Sayart.net - Celebrated Actor Choi Min-sik Honored with Special Exhibition at the 27th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival

BIFAN

The 27th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN), a renowned celebration of cinema, commenced on Thursday with an exciting 11-day program. Among its highlights is a special exhibition dedicated to the esteemed South Korean actor Choi Min-sik, titled "I Saw Choi Min Sik," held in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province.

Expressing both gratitude and a sense of modesty, Choi revealed his feelings about being featured in the exhibition. At a press conference held at the Hyundai Department Store's Jung-dong location in Bucheon on Friday, he expressed, "This special exhibition comes at a pivotal time for me, as I had wished to take time off after my latest work, 'Big Bet.' Without belonging to any agency at the moment, it's a valuable opportunity for me to reflect on my career. This exhibition has allowed me to revisit my previous works, something I wouldn't have done without this occasion."

Choi went on to explain that the exhibition serves as a chance for him to rejuvenate and assess areas for improvement in his future performances. As part of the exhibition, he carefully selected 10 films from his extensive portfolio to be screened in a special section during BIFAN. These films include notable works such as "Our Twisted Hero" (1992) and "Our Prime Time" (2022), showcasing his versatility and artistic growth throughout the years.

Filmmaker Chung Ji-young, the head of this year's BIFAN organizing committee, expressed his honor in having a special exhibition dedicated to Choi. He praised the veteran actor, stating, "I would call him the most passionate and the roughest, but also the most friendly actor in the world. It took too long to hold a special exhibition for him."

Choi, whose dedication to acting is likened to the necessity of eating, emphasized his love for the craft, stating, "Acting has become life to me, just like you can't live without having a meal. However, this doesn't mean that I feel pressured to display a different side of myself. It's simply that I love acting so much. If my love for acting ever diminishes, I will leave without hesitation."

As he enters his 60s, Choi expressed a broader understanding of acting and a desire to portray diverse characters within a cinematic universe. While some may refer to him as a "great movie star," Choi humbly redirected such accolades to veteran actors Shin Gu and Lee Soon-jae, acknowledging their longevity and contributions to the industry.

The special exhibition, located on the first floor of Hyundai Department Store's Jung-dong branch, will run from Friday until July 9. It offers visitors the opportunity to explore Choi's illustrious filmography through screenings of his films and displays featuring brochures chronicling his remarkable career. Limited edition merchandise will also be available for purchase.

With its "Stay Strange" slogan, the 27th BIFAN aims to foster talent in non-mainstream films, providing a platform for innovative and boundary-pushing works. The festival opened with the screening of American filmmaker Ari Aster's "Beau Is Afraid," attended by esteemed actors Kim Sung-kyun, Yang Dong-geun, Jang Young-nam, as well as international actors including Berant Zhu, Ko Chen-tung, and Kazuya Konaka, among others.

Sayart.net 

Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com