On August 23, the second day of the 2025 International Streaming Festival, which opened on the 22nd, the event heated up even more with enthusiastic participation from the audience.
The 2025 International Streaming Festival, co-hosted by the Korea International Streaming Festival (co-executive directors Kim Bokgeun and Kim Sungcheol) and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency, is the only international streaming event in Korea.
Having moved beyond being a side event of the Busan International Film Festival, it has grown in scale as an independent festival. It runs until August 25 at the Busan Cinema Center and the Paradise Hotel.
"Unknown Seoul," starring Park Boyoung, which has attracted attention both domestically and internationally, was screened at the Medium Theater and the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center, meeting with audiences.
Audiences from across the country, including regions outside Busan such as Gangneung and Daegu, attended and welcomed the unique opportunity to watch series in a theater setting.
In particular, "Unknown Seoul" became the first work to be nominated at the 2025 International Streaming Festival Global OTT Awards among all domestic award ceremonies, earning nominations in five categories including Best Creative, Best Writer, and Best Leading Actress.
Also, "Northbound," which was nominated for Best Creative, Best Director, and Best Leading Actress, was introduced through a series screening. This work, which delicately portrays the changing history of the Grand Canal and the lives of its people over 20 years, offered a rare and unique viewing experience.
"Nan Hong," a nominee for Best OTT Original and the biggest hit in the Chinese-speaking world in the first half of the year, also saw its series screening sell out completely, reflecting its popularity in Korea. The film's lead, Baek Kyungjung, was also nominated for Best Leading Actor.
After the screenings, director Koo Unyoung, who attended the audience Q&A session moderated by director Lee Jongyong-a professional committee member of the Korea International Streaming Festival and a preliminary judge for this year's awards-expressed deep gratitude for the explosive interest from Korean audiences.
Director Koo Unyoung shared, "I truly love my work, and I believe that the characters I created are alive somewhere in this world. Seeing so many audience members holding up slogans supporting my work and nodding along as I spoke has been a tremendous encouragement for me. Tonight has become a truly warm and memorable night."
On August 24, series screenings and Q&A sessions for "Nan Hong," "I Liked All the Girls in My Class," and "4°C" are scheduled, and even more audience participation is expected.
The 2025 International Streaming Festival has especially become a catalyst for envisioning the future of the OTT industry by integrating artificial intelligence technology with content.
At the International Streaming Summit on the 22nd, global market research and analysis firms Omdia and Statista presented on "Global Streaming Industry Trends and Outlook" and "AI-Driven Content Personalization and Global Expansion Strategies," respectively.
At the Paradise Hotel, an investment showcase was held, drawing attention as AI-based OTT and media technology companies publicly introduced their businesses.
On August 24, outstanding content proposals from domestic broadcasters and production companies will be presented.
There were also events connecting audiences with technology. KAIST Auto-ID Lab Busan Innovation Research Center and DataSpira showcased innovative technologies for the industry ecosystem, applying the GS1 international standard to the media industry to foster coexistence between the K-content industry and traditional sectors, based on international standards and AI.
This technology allows products, locations, and people to be registered to content using next-generation GS1 standard barcodes, just as products are registered in online and offline stores, so that users worldwide can instantly access related services. It is expected to open a new paradigm in the OTT industry market. At the BIFF Hall of the Busan Cinema Center, they are demonstrating technology that automatically recognizes products and locations in real-time streaming OTT and advertising videos to provide related services, as well as operating an audience experience zone.
Continuing from the first day, TVING operated interactive outdoor booths and photo zones at the Durelaum Square of the Busan Cinema Center, where audiences could participate in events themed around the original series "Great Escape: The Story" and "The Seventh Member," experience being part of the series, and enter to win special prizes, receiving an enthusiastic response.
On August 24, the 2025 International Streaming Festival Global OTT Awards, the festival's main highlight, will be held at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center.
With over 140 works from around the world submitted across 19 categories, Korean actors such as Park Eunbin of "Hyper Knife," Oh Jungse of "Good Boy," Yum Hyeran and Choi Daehun of "Boksok Sogassuda," Kang Yuseok of "Boksok Sogassuda" and "Someday Wise Resident Life," Lee Suhyun of "Family Planning," and Jung Soobin of "Competition of Goodwill" will be in attendance.
International stars including Sakaguchi Kentaro of "What Comes After Love," Berik Aichanov of "4°C," Baek Kyungjung of "Nan Hong," Natarat Noparatayapon of "Mad Unicorn," Wang Chenyuan of "Bleach," Bando Ryota of "Lion's Den," Saphengwon of "Borrowed Life," and Zhong Xinling and Suri Lin of "The Spotlight Is Mine" will also gather for the event.
The grand finale of the festival will be the "OST Concert: OTT, Streaming, contacT," held at 7 p.m. on August 25 at the outdoor theater of the Busan Cinema Center. This epic performance, structured around three themes connecting the past, present, and future, will unfold over approximately two hours.
The 2025 International Streaming Festival continues its journey toward "Endless Imagination, the Infinite World of Streaming-KOREA is STREAMING" by providing opportunities to experience both globally acclaimed works and lesser-known titles all in one place.
For more details, please refer to the official website and SNS channels.
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