Yang Zi-jing, who received the “Filmmaker of the Year Award” at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), stated at a press conference held on the 7th at the BIFF Hall in the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, “I’ve always wanted to introduce Asian cinema and culture to the world, so receiving this award in Busan is truly a great honor.”
She also expressed her special affection for Korea, saying, “I look forward to working with directors Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, and Bong Joon-ho,” and adding, “I love K-pop, K-dramas, and K-food, but my favorite of all is the Korean people.” Returning to the Busan International Film Festival for the first time in 15 years since *The Lady* (2011), she greeted fans on the red carpet with a “K-heart” gesture and waved continuously, appearing to enjoy the festival more than anyone else.
However, she revealed that the reality she faced when she first entered Hollywood was far from easy. “The biggest shock when I first went to Hollywood was the fact that I was a ‘minority,’” Yang Ziqing recalled. “Even though there are so many Asians around the world, people saw me only as a minority.” She continued, “There weren’t many roles available to me, and most were confined by stereotypes,” explaining, “Through films like *007: Die Another Day* and *Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*, I gradually broadened the range of roles I could play.”
Yang Ziqing expressed her hope that Asian cinema would have a stronger voice on the global stage. “It is deeply meaningful for our stories to be shared across cultures and borders,” she said. “The Busan International Film Festival, which has now grown into a world-class event, should project a stronger voice on the global stage and serve as a bridge that beautifully connects East and West.”
Yang Ziqing served as both the lead actress and executive producer for *Our Grandmother Is the Cube Queen*, a film invited to the festival’s Gala Presentation. Directed by Bai Xue, the film tells the story of Zhao (Yang Ziqing), who lost her home due to a scam and is living in a nursing home, but meets a young man who was once the world champion in Rubik’s Cube and embarks on a new challenge. Yang Ziqing remarked, “The Rubik’s Cube holds countless possibilities, and so does life,” adding, “I wanted to convey the message that opportunities can come no matter how old you are, and that you should never give up.”
Meanwhile, Bu International has organized a special program this year titled “Zhang Ziyi: Every Time, Every Place,” which spotlights Zhang Ziyi’s cinematic world. The festival will screen a total of four films personally selected by Yang Ziqing: *Swordsman* (2010), *Everything Everywhere All at Once* (2022)—which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress—director Sean Baker’s short film *Sandywara* (2026), and her new film *Our Grandmother Is the Cube King*.
