For just over a week in October, the Busan Cinema Center is the focus of one of Asia’s and the world’s biggest film festivals. Known affectionately as “Dureraum,” which in Korean means “enjoying seeing movies all together,” the center is much more than just a host for the almost 200,000 people who descend on the city to appreciate the best of Korean and international cinema. See a movie practically any day of the year, appreciate the architecture and visit the Asian Film Archive.
Come prepared to be amazed by the architecture, including the enormous roof that covers Dureraum Square, which is bigger than two and a half soccer fields. At night, enjoy the display of lights playing along the façade and lighting up the underside of one of the world’s largest cantilevered roofs. Enter the complex and explore all three buildings. On Wednesdays, watch a free movie, usually in Korean, in the outdoor amphitheater.
Explore the history of Korean and East Asian filmmaking in the Asian Film Archive, the first of its kind and a resource for academics and movie buffs. In winter, glide across the ice skating rink and take selfies with the life-size character sculptures dotted all around the complex. Be inspired by the movies, take classes in the on-site film academy or just return for another display of the ingenuity of Korean filmmakers.
Busan Cinema Center is located next to the river in the heart of Centum City, Busan’s foremost entertainment and arts district, east of the city center. Walk to the center in 5 minutes from the Centum City subway stop, which is 40 minutes away from the central station by subway and is easy to reach from most parts of the city. A bus line also offers connections throughout the district. Take the train from the airport in an hour. Parking is extremely limited in the area, so it is best to use public transportation or taxis. Tours are by reservation only and must be booked one week before the desired date.
