The third day of the 2025 International Streaming Festival, co-hosted by the Korea International Streaming Festival (co-chairs KIM Bok Keun and KIM Seongcheol) and the National IT Industry Promotion Agency (NIPA), reached its peak with packed programs and global participation.
Launched on August 22, the International Streaming Festival is Korea’s only international event dedicated to streaming. Having expanded from its past as a side event of the Busan International Film Festival into a large-scale independent festival, it offers a forward-looking stage for the convergence of media, culture, and technology. The festival brings together both globally acclaimed works and titles rarely accessible to audiences, continuing its journey “To the World of Endless Imagination, and Infinite Streaming — KOREA is STREAMING.”
[Guest Visit]
On August 24, a special guest talk was held following the screening of Timeless Love Letters to My Classmates. Moderated by LEE Jong-yong, a committee member of the Korea International Streaming Festival, the session featured producer TODA Yosuke from telepack and producer YABE Masato from Yomiuri TV.
Producer TODA remarked: “Watching this together on the big screen reminded me of nostalgic elements similar to Korea’s Reply series.” Producer YABE added: “I never imagined that this story, filmed in rural Japan, would one day be shown to Korean audiences. To share this series with viewers worldwide through global streaming platforms is both astonishing and deeply moving.”
The screening of 4°C featured lead actor Berik AITZHANOV, alongside actor Kuat SADYKOV and producer Nurlim AIDINGALIYEV. AITZHANOV expressed his gratitude: “It is an honor to attend such a meaningful festival. This was my first time portraying a doctor—I prepared extensively through consultations, but if I had to become a real doctor, I don’t think I could do it,” he joked, drawing laughter.
Producer SADYKOV highlighted the social relevance of the work: “Organ donation is a pressing global issue. While many more donors are needed, Islamic tradition forbids cutting into the body after death, creating a significant conflict. We wanted to explore this dilemma through the story.”
One audience member commented after the screening: “No one else could have played this role but Berik. His performance felt so real, like an actual doctor, and I was deeply immersed in both the story and his acting.”
In the evening, the 2025 Global OTT Awards took place at the Outdoor Theater of the Busan Cinema Center, hosted by actor JOO Jong-hyuk and announcer LEE Hye-sung, bringing together film professionals from around the world. With thousands of audience members in attendance—demonstrating overwhelming enthusiasm—When Life Gives You Tangerines claimed the night’s biggest honor with three awards. The ceremony was further highlighted by appearances from leading actors PARK Eunbin, OH Jung-se, YEOM Hye-ran, KANG You-seok, CHUNG Su-bin, and LEE Su-hyun, alongside international stars including SAKAGUCHI Kentaro, Suri LIN, SHI Pengyuan, and BAI Jingting, all of whom lit up the stage and promised to return next year.
The festival continues through August 25 at the Busan Cinema Center and Paradise Hotel. For more details, visit the official website (https://www.kisf.kr/) and follow the festival’s official social media channels.
Winners List – 2025 Global OTT Awards (Competitive Categories)
• Best Creative: When Life Gives You Tangerines (Fan Entertainment, Baram Pictures, NETFLIX)
• Best OTT Original: Nine Puzzles (Disney+)
• Best Asian Contents: The Outlaw Doctor (PTS Taiwan, Chunghwa Telecom, GrX Studio)
• Best Reality & Variety: World of Street Woman Fighter (CJ ENM)
• Best Director: Northward (iQIYI) – YAO Xiaofeng
• Best Writer: When Life Gives You Tangerines (Fan Entertainment, Baram Pictures, NETFLIX) – IM Sang-chun
• Best Lead Actor (Male): What Comes After Love (Coupang Play) – SAKAGUCHI Kentaro
• Best Lead Actor (Female): Hyper Knife (Disney+) – PARK Eunbin
• Best Supporting Actor (Male): GOOD BOY (SLL) – OH Jung-se
• Best Supporting Actor (Female): When Life Gives You Tangerines (Fan Entertainment, Baram Pictures, NETFLIX) – YEOM Hye-ran
• Best Newcomer (Male): Resident Playbook (eggiscoming, tvN, TVING) – KANG You-seok
• Best Newcomer (Female): Friendly Rivalry (STUDIO X+U (LG U+)) – CHUNG Su-bin / Born for the Spotlight (Third Man Entertainment, Netflix) – Suri LIN
• Best Visual Effects: I Am Nobody: The Showdown Between Yin & Yang Season 2 (YOUKU)
• Best Original Song: Who Saw the Peacock Dance in the Jungle? (TBS) – “Elf” by Ado
• Innovation Story Award: Life Line (TVING)
• New Tech Award: BINGE Korea (NEW ID)
• Rising Star Awards: Family Matters (Coupang Play) – LEE Su-hyun / A Life for A Life (iQIYI) – SHI Pengyuan
• People’s Choice Awards: The First Frost (YOUKU) – BAI Jingting / Northward (iQIYI) – BAI Lu
[Official Social Media Channels of the International Streaming Festival]
YouTube(https://www.youtube.com/@k_streaming_festival)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/k_streaming_festival/)
Facebook(https://www.facebook.com/k.streaming.festival)
X (formerly Twitter) (https://x.com/k_streaming_f)
TikTok(https://www.tiktok.com/@k_streaming_festival)
International Streaming Festival 2025
○ NAME: International Streaming Festival 2025
○ DATE: August 22 (Fri) – August 25 (Mon), 2025 (4 days)
○ VENUE: Busan Cinema Center and surrounding areas (Haeundae-gu, Busan)
○ PROGRAM: Global OTT Awards, Investment Pitch Showcase, Media & Brand Day, OST Concert International Streaming(OTT·FAST) Summit, Series screenings
○ HOSTED BY: Ministry of Science and ICT, Busan Metropolitan City
○ ORGANIZED BY: Korea International Streaming Festival Committee, National IT Industry Promotion Agency(NIPA)