Actress Claudia Kim brought the 30th Busan International Film Festival to a stylish close.
On the 26th, the festival’s milestone Closing Ceremony at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae unfolded with Kim serving as the sole emcee.
Leveraging her global experience and unflappable poise, Kim helmed the two-hour program with ease, wrapping the 10-day celebration on an elegant note.
From her first entrance, Kim―also known as Kim Soo-hyun―turned heads with sophisticated, regal styling. Introduced as “the global star tapped by Marvel, courted by Warner Bros., and a favorite of Netflix,” she opened the night by telling the audience, “It’s an honor to be here where filmmakers from around the world gather, and I’m humbled to be hosting tonight’s closing ceremony. I’ll do my best.”
Switching seamlessly between Korean and English, Kim connected with filmmakers from across the globe, her rich voice and undeniable presence commanding the room. With BIFF debuting a new competition section this year―the Busan Awards―she deftly balanced tension and excitement, keeping the show brisk and engaging.
As the evening’s sole female host, Kim’s respect for cinema and calm, charismatic delivery won over both industry guests and the crowd. Critics praised how her seasoned touch linked the films to the audience and elevated the ceremony’s tone. It was a fitting finale for BIFF’s 30th edition, which drew roughly 20,000 more attendees than last year, further cementing its standing as Asia’s premier film festival.
Tasked with closing out BIFF’s 30th anniversary, Kim delivered grace and command in equal measure―an exclamation point on the festival’s final night and a teaser for her next global moves.
Meanwhile, Kim has set her next project at JTBC: the period action romance "God’s Bead" (working title), where she’s slated to unveil a new side of herself.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)