Director Kim Jong-kwan Celebrates the Beauty of the Mundane as Ensemble Drama 'Night and Day to Each Other' Opens the 31st Busan International Film Festival

Summary Director Kim Jong-kwan's latest ensemble romance drama, 'Night and Day to Each Other' (낮과 밤은 서로에게), officially opened the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), spotlighting the profound emotional power hidden within quiet, everyday encounters. Speaking at the opening press conference held at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae, Kim expressed deep gratitude that Asia's most prominent film festival recognized a cinematic work dedicated entirely to the subtle nuances of human conversation. The film revolves around four different couples having conversations at different hours within the same cafe: two neighborhood acquaintances who share only a brief fleeting connection, former middle-school classmates reuniting, a popular web novel author and an independent film director eager to adapt her work, and a long-term couple reflecting on their relationship. Echoing Kim's acclaimed 2017 film 'The Table', which also examined multiple relationship vignettes within a single intimate space, 'Night and Day to Each Other' weaves casual chatter—ranging from last night's dreams and provocative web novel tropes to past memories and tentative futures—into poignant moments of affection, regret, and bewilderment. The film boasts a star-studded cast including Kim Min-ha (known globally for 'Pachinko'), Shim Eun-kyung ('Sunny', 'Blue Hour'), Lee Hee-jun, Han Sun-hwa, Joo Jong-hyuk, Jang Ryul, Jeon So-young, and Kim Dong-hwi. During the press conference, the actors described themselves as long-time admirers of Kim's distinctive cinematic vision. Kim Min-ha, who portrays Yujin, shared that she had been an avid fan attending Kim's GV (guest visit/audience Q&A) sessions since youth and received the screenplay while filming in Toronto, Canada. Meanwhile, Shim Eun-kyung reflected on tackling the role of Hye-jin, a confident, determined web novel author whose outspoken personality was a welcome departure from her actual self. BIFF programmer Jung Ji-hye commended the movie for its wide appeal across generations, noting that the chemistry among the cast and their seasoned acting prowess effortlessly captivate outdoor audiences at the Cinema Center's Roof Theater. Notably, festival organizers maintained focus strictly on the opening film during the session, politely deflecting questions regarding 'The Assassin(s)', a separate historical controversy-laden title whose outdoor promotional events were recently canceled citing safety and logistical concerns.