[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] “Great movies, great music, and great people await you. I hope we can share stories and laughter with many of you in Jecheon again this year.”

Executive Committee Chairman Jang Hang-jun made these remarks while introducing this year’s program at the official press conference for the 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF), held on the 6th at Community House Masil in Myeong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul.
Chairman Jang drew laughter that day by introducing himself as “the husband of writer Kim Eun-hee, a world-renowned master born in Korea, and Executive Chairman of the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival.” While introducing the program, he joked, “It was a struggle to bring them on board. I had to beg a lot during the casting process,” adding, “I think it was still possible thanks to *The Man Living with the King*.”
◇ “10-million-viewer” master Han Jung-hoon takes the stage… Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho in one place
Director Park Chan-wook will attend the opening ceremony to grace the occasion. Additionally, this year’s festival features programs such as △Talk to You △Hidden Track △Showcase △Audience Workshop, and “The Life of a Film.” Guests for “Talk to You”—a program Chairman Jang is particularly confident in—include Director Bong Joon-ho, journalist Son Suk-hee, singer Kim Yoon-ah of Jaurim, profiler Kwon Il-yong, actress Jeon Mi-do, Director Lee Myung-se, and actress-director Ryu Hyun-kyung.
The audience workshop program “The Life of a Film” will also be introduced for the first time. Leading figures in the film industry are scheduled to meet with the audience on-site to share their insights. Participants include writer Jeong Seo-kyung, writer Kim Eun-hee, director and writer Cheon Myeong-gwan, and art director Yoo Seong-hee.
Director Jang explained, “This is a program that will be helpful to future filmmakers,” adding, “It will serve as an opportunity to show that film is not created alone, but is a collaborative effort and a product of collective intelligence.”
Regarding the process of inviting directors Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho, he shared, “I once told my daughter, ‘Surprisingly, many of the top-tier figures in our industry are villains.’ But Directors Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook are people from whom I have so much to learn, both in terms of their artistic merit and their character.”
He continued, “I wanted to bring the two of them together in one place,” and joked, “Regardless of whether it would work out or not, I just called them on a whim—and it turns out they like me.” Chairman Jang said, “It is an honor and a privilege to be working with them,” adding, “With these domestic and international heavyweights joining us, I believe the film festival will truly shine.”

Director Kim Cho-hee, who directed this year’s trailer, was also in attendance. The trailer features actress Kang Mal-geum, writer Kim Eun-hee, and Director Jang Hang-jun, raising anticipation for the festival.
Director Kim began by saying, “I wanted to create a trailer with a concept that could effectively draw in more audiences,” adding, “I wanted to ‘lure’ as many people as possible to come.”
To borrow Director Kim’s words, this trailer can be summed up in one sentence: “A cheeky joke rather than a grand declaration.” He explained, “I thought that making a movie is no different from the artistic impulse behind cave paintings—the first images created by humankind,” adding, “It’s the human impulse to leave something behind even when just making ends meet is difficult. And isn’t there always a victim alongside that? I wanted to portray that in a fun way,” he explained.
Director Kim also shared an anecdote about his collaboration with Director Jang, who made a special appearance in the film. “There’s no one as hot as Director Jang Hang-jun these days, is there? There’s no actor as good as him,” he said. “I was afraid I might be imposing on the writer and director when I gave them the script, but they responded so enthusiastically, saying it would be a lot of fun. They’re truly people of great caliber.”
The opening film is *Congo Boy*, which has been invited to the “Un Certain Regard” section of the 2026 Cannes International Film Festival. It depicts the journey of a young boy searching for his identity and voice on the border between war and migration. Director and musician Rapiki Farialla, originally from the Congo, drew on his memories of growing up as a refugee in the Central African Republic to craft a heartfelt coming-of-age story that focuses on the vitality of life rather than despair.

◇Mastering Both Film and Music… Changes and Distinctive Features
The Jecheon International Music & Film Festival is Asia’s only music film festival. By inviting a diverse selection of films that offer a comprehensive view of global trends in music cinema, the festival promises an even richer experience this year.
At the press conference held that day, organizers introduced this year’s festival changes and highlights, including the opening and closing films, the screening lineup, performance programs, and industry initiatives such as the Jecheon Music Film Market and the Jecheon Film Music Academy.
This year’s Jecheon International Music & Film Festival will showcase 189 films from 45 countries, offering the broadest program lineup in its history. It will also feature the “Nocturne Special,” a late-night special program running from late at night until dawn.
The most significant change is the restructuring of the International Competition section. The existing International Competition section has been renamed the International Music Film Competition, further clarifying its identity as a platform for films centered on music and musicians. In addition, a new International Competition section has been established to showcase outstanding new films from around the world without restrictions on genre or subject matter.
As a “music” film festival, opportunities for musicians have also been expanded. The “JIMFF Street Musicians” program is making a comeback. While “One Summer Night with K-Pop Season 2” welcomes audiences with a large-scale outdoor concert and “JIMFF Special Choice” presents a stage that spotlights specific artists and their musical worlds, “JIMFF Street Musicians” offers a more free-spirited and everyday musical experience throughout the city. Indie musicians selected through open auditions will perform busking shows at major locations downtown during the festival, connecting with the audience.
Local characteristics were also taken into account. To reduce the burden of lodging for audiences traveling from across the country and allow them to enjoy the festival more comfortably, new accommodations have been arranged. To this end, this year’s festival has partnered with an association of approximately 50 registered campgrounds in the area to provide and guide attendees to a wider variety of lodging options. During the festival, campground guests can receive the same discounts on movie and performance tickets as Jecheon residents by presenting their issued lodging confirmation certificate.

This year’s official ambassador, JIMFFACE, is actor Ahn Jae-hong. Ahn Jae-hong shared his thoughts, saying, “I am honored and delighted to serve as the ambassador for such a prestigious and popular film festival,” adding, “I am especially proud that I was able to have the moment where I received the appointment certificate from Director Jang.”
Chairman Jang remarked, “I can say with confidence that when I look back on my career and ask myself who I’ve held dearest, there’s only one person: Ahn Jae-hong.” He continued, “While you’re likely already familiar with many of Ahn Jae-hong’s charms, I hope you’ll discover many new ones at the opening ceremony.”
Organizing Committee Chairman Lee Jang-ho remarked, “Thanks to the interest and support of so many people, we’ve been able to establish ourselves as Korea’s premier film festival where film and music come together.” He continued, “I believe a good film is only truly complete when it meets its audience. The film festival is a precious occasion that facilitates such encounters,” and asked for continued interest and support.
The 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival will be held for six days, from the 3rd to the 8th of next month, throughout Jecheon City.