[Edaily Starin Choi Hee-jae Reporter] The 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival (JIMFF, Executive Committee Chair Jang Hang-jun) continues its summer night film festival amid the presence of domestic and international filmmakers—including directors Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho—and an enthusiastic response from citizens and audiences.

The Jecheon International Music & Film Festival kicked off in spectacular fashion on the 3rd. Film and music professionals from Korea and abroad—including Ahn Jae-hong, this year’s “JIMFACE,” and opening ceremony hosts Jang Do-yeon and Moon Sang-min, as well as music director Zhao Jiping, winner of the Jecheon Film Music Award, and director Rafiki Parialla of the opening film *Congo Boy*—gathered in Jecheon to launch a six-day festival celebrating film and music. Director Park Chan-wook served as the presenter for the Jecheon Film Music Award, personally presenting the trophy to music director Zhao Jiping and congratulating him on his win.
As the weekend began following the opening, downtown Jecheon buzzed with energy as citizens and audiences gathered to enjoy film and music. From performances at the Summer Plaza of the Jecheon Arts Center to film screenings at the Jecheon Cultural Theater, “Talk to You,” and the “OST Fair” and exhibitions in the Yeopyeoncho Salon area, audiences flocked to every festival program.

Executive Committee Chairman Jang Hang-jun said, “As always, so many people have come out this year, making for a truly joyful opening ceremony,” and shared the news that many programs and films were sold out. He then shouted, “I Love Film, I Love Music, I Love Jecheon, I Love Hang-jun!” and kicked off the six-day festival amid an enthusiastic response from citizens and audiences.
Director Park Chan-wook participated in a Q&A session with music director Jo Young-wook of *There’s Nothing I Can Do*, which was selected for the “Music Insight” film music competition section. Prior to the talk, the extended cut of *I Can’t Help It*—which runs about 20 minutes longer than the original theatrical version—was screened in theaters for the first time. Following the screening, the two shared stories with the audience about their long-standing collaboration on film music. Music director Jo Young-wook expressed his special feelings, noting that this was the first time he and Director Park Chan-wook had shared such a conversation with the audience on the topic of film music.
This year’s “Talk to You” featured a special segment where guests watched films they had personally selected alongside the audience and shared their personal stories related to the movies. After watching Director Bong Joon-ho’s selection—Emil Kusturica’s *Time of the Gypsies*—with the audience, he expressed his deep affection for the film by recounting everything from the moment he first encountered the work to an anecdote about meeting Director Kusturica at the Cannes International Film Festival.
“One Summer Night with K-Pop Season 2,” the flagship music program of the Jecheon International Music & Film Festival, set the Summer Plaza at the Jecheon Arts Center ablaze on the 4th and 5th. FT Island, MONSTA X, Soran, and Lisanne took the stage, connecting with the audience through their diverse music and performances.
On the 6th, the free outdoor concert “One Summer Dream,” held for Jecheon residents and festival attendees, carried on the excitement. Artists spanning generations—from the 1990s and 2000s to the present, including Koyote, Chae Yeon, No Brain, and Lee Sung-wook (R.ef)—took the stage, creating an outdoor music festival where citizens and festivalgoers alike enjoyed a diverse range of music, including K-pop, dance, and punk rock.

In the “Audience Workshop: The Life of a Film,” writer Jeong Seo-kyung, art director Ryu Seong-hee, writer Cheon Myeong-gwan, and music directors Kim Ji-hye, Chae Min-ju, and Heo Jun-hyeok participated to share the creative process—from screenplays to production design, literature, and film music—with the audience.
In the “Showcase,” TWICE’s Dahyun, as well as Samsan and Shin Inryu, shared their musical tastes and creative worlds. Additionally, “Hidden Track”—which bridged film screenings and live performances—and “MusicScape,” which highlighted film directors’ work on music videos, were well-received by audiences as programs offering unique ways to experience film and music.
Launched in 2006 and now in its 21st year, the Jecheon Film Music Academy has established itself as a cradle for nurturing film music talent, having produced 736 graduates to date. During this year’s six-day academy, participants engaged in practical film music production exercises and received lectures and mentoring from active film music composers. Music director Dal Paran participated in a special class, sharing his professional experiences and insights on film music with the students.
At the Jecheon Music Film Market, which supports collaborations between film projects and film composers, the event provided a platform for practical creative collaboration through one-on-one business meetings between projects and composers, as well as “Post-Production Support (Film Music) Pitching” sessions where composers proposed musical concepts and creative directions to directors.
The “OST Fair,” held in the Yeopyeoncho Salon area, also drew a steady stream of visitors throughout the weekend. A variety of programs took place, ranging from LPs, CDs, and film- and music-related merchandise to AI fragrance-blending experiences, talks, and showcases.
At “Still, Still,” an exhibition of unreleased stills from Korean films, directors Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho, along with actor Yoo Ji-tae, personally visited the exhibition hall during the festival. In this space showcasing stills that have captured moments from films such as “Oldboy,” “Snowpiercer,” and “Spring in Seoul,” the directors and actors met with the still photographers, creating special scenes that could only be witnessed at the festival.

This year’s festival expanded its scope beyond film screenings to become a celebration where film and music are enjoyed together through music performances, talks, exhibitions, and programs that bring creators and audiences together. As domestic and international filmmakers, Jecheon residents, and audiences gathered in one place to communicate through film and fill Jecheon’s summer, the 22nd Jecheon International Music & Film Festival is set to conclude its six-day celebration by showcasing the new joys created by film and music.
The closing ceremony on the 8th will be hosted by TV personality Song Eun-i and actress Han Ye-ri, and the winners of the competition section will be announced and awarded that day.