The 14th Busan International Comedy Festival (BICF) successfully concluded its 10-day run. This year's festival featured 52 teams from 9 countries presenting diverse performances across Busan.

52 Teams from 9 Countries Participate… Successful 10-Day Run

The opening performance began in Busan on the 21st, and on the closing day, the 30th, theater performances, an awards ceremony, and a closing performance followed in succession. 'Mandam Ensemble@BICF' received an enthusiastic response from audiences at the Ocean Hall of Busan Bank headquarters, while 'Onggoleus' performed a variety of genres including skits, juggling, and magic in children's makeup at the Shinsegae Centum City Culture Hall.

At the closing performance 'I Am a Dog Singer,' held at the Haneul Theater of the Busan Cinema Center, Sky Cheerleaders opened the show, followed by Sambooja (Lee Jung-yong, Lee Mid-eum, Lee Ma-eum), the Japanese team member, and Ijiyo.

Kwak Beom Wins 'Comedy YouTube Award'… Key Award Results

At the awards ceremony, the 'Comedy YouTube Award' was presented to Kwak Beom. He said, 'I'm glad that I seem to have grown alongside BICF's growth,' adding, 'BICF has helped many comedians grow. I will return next year in an even better form.'

The 'Sea of the Unknown Award' went to 'Park Sung-ho's Gag General Assembly.' Park Sung-ho said, 'I thank those who helped many comedians thrive on the SOOP platform.' The 'Street King Award' was given to '231 Show,' and the 'Hot Sea Award' to 'Woo Seok-hoon's Comedy Short Selection.'

Woo Seok-hun said, 'I was invited to BICF after my recent mime video became a topic. I'm grateful for the award and want to share the honor with everyone who worked with me.' Overseas performer 'Double' won the 'Sea of Laughter Award' and delivered remarks via video.

'Mandam Ensemble@BICF,' Korea's Top Comedy Team, Wins Busan Sea Award

The 'Busan Sea Award,' given to Korea's top comedy team, went to 'Mandam Ensemble@BICF.' Kwak Beom, who took the stage as the team's representative, said, 'A performance that began with 12 audience members is growing, and juniors who want to promote the mandam genre have emerged,' adding, 'We will definitely participate next year and become a team that continues to be active for 10, 20, 30, 40 years.'

After the awards ceremony, Lee Bong-won, Lee Se-young, Yeong-gi, Jo Hye-ryeon, and Yoon Su-il took the stage to bring the festival to a close. Executive Committee Chairman Kim Jun-ho and Director Kim Dae-hee concluded the event by shouting the BICF slogan, 'Busan Sea! Sea of Laughter!' together with the audience.

Strengthening K-COMEDY Competitiveness and Leap as Asia's Comedy Hub

Over the past 14 years, the Busan International Comedy Festival has contributed to spreading comedy culture and citizens' enjoyment of culture. Since 2024, it has been pursuing comedy talent development programs in cooperation with local universities, aiming to build infrastructure linking creation, education, and production, including the establishment of a dedicated comedy theater.

Going forward, the festival plans to create an environment where comedy content can be produced and distributed in Busan, strengthening the competitiveness of the K-COMEDY industry and growing into Asia's comedy hub.