The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has picked its opening movie. Organizers announced on August 19 that “The Table: Day and Night” , a new Korean romantic drama, will kick off this year’s festival. The film, directed by Kim Jong-kwan, will have its world premiere at the Busan Cinema Center on October 6.
This marks a significant moment for the festival, which runs from October 6 to 15 in the southeastern port city of Busan. The selection brings together a talented ensemble cast including Kim Min Ha (Pachinko), Joo Jong Hyuk, Han Sun Hwa, Lee Hee Jun, Shim Eun Kyung, and Kim Dong Hwi.
What ‘The Table: Day and Night’ Is About
Set during the shift from summer to fall, the film captures conversations between four pairs of men and women who cross paths at the same café. The movie tells four different stories that all take place in one location, moving between day and night.
Here is a breakdown of the four couples:
- Yoo Jin (Kim Min Ha) and Hyeon Oh (Joo Jong Hyuk) – Their chance encounter happens when they visit the café at different times of the day.
- Sang Mi (Han Sun Hwa) and Young Min (Chang Ryul) – They reunite unexpectedly after being friends in middle school.
- Hye Jin (Shim Eun Kyung) and Dong Nam (Lee Hee Jun) – A web novel writer meets an indie filmmaker in a lively first meeting.
- Na Kyeong (Jeon So Young) and Jong Su (Kim Dong Hwi) – An aspiring idol shares bittersweet moments with her boyfriend.
The film is mostly conversation-based, focusing on the subtle shifts in relationships and the unique inner voices of each character. BIFF described it as a film that “without relying on excessive setups or dramatic developments, thoughtfully portrays each character’s unique inner voice and emotions”.
Director Kim Jong-Kwan’s Return to BIFF
Kim Jong-Kwan is no stranger to the Busan International Film Festival. His 2016 feature The Table premiered at BIFF and became one of his best-known works. The Table: Day and Night serves as a loose follow-up to that film, which featured four women discussing their romantic entanglements at the same café table.
Kim made his directorial debut with the short film How to Operate a Polaroid Camera in 2004, which won a jury prize at the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival. His other works include Come, Closer (2010), Shades of the Heart (2021), and he also contributed to the Netflix original series Persona (2019) by producing the segment Walking at Night.
BIFF praised the director’s growth, stating that The Table: Day and Night represents “the cinematic interests, style, perspective, and world that Kim Jong-kwan has persistently explored as a filmmaker reach a provisional culmination”.
Star-Studded Cast and Opening Ceremony Details
Kim Min Ha, who gained international recognition for her role in Apple TV+’s Pachinko, will not only star in the film but also host the opening ceremony. This adds an extra layer of excitement for fans of the actress.
The full ensemble cast brings together established and rising stars:
| Actor/Actress | Notable Work |
|---|---|
| Kim Min Ha | Pachinko |
| Joo Jong Hyuk | Various Korean dramas and films |
| Han Sun Hwa | K-pop idol turned actress |
| Lee Hee Jun | Acclaimed film and TV actor |
| Shim Eun Kyung | Award-winning actress |
| Kim Dong Hwi | Rising star in Korean cinema |
The opening ceremony will also honor Michelle Yeoh as the Asian Filmmaker of the Year and Ann Hui with the Chanel-backed Camellia Award.
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Why This Selection Matters
Choosing The Table: Day and Night as the opening film continues BIFF’s tradition of spotlighting Korean cinema that tells intimate, character-driven stories. The festival noted that the film’s strength lies in how it “thoughtfully captures the unique inner voices and emotions of its characters, as well as the subtle shifts in their relationships”.
The movie brings together multiple storylines in a single location, similar to the director’s earlier work The Table from 2016. That film also premiered at BIFF in the Korean Cinema Today – Panorama section. This follow-up expands on that concept by exploring four different relationships across both day and night settings.
The 31st edition of BIFF will take place from October 6 to 15, 2026, with the opening film screening at the Busan Cinema Center. The festival is one of Asia’s most important film events, drawing filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences from around the world.
Also Read: Lee Junho’s Character Moves In With Kim Min Ha’s Family In “Typhoon Family”
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