"All of Jang Hangjun's Closest Friends Gathered" Laughter Fills the Opening Ceremony as Jecheon Music & Film Festival Transforms

A Festival Filled with Laughter and Friendship
Jang Hangjun Leads a Joyful Opening at Jecheon Airfield
Music, Film, and the City Come Together for a New Beginning

Jang Hangjun, the executive chairman, is greeting on stage at the opening ceremony of the 21st Jecheon International Music & Film Festival held on the special dome stage at Jecheon Airfield in Jecheon City, Chungbuk Province, on the afternoon of the 4th. Photo by Jecheon International Music & Film Festival

"Today, this place feels just like Executive Chairman Jang Hangjun's Cyworld. All of his closest friends have gathered here on the red carpet."

With this witty remark from ambassador Kang Hanul, Jecheon Airfield was filled with laughter and cheers. The opening ceremony of the 21st Jecheon International Music & Film Festival, held at 7 p.m. on the 4th, had a distinctly different atmosphere. The newly appointed Executive Chairman Jang Hangjun captivated the stage with his signature charm, and during the commemorative photo session, he flashed a bright smile while making a large V sign with his fingers.

"I am Jang Hangjun, the new executive chairman and the husband of world-renowned Korean writer Kim Eunhee. I love film, I love music, I love Jecheon!" At Chairman Jang's exclamation, about 2,500 audience members burst into laughter all at once.

Executive Chairman Jang set the direction for the festival as a joyful celebration of film. He stated, "No cultural event has meaning unless it is shared with the public," and added, "This year, I hope the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival becomes not just about music films, but a festival where music performances and the citizens of Jecheon come together." Since its inception in 2005, the festival has been centered around Cheongpung Lakeside, but this year, the stage was moved into the city center to improve accessibility for audiences.

The opening ceremony stage was filled with "Hangjuni's friends." The event was hosted by actor Lee Junhyuk and broadcaster Jang Doyeon, and the red carpet saw appearances from domestic actors such as Ryu Seungryong, Yoo Jitae, Oh Nara, Jeon Mido, Cho Woojin, Jang Youngnam, Jeon Seokho, Lee Shinyoung, Jung Jinwoon, Ha Young, as well as film directors and international film professionals.

Host Jang Doyeon and ambassador Kang Hanul are discussing executive committee chairman Jang Hangjun at the opening ceremony of the 21st Jecheon International Music & Film Festival held on the afternoon of the 4th at the dome special stage of Jecheon Airfield in Jecheon City, Chungbuk. Photo by Jecheon International Music & Film Festival

Jang Hangjun, Executive Chairman, and this year's Jecheon Film Music Award winner Eric Serra are taking a commemorative photo on the stage of the opening ceremony of the 21st Jecheon International Music & Film Festival held on the afternoon of the 4th at Jecheon Airfield in Jecheon City, Chungbuk. Photo by Jecheon International Music & Film Festival

On this day, French film composer Eric Serra received the Jecheon Film Music Award. Known for his work on "The Big Blue" (1993), "L?on: The Professional" (1995), and "The Fifth Element" (1997), he shared, "I remembered playing guitar as a child, hoping my music would reach the other side of the world," and added, "I am delighted to receive this award in Korea and honored to be among such outstanding filmmakers." He then expressed his gratitude in Korean, saying, "Thank you very much," which was met with enthusiastic applause. Serra will hold a special concert at Jecheon Arts Center on the 6th.

Jerome Paillard, former director of the Cannes Film Market and jury president for the international competition section "Music Insight," said, "With a festival that brings together music and film, there was no reason not to come."

This year, 134 films from 36 countries will be screened. The signature performance "One Summer Night," now held at Jecheon Airfield, will take place from September 5 to 6. "JIMFF Special Choice" will be held at Jecheon Arts Center from the 5th to the 8th, and the "Camping & Music Festival" will welcome audiences at Uirimji Solbat Park from the 5th to the 7th. In addition, programs such as "Hidden Track," where musicians take the stage after screenings, "Talk to You," where filmmakers and experts engage in conversation, and "Showcase," dedicated to the creation of music films, have been prepared.

Films will be screened at Jecheon JIMFF Cinema (formerly Megabox), Haso Life Culture Center Sanchaek, Jecheon Cultural Center, and Jecheon Video Media Center Bom. The festival will continue until September 9.