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3 Can’t-Miss Festivals Happening in Busan this October 2017.

Busan, Korea: Busan International Fireworks Festival

This October, hop on a train to Busan and take part in some of Korea’s most anticipated festivals! We’ve got fireworks, films, and a lot of K-Pop stars, so read on as KKday tells you what’s up with Busan this month.

Busan International Fireworks Festival

Date: October 28, 2017
Place: Gwangalli Beach, Gwangan Bridge 219, Hwanganhaebyeon-ro, Suyeong-gu, Busan

It all started in 2005, with an international audience of 21 countries. The extravagant fireworks show at the 2005 APEC Busan Summit left such a deep impression among the onlookers and the delegates, the city decided to make the fireworks an annual affair.

Busan, Korea: 2010 Busan International Fireworks Festival
Busan, Korea: 2010 Busan International Fireworks Festival (Flickr/Mohd Khamil)

This year, get ready for a jaw-dropping pyrotechnic show. See the grand display of light and sound put other fireworks show to shame.  You can watch the show up close and personal at the Gwangalli Beach, and in between the show you can grab some of Busan’s drool-inducing street food. Or if you want a more quiet, romantic experience with your special someone, trek up to Mt. Hwangnyengsan, where the air is cool and the sights are incredible.

 

Busan International Film Festival

Date: October 12 – 21, 2017
Place: Centum City, U-dong, Haeun Daegu, Busan-si

Since it started in 1996, the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) has become one of the most prestigious festivals in the world. The festival is particularly known for showcasing fresh talent, especially first-time directors across Asia.

Busan, Korea: Busan International Film Festival
Busan, Korea: 2009 BIFF Panel Talk between Kim Ji-Woon and Bryan Singer

This year, the festival will screen a total of 298 films from 75 countries. These include a number of much-awaited Filipino projects like Raya Martin’s Smaller and Smaller Circles (starring Sid Lucero) and Carlo Fazarda’s Suerte (starring Karl Medina). All attendees get to enjoy the film in swanky Busan Cinema Center, an impressive 30,000 square meter complex with a 4,000 seat outdoor theater.

Busan, Korea: Busan Cinema Center
Busan, Korea: Busan Cinema Center (Flickr/Cecil Lee)

Another festival attraction? The A-grade guestlist! Each year, Korea’s hottest celebrities grace the festival’s red carpet. Actors such as Sung Ji Hyo (Running Man), Lee Min Ho (Train to Busan) and Song Joong-Ki (Descendants of the Sun) make regular appearances, as well as K-Pop groups like Big Bang and EXO.

 

You can find out more about the films and directors from the BIFF’s official website, here.

Busan One Asia Festival

Date: October 22 to October 31, 2017
Place: Various events will take place across Busan.

If you’re a fan of Korean dramas, K-Pop music, Korean skincare…basically all things Korean, then don’t miss out on the Busan One Asia Festival! This incredible event is a grand gathering of some of Korea’s hottest celebrities and idols for a week of performances, interactive talks and booths, and stalls of your favorite Korean dishes and merchandise!

Busan, Korea: Busan One Asia Festival
Busan, Korea: K-Pop Girl Group ‘Red Velvet’ will perform during the festival’s closing ceremony (image via Wikimedia)

Don’t miss out on the festival’s Closing Ceremony which will feature performances from Red Velvet, Ailee, g.o.d’s Kim Tae Woo, and Baek Ji Young.

Keep following KKday for more features and exciting tours. If you’re not exactly a festival person, or won’t be in Busan this month, you can also check out our Busan Night Bus Tour., our Autumn Tour to Mt. Naejangsan, and a Tour to Dongpirang Village and the Tongyeong Jungang Market.

For more Korea tours, read about the Fall for Korea this Season: 4 Great Autumn Afternoons, the 5 Things to do in Jeju, and The 8 Best Places to Chase the Cherry Blossoms!

This article has been updated to to reflect events happening in October 2017. 

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