Large-scale Media Event at the 29th Busan Film Festival
2025 Content Lineup Unveiled
The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) prominently featured the online video service (OTT) Netflix. The film "J?n,ran," produced by director Park Chan-wook, was invited as the opening film, and various events were held throughout the festival. Several large billboards promoting Netflix's "Hellbound 2" and "J?n,ran" were displayed around the Haeundae area in Busan. Netflix's presence was so significant that it was impossible to discuss this year's festival without mentioning it.
On the 4th, Netflix held a large-scale event at a hotel in Haeundae-gu, Busan, unveiling its 2025 lineup. This was the first time Netflix hosted a major nighttime event targeting the media at the Busan Film Festival. Kim Tae-won, director of Netflix's content team, said at the event, "We are pleased that 'J?n,ran' was selected as the opening film," adding, "The essential purpose of creating content is entertainment, and theatrical release is secondary." He continued, "The main goal is to delight subscribers (viewers) with great content and to let them enjoy it first on our service, but the experience of meeting the audience through 'J?n,ran' was a powerful learning opportunity."
The most anticipated work is the disaster film "The Great Flood." Directed by Kim Byung-woo, who helmed "The Terror Live" (2013) and "PMC: The Bunker" (2018), it is an SF disaster blockbuster depicting a desperate battle in a flooding apartment on the last day of Earth, where humanity's last hope to survive is at stake. Director Kim said, "It's a disaster, but it doesn't end just as a disaster," adding, "We are in post-production, and it's thrilling." Kim, Netflix's content team director, said, "We decided to produce it because we were confident that the theme of 'disaster' would resonate with global audiences beyond Korea."
Director Kim, working with an OTT company for the first time, said, "What concerned me most was that viewers hold the remote control, unlike in theaters. I wondered whether we could do it like traditional films or if we needed to consider something different, which was interesting." He added, "Films have evolved alongside technological advances. The public has already made decisions, so it's important to adapt films accordingly. Is it meaningful now to say 'theatrical films are like this, Netflix is like that'?"
Director Yeon Sang-ho, who created films like "Train to Busan" (2016), "Peninsula" (2020), and Netflix's "Hellbound" 1 and 2 (2021?2024), is making "Revelation" with Netflix. The story follows a pastor who believes punishing the culprit of a missing person case is divine revelation and a detective haunted by the ghost of his deceased younger brother, each pursuing their own beliefs. Yeon said, "I've worked a lot with Netflix, but this time I changed the keyword," adding, "I wanted to shoot differently from my usual methods." He said, "I've done many works with heavy special effects (CG), but 'Revelation' will use almost no CG," and "Makeup for actors will be minimal." He continued, "If a film made by Netflix is created in a very cinematic way, I wonder how viewers will watch it on smartphones."
Netflix is producing "Praying Mantis," a spin-off of the film "Gilboksoon." The film features the praying mantis mentioned in actor Seol Kyung-gu's line "The praying mantis went on vacation" from "Gilboksoon." Actor Im Si-wan plays Han-ul, an A-class killer nicknamed Praying Mantis. Director Byun Sung-hyun, who directed "Gilboksoon," is involved as creator and screenwriter.
Director Byun Sung-hyun is also making the film "Good News" with Netflix. Actor Seol Kyung-gu is collaborating with director Byun for the fourth time, following "The Merciless" (2017), "Kingmaker" (2022), and "Gilboksoon" (2023). At the event, director Byun said, "When we did 'The Merciless,' I thought I would straighten out the crumpled Seol Kyung-gu, but these days he is too stiff. I want to crumple him severely again, so I intend to do it properly." He added with a laugh, "While giving the script for 'Good News,' I talked about a beautiful farewell."
Additionally, Netflix will release next year Kim Tae-jun's "84 Square Meters," Namgung Seon’s "History of Confession," and Han Ji-won's "Needed on This Star."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
