Busan Film Fest Stars Tardy, Lack of Apology Irks Fans

The 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) faced unexpected delays on its third day, with several prominent stars arriving late for scheduled events, leaving attendees disappointed.

Haeundae-gu's Film Hall and surrounding areas were bustling with activities, drawing a star-studded lineup including director-actor Ha Jung-woo, and actors Gong Hyo-jin, Youn Yuh-jung, and Lee Byung-hun.

During an open talk for the film 'Neighbors' (literal title), Ha Jung-woo, Gong Hyo-jin, and Kim Dong-wook appeared about 15 minutes behind schedule. Later, Youn Yuh-jung and director Andrew Ahn were also around 15 minutes late for a stage greeting for their new movie 'Wedding Reception', leaving rookie actor Han Ki-chan to fill the time alone.

Lee Byung-hun also experienced a slight delay of about 5 minutes for his 'Actors' House' talk due to traffic congestion near the venue. Busan is known for its challenging traffic conditions, especially during the festival period.

The main issue, however, was the apparent lack of apologies or acknowledgments from the celebrities for their tardiness. Despite fans securing tickets and waiting, only brief mentions of traffic issues were made by the hosts. This pattern of delayed appearances without a proper apology has generated public backlash.

Ha Jung-woo, known for his directorial efforts like 'Rollercoaster', is directing 'Neighbors' for the fourth time. The film explores an unexpected culinary encounter between two couples due to noise issues. It is slated for a December release, building anticipation among cinephiles.