Busan is good

Busan City’s Communication Mascot “Boogi” Makes Directorial Debut!

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Busan Metropolitan City announced that Boogi, the city’s official communication mascot, will make his debut as a film director.

This project is part of Boogi Film, a new content series on the BoogiTube YouTube channel, and is designed to promote Busan as a UNESCO City of Film.

The short film, titled “The Day I Woke Up as a Seagull”, is a comedy that follows Min-su, an ordinary job seeker who wakes up one day transformed into Boogi, a beloved character, and explores the emotions he experiences in this surreal situation.

Boogi himself takes on multiple roles in the film’s production—including directing, screenwriting, producing, and funding—drawing significant attention. A team of professionals based in Busan is supporting Boogi's first venture into filmmaking.

The project is produced and adapted by PD Lee Jun-hee, who directed My Idol Na—screened at the 14th Seoul International Pride Film Festival. The assistant director is Lee Mi-hye, known for her work on Offside!, which was featured at the 41st Busan International Short Film Festival.

Cinematography is handled by Jung In-hyuk, who worked on the MBC–Aichi TV co-production What Are We Eating Today?. Sound recording is led by Lee Shin-hee, who worked on What the Clouds Say, a film featured at both the Jeonju and Busan Independent Film Festivals.

A notable aspect of this project is Boogi’s heartfelt efforts to secure production funding. Through previously filmed content titled Boogi’s Field Experience, Boogi personally visits companies such as Daesun Distilling, Changshin INC, and Kidzania to seek sponsorships—scenes that will also be shared as YouTube content.

Additionally, a crowdfunding campaign is currently underway on Tumblbug (tumblbug.com/boogi_in_busan), with minimum donations starting from 1,000 KRW. Supporters will have their names featured in the end credits and receive exclusive Boogi merchandise, such as mugs, magnets, and mouse pads.

Once production is completed, the film will be submitted to various domestic film festivals, including those in Busan. A year-end screening and Q&A session (GV) will be held to engage with local citizens.

Meanwhile, BoogiTube will continue to introduce new content throughout the year, including:

• ●“Back to School with Boogi”, in which Boogi, who missed out on university life, becomes a guest student at local universities to connect with young people and promote youth policies and talents in Busan. The first semester includes visits to Kyungsung University (Theater and Film Dept.), Korea Maritime & Ocean University, Dongseo University (Im Kwon-taek Film Dept.), and Pusan National University (Aerospace Engineering Dept.).

• ●“B-Stage”, a street performance series capturing passionate local performers with scenic Busan as a backdrop. The first shoot took place on March 23 at Gwangalli Beach, featuring performers from Busan and Gyeongnam, as well as visitors from Seoul, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of around 200 spectators.

Busan City spokesperson Park Gwang-myung stated,

"We aim to promote the city’s image and initiatives in a fun and engaging way through Boogi, our representative mascot. We hope both citizens and Boogi fans will show great interest and support.”

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📌 Photos for Reference

• ●Still cuts from Boogi Film: Featuring Lee Shin-hee (sound), Lee Mi-hye (assistant director), Boogi, PD Lee Jun-hee, and Jung In-hyuk (cinematographer)

• ●Still cuts from Back to School with Boogi: Boogi attending a class on “Theater Education Theory” with students from Kyungsung University’s Theater and Film Department

• ●Group photo from B-Stage recording