Park Chan-wook's 'One Imaginary Girl' Opens BIFF Amidst Industry Woes

The 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) kicked off with the domestic premiere of Park Chan-wook's latest film, 'One Imaginary Girl.' Following the screening, cast members candidly discussed the challenging realities facing the Korean film industry.

At a press conference held on October 17th at the Busan Cinema Center, director Park Chan-wook, along with lead actors Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, Park Hee-soon, Lee Sung-min, and Yum Hye-ran, shared insights into the film and their concerns.

'One Imaginary Girl' tells the story of Mansu (Lee Byung-hun), a man whose life takes a dramatic turn after unexpected unemployment. The film, a much-anticipated project from Park Chan-wook, has already garnered international acclaim, receiving an official invitation to the Venice Film Festival, winning the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, and being selected as Korea's submission for the Academy Awards' Best International Feature Film category.

During the press conference, the actors expressed a shared sense of concern about the current state of Korean cinema. Park Hee-soon remarked, "I've made a living from films, but now the industry is in such a state that I worry I might starve if I only act in movies." Lee Byung-hun added, "The challenges facing films and cinemas are immense. We also feel a sense of threat from AI, which could potentially endanger actors and directors."

Son Ye-jin, returning to the big screen after seven years, voiced her anxieties: "I'm uncertain about how much longer or how often I'll be able to make films in the future." Lee Sung-min highlighted the broader implications, stating, "Actors also fear being replaced by AI. This isn't just a concern for filmmakers, but for many professions."

Director Park Chan-wook offered a hopeful perspective: "While it's true the Korean film industry is facing difficulties, I believe this situation won't last forever. I hope our film can play a small role in helping us emerge from this predicament." Yum Hye-ran emphasized the enduring appeal of cinema, saying, "Despite the crisis in the film industry, I want to convey the joy and true essence of filmmaking."

'One Imaginary Girl' is set to be released on October 24th.

Park Chan-wook is renowned for his critically acclaimed works such as 'Joint Security Area,' 'Oldboy,' 'The Handmaiden,' and 'Decision to Leave,' significantly elevating Korean cinema's global standing. His new film, 'One Imaginary Girl,' has already received international recognition at prestigious film festivals, validating its artistic merit. Through this project, Park Chan-wook aims to deliver a message of hope amidst the current realistic challenges faced by the Korean film industry.