Pachinko star Kim Min Ha to host Busan International Film Festival opening

Actress Kim Min Ha is set to become the face of the 31st Busan International Film Festival. Following recent buzz regarding her weight loss for a recent project, she has proven her growing influence by being selected as the sole MC for the opening ceremony of Korea's largest film festival.

The Busan International Film Festival stated, "We have selected actress Kim Min Ha as the sole MC for the opening ceremony of the 31st Busan International Film Festival, which will be held for ten days from October 6 to 15." After introducing a new competition category last year, the festival will open its stage this year with Kim.

Since her debut in 2016, Kim has built a unique acting career spanning both film and television. She garnered global attention for her portrayal of the young Seon-ja in the Apple TV+ original series 'Pachinko'.

She left a powerful impression on domestic and international viewers by delicately and deeply portraying the inner life of Seon-ja, a character who perseveres through the massive historical upheavals of the Japanese colonial period and immigration. For her performance, she was recognized as a rising global talent, winning the Best Newcomer award in the TV category at the 2022 Asian American Awards.

Since then, Kim has continued to build a steady filmography. She has portrayed diverse characters in dramas such as 'Light Shop', 'Way Back Love', and 'Typhoon Family', as well as the film 'Hana Korea'. Rather than remaining merely a youth star, she has expanded her standing through acting that delves deeply into the emotions and narratives of her characters.

These achievements have been reflected in numerous awards. Kim has established herself as a next-generation actress, winning Best Actress in International Competition at the 2025 Seoul Drama Awards, Best New Actress at the 2025 Blue Dragon Series Awards, and Best Actress (Rising Star) at the 2026 Republic of Korea First Brand Awards.

The Busan International Film Festival organizers also noted Kim's acting prowess. A festival official explained the selection, stating, "We paid attention to Kim Min Ha's ability to deeply express the inner self of her characters. We expect her to lead the opening ceremony with stability through her serious yet confident charm."

Recently, she once again became a topic of conversation due to her weight loss for a role. It is known that Kim maintained strict discipline to embody her character, and despite her thin physique, she garnered public interest with her healthy aura and unique presence.

However, Kim's true strength lies not in her physical transformations, but in her tenacious approach to her characters and her professional attitude. Having convincingly brought to life characters who fight against their era and environment, much like Seon-ja in 'Pachinko', she now takes on a new challenge as a host connecting audiences and filmmakers on the grand stage of the film festival.

The 31st Busan International Film Festival will be held from October 6 to 15 at the Busan Cinema Center.