4th Dadaepo Sunset Film Festival

August 14–16: Three Days When Dadaepo’s Sunset Becomes the Screen

The 4th Dadaepo Sunset Film Festival will be held from Friday, August 14, 2026, to Sunday, August 16, in and around Dadaepo Beach at 14 Molundae 1-gil, Saha-gu, Busan. As a local film and culture festival that brings together sunsets, the beach, and outdoor screens, it seems that waiting for a film while looking out at the sea could feel like the opening scene of a movie. The festival is hosted by the Saha-gu District Office and the Dadaepo Sunset Film Festival Organizing Committee, and organized by the Korean Film Directors Association and the Busan Ilbo. About the Dadaepo Sunset Film Festival

• The eve-of-festival event on August 14 features the short-film competition awards ceremony at 18:00, screenings of the winning films at 18:30, a talk concert (GV) at 19:00, and the invited film <Smugglers> at 19:30.
• Novelbrain will perform on the main stage from 21:30 to 22:00 on August 14.
• On August 15, the program includes a dance competition and random play dance from 13:00 to 17:00, an Ali performance at 17:30, a red carpet at 18:00, the official opening ceremony at 18:30, the opening film <Hansan: Rising Dragon> at 19:30, and a Seongri performance at 21:30.
• On August 16, the program includes a music competition from 13:00 to 17:00, a talk concert (GV) at 18:30, the closing film <Firefighters> at 19:00, and a Lin performance from 21:00 to 21:30.

Rather than planning an itinerary focused only on watching films, the location of Dadaepo may remain more vivid if you structure the day around walking along the beach as the sun lowers, passing the red carpet and performances, and then sitting in front of the screen. The screening times and stage order for the three films are listed in the 2026 Official Program.

A Film Walk Beginning at Exit 4 of Dadaepo Beach Station on Line 1

If you are traveling with foreign friends, the simplest route is to get off at Exit 4 of Dadaepo Beach Station on Busan Metro Line 1 and allow 10 minutes to walk. Since the beach address is 14 Molundae 1-gil, it is a good idea to save both “Dadaepo Beach” and “Dadaepo Beach” on your map. Visit Busan Guide to Dadaepo

The official name is also displayed in English as “Dadaepo Sunset Film Festival,” but the currently published schedule does not specify whether English signs, English subtitles, or interpretation services will be available on site. It was therefore convenient to save key terms such as film titles, screening times, “red carpet,” and “GV” on a phone in advance so that everyone could coordinate their route. The schedule also does not state the admission fee or whether Dadaepo food stalls accept cash, cards, or mobile payments. The Dadaepo food stalls on the beach are scheduled to operate daily from 17:00 to 22:00.

• The Youth Flea Market at Lawn Plaza 1 runs from 13:00 to 22:00, beginning at 16:00 on Friday, August 14.
• The outdoor mini-theater at Lawn Plaza 2 presents animations and entertainment films from 14:00 to 18:00, and operates from 16:00 on Friday.
• Busking at Central Plaza takes place from 13:00 to 17:00 on August 15–16, with four teams performing each day.
• At Sunset Fountain, a fountain playground operates from 14:00 to 17:00, making it a good place to spend the afternoon before the main stage program.

The beach park has foot-washing stations, showers, parking, a lawn plaza, and an ecological walking trail. Since screenings continue until 22:00 on some days, I recommend bringing a light jacket, a small mat to place on the sand, and a water bottle. Saha-gu Guide to Dadaepo Beach

Tips for Watching the Special Stage, Informed by the 1,700-Seat Record in 2025

If you want to see the red carpet and GV close to the stage, it is best to arrive early. More than 75,000 people attended the 3rd festival, held from August 8 to 10, 2025, and the outdoor beach seating had approximately 1,700 seats. This year’s red carpet also begins at 18:00 on August 15, while the Dadaepo beach food stalls open at 17:00, so arriving around 17:00 and deciding on your seating and dining route first should make the experience more relaxed. Saha-gu Newsletter’s 2025 Festival Record

If the crowds at the special stage feel overwhelming, another option is to watch the live broadcast of the special-stage program taking place at Lawn Plaza 2 from 18:00 to 22:00. Rather than insisting on a view directly in front of the main stage, it was more comfortable to visit the outdoor mini-theater and flea market before the film began, then move over just before the screening.

Facilities such as foot-washing stations, showers, and parking are available at the beach park, but operating hours and the number of available parking spaces during the festival have not been announced separately. If you bring a car, relying solely on the parking lot may be less convenient than using Dadaepo Beach Station on Line 1, which also makes the route home around 22:00 simpler.

Meeting Hansan: Rising Dragon, Smugglers, and Firefighters by the Sea at the 4th Festival

This festival should suit travelers who enjoy Korean films, travelers who want to take their time exploring Busan’s western beaches, and friends curious about outdoor viewing accompanied by wind and waves rather than the atmosphere of a large cinema. <Smugglers> screens on August 14, <Hansan: Rising Dragon> on August 15, and <Firefighters> on August 16, so you can choose just one day according to your interests. If you attend all three days, it should be fun to see how the atmosphere of the films, performances, and community stages changes little by little.

For me, Dadaepo’s appeal is that you do not have to consume the destination quickly. As the lights of the Dadaepo food stalls come on in time with the setting sun, the screen brightens, and the sea recedes into the darkness after the performances, following that sequence should bring a gentle close to a day of traveling in Busan.