Busan Film Festival Honors Late Actor Lee Sun-kyun

The 29th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) opened with a poignant tribute to the late actor Lee Sun-kyun, who was posthumously awarded the Korean Film Achievement Award for his significant contributions to cinema. The ceremony featured a memorial video that highlighted Lee's filmography, moving many attendees, including actors Song Joong-ki and Ha Yoon-kyung, to tears. Hosts Park Bo-young and Ahn Jae-hong emphasized Lee's artistic legacy and announced screenings of six of his notable works, including 'Parasite' and 'My Mister'. However, the tribute has sparked controversy online, with some netizens criticizing the film industry for overly romanticizing Lee's image, particularly in light of his recent struggles with drug investigations leading to his tragic death in December 2023. Despite this backlash, the festival aimed to honor Lee's influence and versatility as an actor. His last film, 'Land of Happiness', was also showcased during the festival, continuing his legacy in Korean cinema.