The 14th Busan International Comedy Festival (BICF) (hereafter "Bucope") successfully concluded its opening performance, raising the curtain on a nine-day laughter festival.
The opening performance of the 14th Bucope, held on the 21st at Busan Exhibition & Convention Center (BEXCO) auditorium, proceeded amid enthusiastic responses from the audience. The opening performance proved high interest in Bucope by selling out all roughly 1,800 seats on the first floor, marking a pleasant start to the festival.
Before the opening performance, at 2 p.m. an online live performance by the "Park Sung-ho's SOOP Comedy Assembly" team was held. Comedians Park Sung-ho, Lee Kwang-seop, Park Eun-young, Lee Won-gu, Bok Hyun-gyu, Jo Hyun-min and streamers Kim Sun-ji, Ha Eun-bin, with special guests Park Joonhyung and Kim Jun-Ho, presented a performance depicting the comedians' cheerful stories as they challenge internet broadcasting, bringing laughter.
Before the formal opening declaration, a blue carpet event was held hosted by comedian Yang Sang-guk. Kim Kyung-deok, Busan deputy mayor for administrative affairs, Kim Jun-Ho, executive chairperson, and Kim Dae-hee, director, among other key figures leading Bucope, attended to brighten the occasion. Domestic acts including "Gag Concert", "Galgali Gag Concert: return of the legend", "B-grade hearing", "The Jun Yoo-sung-less Jun Yoo-sung show", and "Park Sung-ho's SOOP Comedy Assembly," as well as overseas acts such as "Double" and "Mime De Rien," also took the blue carpet, adding to the festival's excitement.
Deputy Mayor Kim Kyung-deok and Chairperson Kim Jun-Ho shouted the late Jun Yoo-sung's Bucope slogan "Busan sea! sea of laughter!" to declare the opening. When opening performance main MC Jee Seokjin appeared on stage, the audience erupted in applause and cheers. Jee Seokjin expressed respect toward his juniors Kim Jun-Ho and Kim Dae-hee, who have led Bucope for 14 years, raising the energy of the event.
Introduced by Jee Seokjin, the domestic act "Krokyki Brothers" took the stage with a unique performance combining drawing and humor, eliciting both admiration and laughter from the audience.
Following the performances, a special time was prepared to honor the late Jun Yoo-sung, who devoted his life to the development of comedy. Bucope established the "1st comedian Jun Yoo-sung award," given to figures who have contributed to the development of comedy following the late Jun Yoo-sung. Presenter Lee Hong-ryul called comedian Park Joonhyung as the first recipient.
On stage, Park Joonhyung said, "I think senior Jun Yoo-sung would say, 'Why didn't you make it while I'm still alive?'" and performed an impression of the late Jun Yoo-sung, turning the venue into a sea of laughter. He added, "I'm grateful for the opportunity to laugh with you on the Bucope stage. I will work harder at comedy," sharing his thoughts and adding warmth.
The overseas act "Mime De Rien" drew uproarious laughter from the audience with playful expressions and delicate expressiveness, and the domestic performance "Malja Show" also blanketed the venue in laughter with its unabashed wit.
At the celebratory performance, popular band QWER performed hits such as "CEREMONY," "My name is Clear," and "Addiction to worry," elevating the festival atmosphere to its peak.
Next, the beloved segment "Angry people" and the "All song contest" team from the long-running comedy program "Gag Concert" took the stage to deliver more laughs to the audience. At the end, all performers gathered for a commemorative photo, announcing the start of Bucope's 14th voyage.
[Photo] Provided by the Busan International Comedy Festival organizing committee
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