Why is Song Kang-ho on the mic again at the Busan International Film Festival?

It's been 14 years since Song Kang-ho held the microphone at the Busan International Film Festival. He's been stubborn about doing other things besides starring in movies but this time he's standing before 4,000 or so audiences.

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Song Kang-ho is hosting the opening ceremony of the 20th BIFF this 1st of October. It's been 14 years.

Why did he accept the offer?

First, it's 'loyalty'. BIFF was accused of foreign pressure regarding the showing of the documentary "Diving Bell". The issue was continued till this year and the Korean Film Council lost much of its support. Criticism took over. Song Kang-ho said, "I wanted to be of help to the festival in a situation where it's turning over a new leaf". He just couldn't say no.

It was hard to pass on the sincerity of the members of the festival after being with them for so long so close. He attended an event held in a theater in Seoul in August and ran into the director of the executive committee. He had rushed to where Song Kang-ho was after hearing about it right before he went down to Busan where the office is. Song Kang-ho said, "I agreed to do it so that the director could feel at ease going to Busan".

The fact that his co-host would be actress Marina Golbahari from Afghanistan also helped convince Song Kang-ho. He means to support the young actress who is living her dream in an impoverished country from war. He said, "She's not fancy, but she's like a flower blooming amidst the war. Don't you think we should notice her and think of her as precious?"

It's also the 20th year of Song Kang-ho's career and so is the BIFF. The symbol is meaningful. Song Kang-ho said, "I am going to consider this as the final time".