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Enjoy Busan

A season to celebrate

　The season of festivals, fall, has returned. The city is full of fun this time of year, as Busan will host a series of large-scale events throughout the season, including the Busan International Film Festival, the Busan One Asia Festival and the Busan Fireworks Festival.
　B.i.G. presents this handy guide to help you organize your calendar this festive fall season.

2017 Busan One Asia Festival

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BIFF 2022 (Source: Busan Ilbo)

(Left: "Because I Hate Korea" / Middle: "The Movie Emperor" / Right: Chow Yun Fat in "A Better Tomorrow") - source: BIFF

Asia's largest film festival

　The 28th Busan International Film Festival will take place from Oct. 4 to 13 at cinemas citywide.
　This year's festival host is acclaimed actor Song Kang Ho. Song is one of the most prominent figures in world cinema. He starred in the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," and won the Best Actor award at the 75th Cannes Film Festival for his role in the film "Broker."
　Chow Yun Fat, the "Big Brother" of Hong Kong cinema and internationally renowned actor, will be feted as this year's Asian Filmmaker of the Year. He will be honored during the festival's opening ceremony. In addition, a collection of his films will be screened as part of the Special Program Focus.
　Other stars expected at BIFF include French filmmaker Luc Besson, Chinese actor Fan Bingbing, American actor John Cho, and Korean actors Song Joong-ki, Youn Yuh-jung and Han Hyo-joo.
　While festivalgoers are excited to see major movie stars, BIFF's renown is due to the quality of its featured films. One of this year's programs is Korean Diasporic Cinema, which celebrates the success of Korean Americans in Hollywood. The films highlighting the exceptional stories of the Korean diaspora include Lee Chang-dong's "Burning," Lee Isaac Chung's "Minari," and Celine Song's "Past Lives."
　Finally, this year's festival presents the latest films of the world's most influential filmmakers. The highly anticipated selection includes Alexander Payne's "The Holdovers," David Fincher's "The Killer," Yorgos Lanthimos's "Poor Things," and Ken Loach's "The Old Oak."
　Film and event tickets can be purchased on the BIFF homepage, via the BIFF app, or onsite. Films and events will be held at various venues, including the Busan Cinema Center, CGV Centum City, and KNN Theater.
·Website: biff.kr
·Instagram: @busanfilmfest
·Facebook: facebook.com/busanfilmfest/

(Top to Bottom: The Wind/OH MY GIRL/Lee Chae Yeon/NCT127/CLASS:y) 

K-pop takes the stage
　The highly anticipated 2023 Busan One Asia Festival, featuring K-pop's hottest acts, will take place on Oct. 21 and 22. Since the inaugural festival in 2016, BOF has been one of the most sought-after tickets in K-pop fandom.
　Spanning two days at two venues, BOF promises to be an unforgettable experience. The festival starts with the "K-POP Concert" on Oct. 21 at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium in Yeonje-gu district. Industry superstars NCT 127, Oh My Girl, Lee Chae-yeon, Highlight and more are slated to perform.
　On Oct. 22, the "Park Concert" will take place at North Port Pier 1 in Jung-gu district. The concert is free and open for anyone to attend.
　For the full lineup, schedule and ticketing information, visit the BOF official website or official social media accounts.
·Website: bof.or.kr
·Instagram: @bof_official_kr @bof.en @bof.tw @bof.jp
·Facebook: facebook.com/BusanOneAsiaFestival

Busan International Rock Festival 2022.

The "Rock Spirit" continues
　Since 2000, the Busan International Rock Festival has dominated Korea's rock music scene. This year's edition will take place on Oct. 7 and 8 at the scenic Samnak Ecological Park in Sasang-gu district
　French pop-rock band Phoenix headlines the opening day of the festival. Other international acts include Japanese rock band 10-FEET. The rockers are riding a wave of success since releasing the song "Dai Zero Kan," the ending theme of the animated box office hit "The First Slam Dunk."
　Several Korean artists will also entertain audiences, including Lee Seung-yoon, who captured hearts as the winner of the hit JTBC audition show "Sing Again." Joining him will be indie-rock band Se So Neon and alt-rock band Nell.
　The Kid Laroi headlines day two. The Australian singer-songwriter, and protege of music icon Justin Bieber, rose to fame with his hit song "Stay," which reached the number-one spot in multiple countries in 2021. The second day also features Koreans' favorite Brits, as New Hope Club takes the stage. The British pop trio first captured Korean audiences in 2020 with their dance-pop track "Know Me Too Well."
　One-day tickets cost 110,000 won, while the two-day pass is 165,000 won. Tickets can be purchased online at Yes24 Ticket.
　Finally, festivalgoers outside Busan can find affordable transportation options through the Kakao T app. Kakao T operates intercity, roundtrip shuttles directly to the concert venue.
　Visit the festival's official website for more information and the entire lineup.
·Website: busanrockfestival.com/
·Instagram: @busanrockfest
·Tickets: ticket.yes24.com/

Celebrate Busan's unique history
　The Yeongdo Bridge Festival takes place from Oct. 13 to 15 in Yeongdo-gu district. The main venue of the festival is the Yeongdodaegyo Bridge, which opened to the public in 1934 and has witnessed Busan's modern history. The bridge, a place where refugees congregated in the midst of the Korean War to find some hope, has become a city landmark.
　Special performances and events will also take place at Amir Park. These include a concert by Korean singer Hong Kyung-min and trot singer Song Ga-in and a fireworks display.
·Website: yeongdo.go.kr/ydfestival.web
·Instagram: @ydfestival

Step back in time to the Joseon Dynasty
　The Dongnaeeupseong History Festival takes place on Oct. 13 to 15 at the North Gate of Dongnaeeupseong Walled Town.
　The festival takes people back to the Joseon Dynasty to experience life in those times. Visitors can wear "hopae," historic identification tags, and carry "yeopjeon," brass coins, while walking through period-specific markets and streets. A variety of traditional events, such as wedding ceremonies, jail experiences and kite-making, will be presented at the market in Eupseong Square.
　The festival also presents the historical musical "The Lonely Fortress." The show vividly depicts the history of Dongnae's people risking their lives and fiercely fighting against invaders during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592.
　Other historic experiences include the Dongnae Governor's March and Gilnori, a Korean-style parade.
·Website: dongnae.go.kr/index.dongnae

The history and culture of a 1,000 year trade route

　The Nakdonggang Gupo Naru Festival is set to take place from Oct. 13 to 15 at Hwamyeong Eco Park in Buk-gu district.
　Gupo Quay, situated at the origin of the Nakdonggang River passageway, played a pivotal role in facilitating commerce during the Joseon Dynasty. The festival aims to rekindle the nostalgia of Gupo Quay's prosperous past through various performances and exhibition programs that recount the real stories of the people who once lived along the Nakdonggang River.
　Festivalgoers will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the ambiance of Gupo Quay and the market as it existed during the Joseon Dynasty at the Gupo Naru Folk Village zone. Additionally, a Night Market will be open for visitors to enjoy shopping and dining. For those seeking adventure, there will be leisure activities available at the Nakdongang River.