2025 National Sports Festival Opening and Closing Ceremonies, Directed by General Director Park Kal-lin with an Emotional Stage Prepared

At 3:50 PM on the 18th, City Hall, Mayor Park Hyung-jun receives appointment letter... Overall planning and directing of opening and closing ceremonies

Mayor Park, "Containing Busan's originality and charm, expecting it to be an unforgettable moment for everyone"

Busan City will appoint performance director Park Kal-lin as the general director responsible for planning and directing the opening and closing ceremonies of the ‘106th National Sports Festival and the 45th National Para Sports Festival’ to be held in Busan next October.

General Director Park Kal-lin.

On the 18th at 3:50 PM, Mayor Park Hyung-joon will personally present the appointment certificate at the protocol office.

With this appointment, General Director Park Kal-lin will oversee the planning and directing of the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as handle detailed operations and external cooperation, aiming to present an impressive stage that embodies Busan’s identity and future vision.

Director Park spent his childhood attending elementary and high school in Busan, and has a special connection to the city, especially through his involvement in the drama club at Gyeongnam Girls' High School, which led to his association with musicals.

He debuted as the music director of the original musical Myeongseong Hwanghu and has demonstrated outstanding directing skills in large-scale musicals such as Aida, Chicago, and Sisters, as well as various performances including the One K Concert and Gangnam Festival, gaining recognition both domestically and internationally as a renowned director.

Notably, in 2014, he served as the general director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Incheon Asian Para Games, receiving high praise for storytelling and stage composition that reflected regional characteristics.

General Director Park said, “The concept for the 2025 Busan National Sports Festival opening ceremony will focus on Busan’s geography, industry, and sports as a global hub, and will be presented alongside the stories of Busan’s people.” He added, “The stage will be planned as a grand show using storytelling, choreography, music, and lighting to maximize the elements of a mega event.”

The city selected performance director Park Kal-lin as the final candidate through a general director recommendation committee composed of experts in related fields, aiming to appoint a capable individual who can direct the opening and closing ceremonies into an emotional and memorable event.

The recommendation committee evaluated that General Director Park’s excellent directing sense recognized both domestically and internationally, his rich experience in large-scale events, and his deep ties to Busan would effectively express the city’s unique characteristics.

Mayor Park Hyung-joon stated, “I expect that the beginning and end of the National Sports Festival will be unforgettable moments filled with Busan’s originality and charm through General Director Park Kal-lin’s professionalism and creative sensibility.” He added, “Through this event, which combines sports, culture, arts, and tourism, we will create a moving legend of unity for Korea in ‘Global Hub City Busan’ and do our best to prepare for a festival where everyone can come together in harmony.”