Busan aims to be 'launchpad for K-movies' with second film studio

Movies

Published: 25 Jul. 2024, 17:30

Busan aims to be 'launchpad for K-movies' with second film studio

Yu In-chon, the minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, meets students at Korean Academy of FIlm Arts in Busan on July 19. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

BUSAN — A coastal city known for attracting cinephiles annually to its prestigious Busan International Film Festival, is now setting its sights on a new demographic: filmmakers. With ambitious plans to establish itself as a bustling hub of cinematic excellence, Busan aims to become a premier destination for Korean film creators.

The first step to attracting filmmakers is developing well-equipped and supportive infrastructure. To this end, Busan is building a large film studio in Gijang County, located east of the city. At the July 18 groundbreaking ceremony for Kofic Busan Studios, Busan's second film studio, city mayor Park Heong-joon said he believed the project would “not only advance Busan's film and video industry, but also serve as a launchpad for K-movies and K-content to reach out to the world.”

The city's first film studio, Busan Cinema Studios, was established in 2001 in Haeundae.

The Korea JoongAng Daily visited Busan, alongside the Culture Ministry, to look at the current state of the city’s film industry and its future plans last week to discover less-known facts such as the local film companies’ situation.

Culture Minster Yu In-chon, eighth from left, poses for a photo during a groundbreaking ceremony for Kofic Busan Studios in Gijang County, Busan, with other attendees including Busan Mayor Park Heong-joom, seventh from right, on July 18. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

Enhancing infrastructure

As the monsoon season swept across Korea, Busan's weather oscillated between sun and rain. But the long-anticipated enthusiasm for Busan's cinematic future overshadowed any weather concerns. It had taken nine years, after all, to reach this milestone.

The new studio was initially set to be built in Gijang's ceramic village under a four-party agreement made in 2015, aiming to address the shortage of production infrastructure in Busan and correct the regional imbalance caused by the concentration of facilities in the capital area. Although the state-run council headquarters and its affiliated institution, the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA), relocated to Busan in 2013 and 2018 respectively, the studio's groundbreaking was delayed by legal and administrative issues.

A character from the Korean Film Council (Kofic) stands in front of the entrance of the Kofic Busan Studios' groundbreaking ceremony held on July 18 in Gijang County, Busan. [KIM JI-YE]

Now scheduled for completion in September 2026, the facility will feature three indoor studios, an artwork facility for creating sets and props, a production support facility, and an outdoor production space.

Once completed, it will become the nation's only comprehensive film and video production facility with both indoor and outdoor studios.

Yang Yun-ho, president of the Motion Pictures Association of Korea, expressed his hopes during the ceremony.

“I hope the studio will not simply be a space for film production, but a cradle of dreams that plants hope and possibility for those who dream. This is just the beginning,” said Yang.

Culture Minister Yu In-chon also attended the ceremony to celebrate the facility's groundbreaking. “I believe that the studio will act as the central hub for Korea’s film industry, and I hope that it will also emerge as a key player in the Southeast Asian and global video industry, in addition to becoming the heart of Korean cinema.”

Strengthening soft power

With infrastructure in place, the next step is nurturing future talents and supporting film professionals to propel Busan’s film industry to new heights. Kim Young-jin, CEO of Rocket Film, spoke about the challenges faced by Busan-based film graduates, who are often pushed to move to Seoul to find work.

“Many students who graduated from schools in Busan want to work here, but they often have to move to Seoul because there aren't many job opportunities available in Busan,” Kim said. Rocket Film is the producer of the film “Picnic” released on Feb. 7.

A sign for the Korean Academy of Film Arts (KAFA) stands at the entrance of the academy's building. [KIM JI-YE]

During the visit to KAFA, a state-run school that trains professional filmmakers, Minister Yu, who is also a veteran actor, reflected on his prior career and expressed nostalgia. Stepping into the KAFA, he said, reminded him of the moments when he'd first started studying acting.

KAFA, established in 1984, has produced many renowned Korean directors, including Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho and Jang Joon-hwan, director of “Save The Green Planet!” (2003). Despite Busan's well-equipped “hardware,” including numerous film schools, a studio, and a film festival, Kim said the area's shortage of talent continues to impede the development of its film industry.

“To transform Busan into a true film and video city, it is crucial to create conditions that allow film industry professionals to live and work here,” Minister Yu said, addressing the hardships faced by local insiders.

Film creators highlighted the lack of communication and requested a more active networking system between local film companies, film institutions, and the city of Busan.

Culture Minister Yu In-chon meets with Busan-based filmmakers at a studio at Korean Academy of Film Arts in Busan on July 19. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

Dessins drawn by Korean Academy of Film Arts students are hung on a wall. [KIM JI-YE]

“I've been making films in Busan for about three years now, and this is the first time we've gathered to discuss issues like this,” said Kim Ye-sol, CEO of Noon Production. Twenty-one film companies currently operate in Busan, a fact Minister Yu acknowledged learning for the first time, given the concentration of film companies in the capital area.

The inside of a recording room in the Korean Academy of Film Arts's building in Busan [KIM JI-YE]

While discussing ways to enhance Busan’s competitiveness, Yu mentioned the new facility he'd visited the day before. “If the film studio in Gijang County does not offer any unique conditions, such as special effects or other aspects that can't be found elsewhere, it will lose its competitiveness,” he said.

After touring the academy, Yu advised students to “dream big,” but also cautioned them about the harsh realities of the film industry. “The world is not easy,” he said. “You may succeed, but there is also a possibility that you may not. It’s always a 50-50 situation.”

“It’s great if you all succeed, but even if you fail, the experience will be worthwhile in understanding films,” Yu added. “We will do our best to make a good foundation for the future talents to succeed. So think big.”

BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]