter that transcends language barriers; French comedian Patrick Cottet Moinet's MIME DE RIEN, which captivated audiences worldwide; and the fantastic comedy magic concert Double.
The closing performance is also spectacular. In the closing performance 'I am a gag singer,' Kim Dae-hee, Cho Hye-lyeon, Lee Seyoung, Young-gi, Lee Ji-yo, Lee Bong-won, members and others will appear and decorate BICF's final page with a stage full of passionate energy.
The 14th Busan International Comedy Festival will be held across Busan for ten days from Aug. 21 to Aug. 30.
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