The Busan International Film Festival has announced that acclaimed actress Claudia Kim will serve as the solo host for its closing ceremony on September 26. The Marvel star will present the inaugural Busan Awards to winners of the festival's new competitive section, marking a historic milestone as BIFF transitions to competitive status after operating as a non-competitive event for 29 years.

Kim's hosting role creates perfect bookends for the festival's landmark 30th edition, with veteran actor Lee Byung-hun set to host the opening ceremony. The prestigious film festival will run from September 17-26 at the Busan Cinema Center and various venues throughout the city. This year's edition will showcase approximately 240 films, representing an increase from the 224 films screened last year.

Known by her Korean name Soo-hyun, Kim made history as the first Korean actor to appear in a Marvel film with her role in "Avengers: Age of Ultron" in 2015. Since then, she has successfully built a dual-track career that spans both Hollywood blockbusters and Korean productions. Her Hollywood credits include notable films such as "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" (2018) and "The Dark Tower" (2017), while her recent Korean work features Netflix's popular series "Gyeongseong Creature" (2023-2024) and "The Atypical Family" (2024).

The 40-year-old actress's talent has been recognized with prestigious awards, including her best supporting actress win at the 2025 Baeksang Arts Awards for her performance in the Disney film "A Normal Family." Kim's unique background includes six years of childhood spent in the United States, and she studied international relations at Ewha Womans University before transitioning to the entertainment industry after winning a modeling competition in 2005.

Festival organizers specifically highlighted Kim's qualifications for the role, praising her "elegant presence and depth on screen" as well as her fluent command of English. They noted her exceptional ability to bridge Korean and global cinema, making her an ideal choice for the international audience that attends BIFF. Kim will make history as only the second woman to helm a ceremony alone at the festival, following Park Eun-bin's successful solo hosting debut in 2023.