Busan International Comedy Festival Ignites Laughter with Diverse Performances

The 13th Busan International Comedy Festival (BICF), affectionately known as 'Bukopé,' is currently setting Busan ablaze with a wide array of performances that transcend genre boundaries.

On September 6th, BICF treated audiences to a day filled with laughter, featuring theatrical shows like 'Comedy Book Concert,' 'Showgman,' and 'Seoul Comedy Stars 2nd.' Additionally, the 'Comedy Street' event showcased artists performing lively acts in public spaces.

The 'Comedy Book Concert,' curated by veteran comedian and BICF honorary chairman Jeon Yu-seong, featured Lee Hong-ryul and Jeong Sun-hee. Both shared humorous anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories related to their published works, engaging warmly with the audience. Lee Hong-ryul even gifted his autobiography, 'Life is Something,' and performed a magic show, creating a memorable experience. Jeong Sun-hee, who translated the Japanese author Kobayashi Hiroyuki's book 'A Three-Line Method for Organizing Your Mind,' offered practical advice on stress management, drawing from her own life experiences to deliver a valuable message.

Meanwhile, 'Showgman,' boasting a collective comedy experience of 100 years, saw Park Seong-ho, Kim Jae-wook, Jeong Beom-gyun, and Lee Jong-hoon take the stage. Their live variety comedy show offered a dynamic and engaging performance suitable for all ages, utilizing regional dialects and props to elicit roaring laughter. Two of their shows were completely sold out, highlighting their immense popularity and ability to connect with the audience on an emotional level.

Following the success of its first installment, 'Seoul Comedy Stars 2nd' featured a lineup of talented comedians including Kim Dong-ha, Danny Cho, Lee Jae-gyu, Park Cheol-hyeon, and Yeo Jun-young. This stand-up comedy show, held at the Busan Bank Main Branch, proved why it's a leading 19+ rated stand-up event, with the comedians commanding the stage with just a microphone and sharp wit, delivering bold honesty and sophisticated humor.

The festival's highlight, 'Comedy Street,' has been captivating crowds in the GuNam-ro area of Haeundae since September 4th, under the direction of BICF chief programmer Jo Yoon-ho. Fifteen teams, including domestic acts like 'Magic Jo,' 'The Happening Show,' and 'Breakers,' along with international performers such as 'Pedro Tochas' and 'Duo Full House,' have taken part. This year's festival notably included a 'Fringe' program for open participation, adding a unique dimension.

Performers like Pedro Tochas, with his juggling act, created a collaborative stage with the audience, instantly grabbing attention. 'Breakers' delivered an explosive and captivating breaking circus performance. A variety of other street acts, including mime, puppet shows, music, and magic, all centered around comedy, provided unforgettable moments and infused the festival with vibrant energy. Performers communicated actively with audiences regardless of nationality, while the BICF organizing committee enhanced the festival experience by distributing water to combat the heat and ensuring safety with the cooperation of the Haeundae Police Station.

Additionally, 'Comedy Open Concerts' were held on September 2nd and 3rd. The festival's growth is evident in its diverse programs spread across Busan.

The closing day, September 7th, will feature 'Heegeuk Sanghoe,' bringing together popular YouTube comedy creators and comedians, and 'I am a Singer-Comedian' (Naneun Gae-suda), a hybrid stage blending song and comedy by Korea's representative comedians.

'Comedy Street' will continue throughout the final days, offering a complete package of entertainment to all attendees.

Lee Hong-ryul is a pioneering comedian from the first generation of Korean comedy, widely beloved for his extensive career in broadcasting and stage performances. His candid and humorous wit has brought laughter and touching moments to many, particularly sharing his life philosophy through his book, 'Life is Something.' In this comedy book concert, he conveyed a warm message to the audience based on his life experiences and wisdom.