BIFF’s closing ceremony features the presentation of the Busan Awards, which were introduced last year to honor the winners of the festival’s Competition. As the face of this finale to the festival, actor Yim Siwan has been named as the solo host.
Yim Siwan made his acting debut in 2012 with the series Moon Embracing the Sun, quickly captivating the public with his assured and compelling performance. He made his feature film debut in The Attorney (2013), delivering a powerful performance that shattered stereotypes surrounding idol-turned actors. He then established himself as a leading actor in the series Misaeng (2014) by portraying Jang Geu-rae, a rookie office worker. Through his highly realistic and restrained emotional acting, Yim perfectly captured the anxieties of the younger generation. Since then, he has built a boundless filmography across film, television, and streaming platforms, with notable works including The Merciless (2017), Run On (2020), Boyhood (2023), and Unlocked (2023).
Furthermore, Yim cemented his status as a global star by joining the cast of the seasons 2 and 3 of the worldwide phenomenon Squid Game (2021-2025). Through diverse projects such as the film Mantis (2025), he has demonstrated his wide acting range across both dramatic and genre roles. These achievements have earned him a string of honors, including the Popularity Award at the 2014 Blue Dragon Film Awards, Best New Actor (TV) at the 2015 Baeksang Arts Awards, Best Supporting Actor at the 2022 Buil Film Awards, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Commendation at the 2023 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, and Best Actor at the 2024 Blue Dragon Series Awards.
BIFF selected Yim Siwan in recognition of the depth and consistency of his performances and his ability to capture the essence of every character he portrays. His assured presence as host is expected to add to the prestige and emotion of the Busan Awards and bring the festival to a fitting close. The 31st Busan International Film Festival will run for 10 days from Oct 6 (Tue) to Oct 15 (Thu) at the Busan Cinema Center and throughout Busan.
