Here you can experience a variety pack of fascinating international festivals! Check out the latest news about Bucheon City.
About Bucheon
Bucheon City was rapidly urbanized as part of New Town development initiatives undertaken in the 1990s. Bucheon City, however, also emerged organically as a key city between Seoul and Incheon due to the swift industrialization and expansion of the Korean capital region. One factor enabling Bucheon’s rapid growth was its gateway status as a convenient transportation hub connecting major cities in the region. The Gyeongin Line, a rail line built in the 19th century, still links Seoul and Incheon. Along with Subway Line 7, some of the first highways in the nation still operate in region, making Bucheon an essential nexus for surrounding cities and regions.
There was a short period between the late 80s and early 90s when Bucheon had the largest population among all cities and counties in Gyeonggi Province. Although Bucheon now ranks sixth in the province terms of population – behind cities like Suwon, Goyang, and Yongin – it is still home to approximately 900,000 residents and has the highest population density among local governments in Korea.
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| Bucheon Hanok Village ⓒGyeonggi Province |
Bucheon City Policies in 2021
Bucheon City has presented three major policy directions this year: maximizing the role of public financing to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, active tax support to restore daily economic activities, and strengthening policies for the post-COVID-19 era.Of particular note, the city plans to swiftly execute a budget of KRW 502.1 billion in the first half of the year so as to mitigate the economic impact of COVID-19. Concurrently, the city government will also focus on the preferential procurement of products from companies within its jurisdiction in all feasible sectors, utilizing city financing to support local companies facing economic hardships.
Bucheon City has set the goal of easing the local tax burden on small business owners and ‘good Samaritan’ renters in order to support those affected by COVID-19 while alleviating local economic difficulties. This year, the city government will also extend the filing deadline for taxes so as to aid small business owners.
In part of Korean New Deal initiatives, Bucheon’s New Deal will see the allocation of KRW 377 billion to 82 projects this year with the aim of strengthening related digital, green, and social safety net initiatives. In order to enhance policy implementation through civic participation, the government will actively promote civic evaluation groups and policy discussions, as well as associated proposal and budgetary systems.
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| Korean Manhwa Museum ⓒGyeonggi Province |
Culture and Festivals
Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra
The Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the foremost cultural institutions of its kind in Korea, has continuously held a leading position in the classical musical field through ongoing development since its establishment in 1988.The Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra’s remarkable achievements include the appointment of its first permanent conductor, Im Hun-jung. In addition, the Mahler series, which the Orchestra staged for the first time in Korea from 1999 to 2003, ignited “Mahler syndrome” in the country. This milestone made its mark in Korean musical history. With the wholehearted support of Korean music enthusiasts, the orchestra received the Hoam Prize in Art (the “Korean Nobel Prize”) in 2005, the first time an institution of its kind was so honored.
Moreover, in 2002, the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra was invited to represent Korea at the 1st Asia Orchestra Week in Japan. In 2014, it debuted in Europe, the birthplace of classical music. The Orchestra experienced a turning point in 2015 when its 2nd permanent conductor, Park Young-min, was appointed. In 2016, the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra was the only Korean orchestra to be officially invited to the world-renowned La Folle Journée, an annual classical music festival held in France. In 2019, it was invited by the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Germany to perform at the Korean Culture Center as well as by the Bonn Office for engagements at the Berlin Philharmonic Hall and Cologne Philharmonic Hall. Completion of the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra’s own permanent concert hall is slated for 2023.
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival
The Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) is one of Asia's largest and most renowned genre film festivals. It is a member of the "Fantastic 7" program organized by the Marché du Film Festival, and epitomizes Bucheon as a UNESCO City of Literature. |
| Choi Minho and Lim Jiyeon are hosting the 22nd Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival ⓒGyeonggi Province |
This film festival provides visitors with opportunities to enjoy various movie genres ranging from comedy, romance, and action to horror, thriller, and science fiction. A primarily non-competitive international film festival with a partially competitive component, it features a variety of special exhibitions including: Buchon Choice, which identifies new trends; Korean Fantastic, which introduces the potential and latest initiatives of Korean films; and World Fantastic-Red, BIFAN's signature section.
Taking the lead in developing a new technology-intensive video culture, BIFAN is opening an era of realistic content culture through the VR and XR program Beyond Reality, marking a first among domestic film festivals.
Bucheon International Animation Festival
The Bucheon International Animation Film Festival (BIAF) has been held in Bucheon City annually since 1999. Unlike the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival and the Bucheon International Cartoon Festival, which take place during the summer, BIAF is usually held in mid-October in autumn.
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| The 20th Bucheon International Animation Festival ⓒGyeonggi Province |
Annecy Award-winning films are screened every year at BIAF as a result of a partnership with the Annecy International Animation Film Festival of France. The associated competition is divided into the following categories: feature films, short stories, student works, TV productions, and a Korean competition, as well as newly launched VR works, invitational films, and BIAF Classics.
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