Credit: BY4M STUDIO
Lee Byung Hun is set to open the 30th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) as its official host, ushering in what organizers are calling the beginning of a new era for the landmark event.
Having maintained a long-standing relationship with the festival since the 8th BIFF in 2003, Lee will make history this year as the first solo male host of the opening ceremony. His presence is expected to add gravitas to the anniversary edition of Asia’s largest film festival.
Celebrating his 35th year since debut, Lee Byung Hun continues to be one of Korea’s most respected and internationally recognized actors. With a career that spans television and film, he’s known for his unmatched range and screen presence. Lee recently appeared in back-to-back seasons of the global Netflix phenomenon Squid Game , further solidifying his influence in the global entertainment landscape.
On the Korean big screen, he’s delivered powerhouse performances in Inside Men (2015), The Fortress (2017), The Man Standing Next (2020), Emergency Declaration (2022), Concrete Utopia (2023), and The Match (2025)—earning critical acclaim, sweeping acting awards, and dominating the box office. His upcoming film No Other Choice by Park Chan Wook is also poised to show a new side of the actor.
Lee Byung Hun also boasts a strong Hollywood résumé, having made his debut in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009). He went on to appear in Red 2 (2013), Terminator Genisys (2015) and The Magnificent Seven (2016), leaving a lasting impression on international audiences.
In recent years, he’s expanded his influence through voice acting, lending his nuanced delivery and subtle emotional control to upcoming projects like KPop Demon Hunters (2025) and King of Kings (2025).
The 30th Busan International Film Festival will take place September 17th–26th, centered around the Busan Cinema Center, with a 10-day program celebrating the best of Asian and global cinema.
Lee Byung Hun Talks ‘Squid Game 3,’ Front Man Spinoff Possibilities on ‘The Tonight Show’
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