Rising star leads BIFF opening
Pachinko Breakout Star Kim Minha to Solely Host 31st Busan International Film Festival Opening Ceremony
Anonymous
Key Points
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Kim Minha has recently earned multiple awards, underscoring her rising prestige: Best Actress in the International Competition at the 2025 Seoul International Drama Awards, Best New Actress at the 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards, and the Actress, Rising Star award at the 2026 Korea First Brand Awards.
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In addition to television, she is slated to appear in the 2026 film Hana Korea, signaling further expansion into feature cinema.
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Kim Minha made her acting debut in 2016, marking the start of a rapid ascent through a variety of film and television projects.
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BIFF’s 31st edition includes the 21st Asian Contents & Film Market, scheduled for October 10–13, reinforcing the festival’s role as an industry platform beyond the city-wide screenings.
Kim Minha, best known for playing young Sunja in Apple TV+'s Pachinko, will serve as the sole host of the 31st Busan International Film Festival's opening ceremony on October 6, allkpop reported. The festival runs from October 6 to 15 at the Busan Cinema Center and venues across the city.
BIFF praised her "depth, emotional precision, and rising status" as a new-generation South Korean actress. Notably, the festival traditionally features two Korean stars at its opening — making her solo role a break from the norm, according to Yahoo News.
BIFF Breaks Tradition by Naming a Solo Host
For years, BIFF has opened with two Korean stars sharing hosting duties. This year, Kim Minha takes the stage alone. Asian Movie Pulse noted that the festival chose her for her "poised yet spirited presence" — qualities they believe will set the right tone for the ceremony.
The 31st edition also includes the 21st Asian Contents & Film Market, running October 10 to 13. That market makes BIFF more than a film showcase — it is a key industry platform for buyers, sellers, and creators across Asia, according to Zoom TV Entertainment.
Pachinko Role Launched Her onto the Global Stage
Kim Minha made her acting debut in 2016. Her career changed when she was cast as young Sunja in Pachinko, the Apple TV+ series based on Min Jin Lee's novel. The role brought her international attention and gave BIFF confidence in her global appeal, allkpop reported.
She has since appeared in K-dramas including Light Shop, Way Back Love, and Typhoon Family. She is also set to appear in the 2026 film Hana Korea, marking a deeper push into feature cinema, according to Asian Movie Pulse.
Award Wins Signal a Fast-Rising Career
Kim Minha has collected a string of awards in a short time. She won Best Actress in the International Competition at the 2025 Seoul International Drama Awards. She also took home Best New Actress at the 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards, one of South Korea's most respected film honors.
Most recently, she received the Actress, Rising Star award at the 2026 Korea First Brand Awards. Together, these wins show a performer quickly moving from breakout talent to marquee name, according to Head Topics.
Festival Bets on Youth and Global Visibility
BIFF's choice reflects a clear strategy: spotlight young, internationally recognized talent. Kim Minha fits that profile. Head Topics noted that the festival is building on the momentum of a new flagship competition section launched last year, using the opening ceremony to signal its direction.
At just a few years into her career, Kim Minha hosting solo is a milestone — both for her and for the festival. Yahoo News framed the appointment as BIFF doubling down on "emerging talent" as a core part of its identity going forward.
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