'Pachinko' Min-ha Kim lands a surprise one-off spot as the sole presenter at Busan International Film Festival opening ceremony!

Min-ha Kim, the sole MC for the 31st Busan International Film Festival opening ceremony… 'Pachinko' returns

Oct. 6 opening ceremony held solo at Busan Cinema Center, with the overwhelming presence of a global star

A global icon touches down in Busan, kicking off the festivities

Actor 'Min-ha Kim', who captivated critics and viewers worldwide through Apple TV+ original series 'Pachinko', will step forward as the face of Asia’s largest film festival. The secretariat of the 31st 'Busan International Film Festival' (BIFF) announced in an official statement on the 31st that it has selected 'Min-ha Kim' as the sole emcee for the opening ceremony to be held Oct. 6 at Busan Cinema Center.

It is an unusual move for the opening-ceremony stage, which has typically featured a co-host system for both men and women, to be led by a single host. Since debuting in 2016, he has played the role of young Sunja in 'Pachinko' (2022·2024), bringing the kind of resilient life force that cuts through the twists and turns of the times in a three-dimensional way. In 2022, he also won the Best Newcomer award in the TV category at the Asian American Awards, placing him at the center of the global stage.

'Min-ha Kim'’s relentless momentum isn’t confined to the screen or the living room TV. Leading with 'The Light Shop' (2024), which is set to be released this year, and followed by 'One Week Before I Die' (2025), 'Typhoon & Company' (2025), and 'Han a Korea' (2026), which was recently released, he has continued to present major upcoming works, fully proving an acting range without limits.

'Busan International Film Festival' officials said, "With his consistently sincere performances overwhelming audiences in every work, 'Min-ha Kim'’s distinctive, weighty yet confident energy will raise the festival’s stature even further," expressing firm confidence.

Meanwhile, the 31st 'Busan International Film Festival', drawing attention from film figures around the world, will open its grand festivities at and around Busan Cinema Center for 10 days, from Oct. 6 to Oct. 15.