Speech

After leaving the airport, Gu Zhiyan went straight to Lin Yun'er and the others' residence, where Fan Xiaopang had already arrived before him.

Knowing that Gu Zhiyan was coming today, the Korean girls had already gathered in Busan in advance.

It's been a long time since we last met, so naturally we should start by having a deep conversation about our feelings.

It wasn't until the evening of the following day that Gu Zhiyan set off for the Busan International Film Festival.

The night sky, like a piece of dark blue velvet, hangs over the sea at Haeundae Beach in Busan.

Outside the main venue of the Busan International Film Festival, the streetlights, stage lights, and media flashes along the coast intertwined to form a dazzling network of light. The sea breeze, carrying the moisture of the waves, swept across the red carpet, and the scene was already bustling with activity.

The red carpet was laid out along the sea, with the blue sea on one side and layers of media areas and audience stands on the other. Filmmakers from various countries took turns to appear, and the sound of camera shutters was almost non-stop.

Gu Zhiyan was one of the most anticipated heavyweight guests of the evening.

He chose a charcoal black velvet suit, with a clean and tailored fit, without too many ostentatious accessories, only a very thin dark silver embroidery on the lapel, his black hair was neatly and softly styled, and his eyebrows and eyes were clear and distinct under the light.

When the host announced "지언, 중국배우 (Chinese actor, Gu Zhiyan)" in both Chinese and Korean, a tsunami of cheers erupted from the stands.

Korean fans behind the fence had already set up light boards and banners, and their shouts of "Gong Jin Ye" (Korean fans' chants) pierced the sea breeze, creating a more enthusiastic atmosphere than when many local artists appeared.

Gu Zhiyan walked with ease, at a moderate pace, occasionally turning slightly to leave room for the photographers on both sides. When she encountered fans, she would smile slightly and raise her hand in greeting.

When a reporter loudly posed a short question, he nodded gently in response, not stopping to disrupt the rhythm of the red carpet, demonstrating a perfect sense of propriety.

Walking up to the autograph wall, he picked up a silver marker and smoothly signed his Chinese name, then neatly added his Korean transliteration next to it. He turned to face the camera, lowered his eyes slightly, and posed for a series of photos.

Behind him was the sea of ​​Busan, with the sound of waves faintly audible. This photo of a "velvet suit × coastal night view" later became one of the most popular official photos of this film festival.

After the red carpet event, we entered the main theater, which was packed to capacity.

As the lights dimmed, a short film showcasing the highlights of Asian cinema over the past year was presented, with brief clips from films such as "Nanjing Photo Studio" and "Love Letter to Grandma" appearing in turn, eliciting spontaneous applause from the audience.

When it was time for the guest's remarks, Gu Zhiyan stepped onto the stage, took the microphone, and said in a calm and sincere tone: "I am very happy to be in Busan for the second time. Films have no borders, but emotions are universal. Whether it is a grand history or a small daily story like a bowl of hot soup from an old lady, as long as we are sincere enough, we can transcend language and reach people's hearts. I hope we can all continue to create stories with warmth."

After his brief speech, the applause from the audience was thunderous and prolonged.

Almost as soon as he stepped off the stage, Korean websites were flooded with new posts about him.

Naver's trending topics have undergone another major reshuffle.

【고지언부산레드카펫】(Gu Zhiyan Busan Red Carpet)

[고지언축사명대사] (famous line from Gu Zhiyan’s message)

【벨벳수트비주얼】(Velvet Suit with Stunning Looks)

Theqoo hot post quickly garnered over 3000 comments.

"The red carpet aura was absolutely stunning! The beach and black velvet combination created a divine atmosphere; every frame of the official photos could be a poster."

"His words really resonated with me! 'A sincere story can transcend language' perfectly expresses the feelings of many people who love his work. He is remembered not because of marketing, but because of his stories."

"Showing two of his works in a row in the short film is enough to prove the Asian film industry's recognition of him."

……

The Busan Film Review, a professional film and television media outlet, reposted the red carpet photos on its official Twitter account, stating: "A representative of Asian acting talent, building cultural bridges through his works."

Domestically, the hashtags 【Gu Zhiyan on the Busan beach red carpet】 and 【Gu Zhiyan's message at the film festival】 have been trending at the top of the search rankings, with fan-taken photos and official high-definition images circulating wildly.

After taking their seats inside, many filmmakers turned to nod to Gu Zhiyan, some whispering their appreciation for "Letters to Grandma".

The opening ceremony is still ongoing, and Gu Zhiyan's Busan story still has important segments to come, such as masterclasses and dialogue forums.

The day after the opening ceremony, the masterclass venue at the Haeundae Convention Center was packed to capacity.

The theme of this masterclass was "Narrative Across Regions: Character Portrayal by Asian Actors". Gu Zhiyan was invited as the keynote speaker. The venue was filled with filmmakers and critics from China and South Korea, as well as a large number of film fans who came specifically for the event. The audience was packed with cameras, and even the aisles were filled with audience members who came specifically for the event.

The host, a well-known and senior film critic from South Korea, began by introducing Gu Zhiyan in both Chinese and Korean, mentioning his films such as "The Wandering Earth," "Life's Big Events," "Nanjing Photo Studio," and "A Love Letter to Grandma." As soon as he finished speaking, a round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.

Gu Zhiyan, dressed in a simple dark gray casual suit, looked relaxed and at ease, having shed the formality of the red carpet, and sat down in the chair in the center of the stage.

The host posed the first question: "You have portrayed a series of drastically different characters, from patriots in turbulent times to ordinary people in the city. How do you avoid being confined by the superficial aspects of these roles when creating characters with such a wide range?"

Gu Zhiyan leaned slightly forward, her gaze composed. She first greeted the audience in brief Korean, then switched to Chinese, which was simultaneously translated by the on-site interpreter: "I have always felt that actors do not 'play' a person, but rather step into their life."

The protagonist in "Nanjing Photo Studio" lives in a turbulent era and bears the weight of his family and country; the characters in "Love Letter to Grandma" have no dramatic plot, only the subtle family affection and regrets.

Whether it's a big shot or an ordinary person, what always moves the audience is the genuine emotion hidden beneath the character.

I will try my best to shed my own habits and try to understand the character's growth trajectory, his joy, his regrets, and the obsessions he dares not express in his heart.

Even in period dramas, the core emotions are universal, which is why stories can transcend language and national borders.

The host then followed up with, "The film 'Letters to Grandma' doesn't have intense conflicts, yet it touched the hearts of countless people. What's your opinion on how a story about local family affection can move audiences abroad?"

Gu Zhiyan nodded gently: "Family ties know no borders. No matter which country you are from, everyone has loved ones they care about and regrets about not having had a proper goodbye."

A film doesn't need to force any message; as long as it's sincere enough and truthfully portrays human emotions, the audience will naturally empathize. I'm very fortunate that this film was seen by Korean audiences.

As soon as he finished speaking, applause erupted from the audience.