Ahn Sung-ki films including 'Whale Hunting' to screen in Busan; why five master directors are reuniting

The brilliant career of a beloved national actor returns to the screen

This year's 'Busan International Film Festival' (BIFF) is preparing a special showcase spotlighting the career of 'Ahn Sung-ki', a living legend of Korean cinema. The event will reaffirm the actor's noble passion for film and enduring value, undiminished even as he battles blood cancer, while dispelling unfounded reports of his death.

The Busan International Film Festival's organizing committee officially announced that it will present a special program, 'Beautiful Days, Ahn Sung-ki', jointly with the 'Korean Film Archive' at the festival, which opens Oct. 6.

The six-film lineup consists of masterpieces personally selected by 'Ahn Sung-ki', who chose each one with special affection. These landmark films, which helped drive the renaissance of Korean cinema from the 1980s through the 1990s, will meet audiences on the big screen once again.

• Director Lee Jang-ho's 'A Good Windy Day' (1980)

• Director Bae Chang-ho's 'Whale Hunting' (1984)

• Director Park Kwang-soo's 'Chilsu and Mansu' (1988)

• Director Lee Myung-se's 'The Gagman' (1989)

• Director Chung Ji-young's 'White Badge' (1992)

• Director Im Kwon-taek's 'Festival' (1996)

Beyond the screenings, the festival will also host a 'conversation with the audience' (GV) featuring the filmmakers themselves. Five directors who shared the highs and lows of the journey — Lee Jang-ho, Bae Chang-ho, Park Kwang-soo, Lee Myung-se and Chung Ji-young — will gather to share behind-the-scenes stories and discuss their special ties to 'Ahn Sung-ki.'

The festival will also publish a commemorative book titled 'Between Adventure and Example: Ahn Sung-ki, an Actor of His Time.' The volume is expected to become a valuable historical record of his more than 60-year acting career as an icon who defined an era while continually taking on new characters.