Wanna Meet the Stars? Here's How

By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter

What is the best thing about the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF)?

The hint is that all you need is a bit of luck, and more importantly, a good digital camera.

Most people would answer the range of movies available, but many would also say the chance to see their favorite movie stars.

During the nine-day festival, many famous actors and directors from home and abroad are scheduled to visit Pusan and there are many chances for you to see them in person.

The first way to see them is to go to the opening ceremony today. Some 150 celebrities will walk the red carpet, waving at their fans.

Ahn Sung-ki and Moon Geun-young will host tonight's ceremony, and big stars, including Jung Woo-sung, Kim Tae-hee, Soo Ae, Daniel Henney, Park Yong-woo, Lee Joon-gi, Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Ji-soo, and Uhm Ji-won, will greet fans.

If you want to get a closer look at the stars, you should check the special screening and event schedules.

Many movie screenings have guest visit sessions, and if you get tickets to the films with such events, you can see the director and main actors before or after you watch the movies.

There are many other events at which the stars meet their fans.

At the Open Talk on Oct. 13 at the outdoor stage in Haeundae, Andy Lau and Ahn Sung-ki will talk about their personal lives as well as their new film.

The PIFF Square in Nampo-dong and a new pavilion set up on the Haeundae Beach will also serve as a venue where visitors can meet celebrities and other guests.

With a little bit of luck, you will also bump into stars on the streets and in restaurants and bars.

It has now become common for teenagers to wait outside Pusan's big hotels to see their stars. But it is also true that you can see actors and directors walking down the street, having lunch at famous restaurants in the daytime or drinking at raw-fish restaurants and bars at night.