Busan for film fans: movie landmarks and locations beyond BIFF
Busan is a mecca for cinephiles. The annual Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is one of Asia’s premier events, drawing filmmakers and fans from around the world. But in Busan, cinema isn’t just celebrated once a year—it’s embedded in the streets, architecture, and public imagination.
In 2016, the city took on new meaning for global audiences with Train to Busan, Yeon Sang-ho’s pulse-pounding zombie thriller that turned a routine KTX journey into a cinematic battleground. We took that same trip from Seoul—though the only thing getting devoured was a convenience store sandwich and a plastic-wrapped hotteok.
As someone who’s spent years writing about Asian cinema—especially South Korean film—Busan had long been on my radar. Even outside festival season, the city brims with cinematic landmarks: from celebrity handprints to murals and hidden Easter eggs for film lovers.
Why Busan is South Korea’s city of film
As South Korea’s second-most populous city, Busan has long held a deep connection to cinema. In 2014, it was designated a UNESCO City of Film—one of only 26 cities worldwide tasked with “placing creativity and cultural industries at the heart of local engagement.”
Busan was likely one of the first places in Korea to screen a film, at the Haengjwa Theatre sometime between 1895 and 1915. During the Japanese colonial era, which ended with Korea’s liberation in 1945, the city maintained nearly two dozen theatres. BIFF launched in 1996 and has since attracted global audiences to its annual October program. The striking Busan Cinema Center even holds a Guinness World Record for the world’s longest cantilever roof.
Today, you’ll find film icons quite literally embedded in the streets. Even bus stops and utility boxes across the city feature film strip motif. It’s a subtle, everyday nod to Busan’s cinematic heritage.
BIFF Square and the festival spirit
We didn’t know what to expect from BIFF Square. On Naver Maps it sometimes showed up as “Beef Square”—hardly reassuring for vegetarians. But stepping through the archways, it was instantly clear Busan takes its cinematic heritage seriously.
Officially named BIFF Square in 1996—the same year the Busan International Film Festival launched—this bustling alley between Daeyeong Cinema and MEGABOX Busan is a year-round tribute to film culture. At first glance, it’s just another shopping strip, but look closer and you’ll find bronzed handprints and signatures of screen icons from Korea and around the world. Each festival season, new names are added during special ceremonies. We spotted the prints of Jeremy Irons sitting alongside Kitano Takeshi, Abbas Kiarostami, Wim Wenders, Seijun Suzuki, Tsui Hark, Dario Argento, Harvey Keitel, and more.
Every September or October, BIFF takes over the city. While BIFF Square is no longer the main venue—the festival moved to the Busan Cinema Center in Centum City in 2011—it remains the symbolic heart of one of the world’s biggest film festivals. BIFF champions emerging filmmakers, and in 2025 launched a dedicated competition for new Asian directors.
Busan Museum of Movies
A short walk from BIFF Square, the Busan Museum of Movies is a must for anyone curious about Korea’s cinematic past. Opened in 2013, it combines interactive exhibits with deep dives into the evolution of Korean film—from its earliest screenings in the colonial era to the international success of directors like Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook.
When we visited, we were virtually the only ones in the building, which made it feel like our own private film playground. We tried the green screen, recorded voice-overs, and played a giant movie trivia game—entirely in Korean by ourselves.
It’s a fun, hands-on way to explore Busan’s movie heritage, even if you’re not a hardcore cinephile. And if it’s raining (or you just need a break from the crowds), it’s the perfect spot to spend an hour or two immersing yourself in Busan’s cinematic past.
On location: famous films shot in Busan
A giant Black Panther display greets you at the entrance to the Busan Museum of Movies—fitting, since part of Marvel’s 2018 blockbuster was shot right here. The neon-soaked car chase tears through Jagalchi Market and Gwangalli Beach, showcasing Busan’s nightscape to the world.
Busan’s no stranger to the big screen. Train to Busan (2016) put it on the global cinematic map, even if most of the zombie chaos stayed on the KTX. Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave (2022) is steeped in the city’s foggy hills and coastal views, while his earlier Oldboy (2003) might leave you craving dumplings from Jangsunghyang in Chinatown.
Yeongseon-dong’s ‘My Movie Village’ sign highlights films shot near the seaside neighbourhood—including The Attorney and Typhoon.
On a morning walk in the seaside Yeongseon-dong, we spotted a hand-crafted sign marked ‘My Movie Village,’ listing local productions shot nearby. From Yang Woo-seok’s The Attorney (2013), rooted in Busan’s political history, to moments from Typhoon and Countdown, local pride in the film culture is embedded in the neighbourhoods.
It’s probably no surprise that the colourful Gamcheon Culture Village has been the backdrop for multiple films and series. K-dramas like L.U.C.A.: The Beginning (2021) and the heartwarming movie A Little Princess (2019) both used the area that has been called the ‘Santorini of Korea’ as their setting.
More recently, films including Exhuma (2024) and the international thriller Disorder (2025) have used Busan’s unique urban character. Many of these locations—Gwangalli Beach, Jagalchi Market, and the winding alleys of Ami-dong—are easy to visit, living reminders that Busan is as much a film set as a city.
Don’t miss these highlights
DON'T MISS
- BIFF Square: Celebrity handprints and film murals
- Busan Museum of Movies: Interactive exhibits and Black Panther display
- Jagalchi Market & Gwangalli Beach: Iconic Black Panther filming locations
- Busan Cinema Center: The home of BIFF in Centrum City
Getting Around Busan for Film Lovers
Getting around Busan is easy, with most film sites connected by the excellent public transport system. We stayed near Nampo Station, which was about 40 minutes by bus to Gwangalli Beach, but only a short 7 or 8 minute walk to BIFF Square or the Museum of Movies.
Signage is mostly English-friendly, though Google Translate was never far from reach. On the bus stops, you’ll see a film strip motif that signifies you’re in a city of film no matter where you go.
Pro tip: Naver Maps is the superior map app in South Korea.
Busan isn’t just a city for film lovers—it’s a pilgrimage, especially if you follow our adventures in Asian cinema over at The Reel Bits.
Check out our other stories on South Korea for more tips and inspiration.
