[Dispatch=Reporter Jung Tae-yoon] The 31st Busan International Film Festival has selected director Kim Jong-gwan's "Day and Night Are for Each Other" as its opening film.

"Day and Night Are for Each Other" depicts cheerful, understated, and affectionate conversations shared by four couples who pass through a single café during a season changing from summer to autumn.

The chance encounter between Yujin (played by Kim Min-ha) and Hyun-oh (played by Ju Jong-hyuk), who stay at the same café at different times, the unexpected and sudden reunion of childhood friends Sang-mi (played by Han Sun-hwa) and Young-min (played by Jang Yul).

And the sparkling first meeting full of laughter between web novel writer Hye-jin (played by Shim Eun-kyung) and film director Dong-nam (played by Lee Hee-jun), and the tender moment between idol trainee Na-gyeong (played by Jeon So-young) and her boyfriend Jong-soo (played by Kim Dong-hwi).

The film fully captures the characteristics of a café as a place where unspecified numbers of people come and go, lingering briefly before departing, depicting each character's narrative, personality, atmosphere, and nuance with a brisk tempo and thoughtful perspective.

Director Kim Jong-gwan won the Jury Special Prize at the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival with his short film debut "How to Operate a Polaroid" (2004). He was recognized as a promising newcomer with talent in delicate emotional direction.

He went on to create numerous short films including "Paradise" (2005) and "Ghosts of the Archive" (2014). In 2016, he solidified his standing by winning the International Film Critics' Award at the Moscow International Film Festival with his feature film "The Worst Day of My Life."

He has also presented various works including "The Table" (2017), "Josée" (2020), and "Where There Is No One" (2021). He also participated in Netflix original series omnibus projects including "Persona" (2019), "The Night the Moon Falls" (2022), and "The Killers" (2024).

The Busan International Film Festival described "Day and Night Are for Each Other" as "a fluid film in which Kim Jong-gwan, as a creator, has persistently and faithfully explored cinematic concerns, style, perspective, and vision, reaching a provisional maturity."

It continued, "The advantage and virtue is very significant in that the film thoughtfully depicts each character's unique inner voice, emotions, and subtle changes in relationships without excessive setup or drastic developments."

Finally, it stated the selection reason: "Accomplished actors recognized for their solid acting skills and promising newcomers have joined in large numbers, demonstrating an acting ensemble without reservation. It is a brisk yet serious film."

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

<Photo provided by Busan International Film Festival>