‘Good News’ Captivates the Busan International Film Festival! Showcased with a Gala Presentation.

The Netflix film 〈Good News〉, officially invited to the ‘Gala Presentation’ section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival, successfully concluded its official schedule including the opening ceremony, stage greetings, GV, gala presentation press conference, and open talk. 〈Good News〉 is a film that depicts the suspicious operations of people gathered to land a hijacked plane by any means necessary in the 1970s.

Director Byun Sung-hyun, Hong Kyung, and Takayuki Yamada, who visited the Busan International Film Festival, attended the opening ceremony held at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center on September 17 (Wednesday), responding to the enthusiastic cheers and marking the start of the official schedule. On the 18th (Thursday), Director Byun Sung-hyun, Seol Kyung-gu, Hong Kyung, and Takayuki Yamada had a meaningful time sharing various stories with fans who came to the theater through stage greetings and GV before the screening of 〈Good News〉. First, Director Byun Sung-hyun conveyed his directorial intent, saying, “Although the background of the work is set in 1970, I wanted to tell stories that are still relevant today. I wanted to focus on the reactions to the incident rather than the incident itself,” amplifying curiosity about what kind of witty work he has created with his unique sensibility.

Seol Kyung-gu, who plays the mysterious fixer, said, “The character sometimes blends with other characters, sometimes speaks to the camera lens like an observer, and at times feels like an invisible man,” sharing the process of portraying a character with unique charm. Hong Kyung, who plays elite Air Force Lieutenant Seo Go-myung, expressed, “I was drawn to Seo Go-myung's ambition and greed. I was fascinated by how he falls and rises again, seeing the world through the fixer,” raising expectations for his delicate performance that captures the complex inner world of Seo Go-myung, who is constantly struggling in critical moments. Takayuki Yamada, who was dispatched to Korea as Deputy Minister of Transport Shin Ichi, expressed his joy, saying, “I am very happy to participate in a Korean project and to be able to screen it in Korea. I hope there will be many more opportunities like this in the future,” sharing his special feelings about meeting Korean film fans.

During the gala presentation press conference held on the 19th (Friday), in-depth questions from the press about 〈Good News〉 followed, demonstrating the intense interest in the work. In the open talk and GV that followed on the same day, Sho Kasamatsu, who played the leader of a Japanese communist group, joined in to share even richer stories about the work, providing a delightful time for those present. Director Byun Sung-hyun, who revealed about the film's beginning, “The background of 〈Good News〉 is a story from 40 years ago, but I thought it could still be relevant today,” stated, “It’s a film where many people come together like an orchestra in harmony. I focused on the ensemble of the actors,” raising expectations for a vibrant acting ensemble that breathes life.

Seol Kyung-gu said, “The fixer is someone who is everywhere and nowhere at the same time. I think there was an intention from the director to keep a distance from the story. It was a role I had never done before, and I had a new experience,” sparking curiosity about what new face he will show. Director Byun Sung-hyun expressed, “I thought a lot about how to express actor Seol Kyung-gu differently,” raising expectations for the fresh charm of the character he completed in his fourth collaboration with Seol Kyung-gu.

Hong Kyung remarked, “It was the best set. When working with the director, we had close discussions and worked in a hilariously fun way,” revealing his special affection for the work. Additionally, Director Byun Sung-hyun stated, “I listened a lot to actor Hong Kyung's thoughts, and as I incorporated that into the script, Seo Go-myung became a more three-dimensional character. I think it can be seen as a character we created together.” Seol Kyung-gu praised Hong Kyung, saying, “Hong Kyung is an incredibly hardworking actor. I think he is an actor who will lead the next generation of Korean cinema,” warming the atmosphere on set with generous compliments.

Takayuki Yamada mentioned, “Twenty years ago, the drama 〈Winter Sonata〉 was a huge hit in Japan. Since then, I have been paying attention to Korea and have been thinking about wanting to work together,” referring to the meaningful collaboration between Korea and Japan. Sho Kasamatsu stated, “Director Byun Sung-hyun values not only acting but also every detail of the picture and frame. I learned a lot while working together, and it was a treasure-like time in my life,” sharing his special thoughts on the collaboration.

Moreover, people dressed in military uniforms reminiscent of Seo Go-myung from 〈Good News〉 held special flyers depicting a 1970s newspaper with the copy “Breaking News! Hijacked Plane Heading to Pyongyang,” sitting in a line and performing a unique performance, capturing attention as they distributed the special flyers like extras. Fans who attended the open talk and GV later raised the special flyers high, welcoming the main characters of 〈Good News〉 and adding to the excitement of the event. Thus, from the red carpet of the opening ceremony to the GV, press conference, and open talk, 〈Good News〉 successfully heated up the 30th Busan International Film Festival, expected to captivate the world with its well-made film armed with freshness. The film 〈Good News〉 will be released on Netflix on October 17.