One of Asia's Largest Int'l Film Festival Kicks Off in Busan

One of Asia's largest film events… the Pusan International Film Festival kicked off at the Suyoungman Yacht Marina in Korea's southeastern port city of Busan on Thursday.
With more than a hundred star-studded celebrities and filmmakers in attendance… the night was filled with glitz and glam, excited fans, fireworks and all that is great about the entertainment industry.

[Interview : Huh Nam-sik, Mayor of Busan] "This year we will be featuring a record number of films making it the biggest of its kind. It is thanks to all of your love and support that PIFF has become Asia's biggest film event".

The 14th PIFF officially lifted its curtains with the screening of a Korean comedy called "Good Morning President"… which starred top Korean actor Jang Dong-gun… and marked the Hallyu star's comeback to the big screen after four years.
But what's special about this year's event is that… it will feature a record 355 movies from 70 countries with 144 films to be premiered during the nine-day fest making it the largest PIFF to date.
International VIP guests there to light up the event included Bryan Singer… producer of the "X-Men" series, Italian horror maestro Dario Argento and well-known Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett.
As for Korean stars… Lee Byeong-Heon, Seol Kyeong-gu, So Ji-sub and Ha Ji-won among others were all also present at the opening ceremony of the film extravaganza.

[Interview : Wang Ying, Student from China] "This is my first time coming to Busan. I am very excited and I can't wait to see Jang Dong-gun. He is my favorite star. He is very famous and he has many fans in China".

Also during the festival… three representative works of South Korean actress Jang Jin-yeong, who died early September at the age of 35 from stomach cancer… will be screened in honor of the late actress and her fans.
Named after the city during its establishment in 1996… PIFF has since grown into one of Asia's most influential film fests focusing on discovering new films and up-and-coming directors from all across the world.

"As for the closing ceremony on the 16th… organizers say… "The Message" a work that's being regarded as one of the most impressive Chinese films of the year will end the festival.