‘Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere’ is a section that selects and premieres the latest and most prominent contemporary Korean commercial films, known for their mass appeal and significance. This year, the section has unveiled five films, including four world premieres, which are set to captivate the audience’s attention.

The film A Girl with Closed Eyes (2024) is a thriller that delves into the complex and tense relationship between a criminal and a detective, who are reunited after the murder case of a bestselling author. The film features performances by Kim Minha, who gained global recognition from Pachinko (2022), and Moon Choi from Anarchist from Colony (2017). Director Hur Jin-ho’s latest work, A Normal Family (2023), is a well-crafted suspense thriller that depicts the unraveling lives of four individuals, each steadfast in their own beliefs, after they witness a crime scene involving their children captured on CCTV. With stellar performances by Sul Kyung-gu, Jang Dong-gun, Kim Hee-ae, and Claudia Kim, the film delivers intense, gripping tension throughout.


Set in Bogotá, Colombia, the film Bogota: City of the Lost (2024) follows the story of Korean immigrants whose lives, filled with despair, lead them to resort to smuggling in this city of last chances. The movie stars Song Joong-ki in the lead role, alongside a cast of distinctive actors including Lee Hee-jun, Kwon Hae-hyo, Park Ji-hwan, Cho Hyun-chul, and Kim Jong-soo, heightening anticipation for its release. DIRTY MONEY (2024) marks the directorial debut of director Kim Minsu, who wrote the screenplay for The Merciless (2017). This crime drama follows two corrupt detectives involved in crime for a bigger score, with Jung Woo, Kim Dae-myung, and Park Byeong-eun in the lead roles. The film Hear Me: Our Summer (2024) is a remake of the Taiwanese film Hear Me (2009) that also draws attention. The original Hear Me (2009) was well-received in Korea, set to be revisited with a warm and beautiful story, featuring actors Hong Kyung and Roh Yoon-seo, who are building a solid filmography with their outstanding performances, along with rising star Kim Min-ju.
‘On Screen’ section aims to encompass cinema’s expanded trends and values by showcasing the most anticipated drama series in advance. This year, it offers a rich lineup featuring four Korean productions and two international productions, all set to premiere globally for the first time.

Beyond Goodbye (2024) is a melodrama starring Arimura Kasumi from We Made a Beautiful Bouquet (2021) and Sakaguchi Kentaro from The Last 10 Years (2022). Despite its familiar setting—a man who receives the heart of a deceased boyfriend and the woman who finds herself drawn to him— this series captivates viewers with rich details that add depth to this Japanese drama. Born for the Spotlight (2024) is the third drama series directed by renowned Taiwanese actor, writer, and director Yen Yi-wen, after the success of previous two-parts drama series The Making of an Ordinary Woman (2019). The film vividly portrays the lives of female characters working in various roles within the show business industry as they fiercely pursue their dreams and passions amidst a blend of ambition and desire. While showcasing their affectionate solidarity, the film is filled with comedic and sexual tension that permeates the screen.


Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard (2024) is a spin-off series of the top-rated and nationally acclaimed drama Stranger (2017). Starring Lee Jun-hyuk and Park Sung-woong, the story revolves around the exasperating yet endearing prosecutor Dongjae as new situations and cases unfold with intense urgency. Gangnam B–Side (2023) is a thrilling crime drama set against the backdrop of the the other side of Gangnam, delving into a high-stakes chase. The gripping storyline, centered around a missing person case, keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The film stars Jo Woojin, Ji Changwook, Ha Younkyoung, and Kim Hyungseo, who bring added depth and charm to their characters.


Hellbound Season 2 (2024) is the highly anticipated follow-up to the drama series Hellbound Season 1 (2021), which gained widespread attention for its various controversial themes, depicting a dystopian world. Director Yeon Sang-ho and writer Choi Gyu-seok team up once again to bring an even more vivid and intense vision of ‘Hellbound’ to the screen. Way Back Love (2024) is a teenage coming-of-age fantasy romance that follows a protagonist who, after losing all hope, unexpectedly reunites with her ex-boyfriend, now a grim reaper, opening a new chapter in her life. Actors Gong Myoung and Kim Minha deliver lively and delightful performances, offering a unique and enjoyable experience.
The 29th Busan International Film Festival, which has unveiled the selections of ‘Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere’ and ‘On Screen,’ showcasing contemporary Korean and international films and drama series, will be held for 10 days from Oct 2 (Wed) to Oct 11 (Fri) in the vicinity of the Busan Cinema Center.
[‘Korean Cinema Today – Special Premiere’ Section Selections]
*Titles in alphabetical order
Title | Director | Distribution | Premiere |
A Girl with Closed Eyes | CHUN Sunyoung | WP | |
A Normal Family | HUR Jin-ho | MINDMARK Inc. | |
Bogota: City of the Lost | KIM Seong-je | Plus M Entertainment | WP |
DIRTY MONEY | KIM Minsu | ACEMAKER MOVIEWORKS | WP |
Hear Me: Our Summer | JO Seon-ho | Plus M Entertainment | WP |
*WP: World Premiere
[‘On Screen’ Section Selections]
*Titles in alphabetical order
Title | Director | Running Time | Distribution | Premiere |
Beyond Goodbye | KUROSAKI Hiroshi | 90min(2 of 8 episodes screening) | Netflix | WP |
Born for the Spotlight | YEN Yi-wen | 146min (3 of 12 episodes screening) | Netflix | WP |
Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard | PARK Gun-ho | 103min(2 of 10 episodes screening) | TVING | WP |
Gangnam B-Side | PARK Noori | 131min(3 of 8 episodes screening) | Disney Plus | WP |
Hellbound Season 2 | YEON Sang-ho | 144min(3 of 6 episodes screening) | Netflix | WP |
Way Back Love | KIM Hyeyoung, CHOI Hana | 138min(3 of 6 episodes screening) | TVING | WP |
*WP: World Premiere