Kim Jong-kwan's coffeehouse anthology launches BIFF's 31st edition, with team behind 'The Assassin(s)' absent
BUSAN — The Busan International Film Festival opened its 31st edition Tuesday with a small-scale anthology film. Hours earlier, organizers had sidestepped questions about a political thriller whose entire team pulled out of the event amid fierce backlash.
At a press conference for the opening film, "The Table: Day and Night," a reporter asked director Kim Jong-kwan to weigh in on the controversy, raising concerns over apparent political pressure. Programmer Jung Ji-hye, who oversees the festival's Korean film selections and moderated the session, stepped in to answer.
"The question was for the director, but I've taken the mic," Jung said. "This is the press conference for the opening film, so we'd like to keep the focus on it. We ask for your understanding."
"We've already put out a statement on 'The Assassin(s).' That is the festival's position."
The journalism procedural was set to make an appearance at BIFF, with a free public screening on the eve of the festival and its team strutting down the opening-night red carpet. That was before it turned into a hot-button issue, days after its Sept. 23 release.
Directed by Hur Jin-ho, "The Assassin(s)" revisits the 1974 shooting that targeted President Park Chung-hee but instead killed first lady Yuk Young-soo. It flirts with a long-standing conspiracy theory that the military strongman's own men may have been involved.
The backlash began on right-leaning online forums before the conservative main opposition party took up the cause, condemning the film as a propaganda piece attempting to rewrite history. On Sunday, about 50 protesters rallied outside what was reported to be lead actor Yoo Hae-jin's home in Seoul.
The fallout soon spilled over into the festival. A Q&A session with star Lee Min-ho was scrapped. A day later, the film's production company announced that the director and stars would be skipping the festival altogether, citing safety concerns.
The festival's choice for opening night, meanwhile, was worlds away in mood.
"The Table: Day and Night" is an 80-minute anthology that unfolds over four conversations at a cafe as summer gives way to fall. Kim Min-ha ("Pachinko"), Han Sun-hwa ("Work Later, Drink Now") and Shim Eun-kyung ("Sunny," "Miss Granny") lead an eight-member ensemble.
The pick also marked a notable departure in scale from recent openers. The festival's previous two openers were Netflix's period epic "Uprising" in 2024 and Park Chan-wook's "No Other Choice" in 2025, each budgeted at more than 20 billion won ($14 million); this one was a modest indie production.
"It may be small in scale, but not in value," Jung said. "We look for an opening film that a broad audience can sit back and enjoy at the outdoor theater. This one fits the bill. We didn't hesitate for a second, and we're very proud of it."
Director Kim Jong-kwan, known for "Worst Woman" and "Josee," described the film as a dialogue-driven chamber piece.
"Most films build up events over days, months even years. Ours has just four conversations," he said. "It's about the small, trivial things and the beauty in them. I wanted audiences to take a slice of a conversation, look closer and imagine where these people came from and where they're headed."
Kim Min-ha, who also hosted the opening ceremony later that night, said the movie showed her how small everyday moments can carry a story. "Watching it, I wondered whether many of us, myself included, have been too quick to treat only big events as stories," the actor said. "It got me thinking about the small moments of happiness."
The opening ceremony later in the day began by recognizing two veterans in the industry. Hong Kong New Wave director Ann Hui received the Camellia Award, which honors work that advances women's roles in cinema. BIFF founding director Kim Dong-ho received the Korean Cinema Award for his contributions to bringing Korean film to global audiences.
Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, back in Busan for the first time in 15 years, was named Asian filmmaker of the year. The Malaysian star, who became the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for best actress for "Everything Everywhere All at Once," is also the subject of a special program at this year's festival that includes three films she picked herself.
"No one does this alone," Yeoh said. "A film begins with an idea, but it only becomes real when someone sits in the dark and gives it their time, their imagination and a little piece of their heart. You complete the film."
The 10-day festival wraps up Oct. 15, with 246 official selections from 59 countries on the slate.
moonkihoon@heraldcorp.com
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