Actor Lee Je-hoon will be unable to host Wednesday’s opening ceremony of the 28th Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) due to health issues.
According to media reports, Lee underwent emergency surgery after rushing to the hospital with severe abdominal pain on Sunday.
Company On said in a statement Monday that Lee was diagnosed with ischemic colitis, which occurs when blood flow to part of the large intestine is temporarily reduced.
“His surgery went well, Lee had to cancel hosting BIFF’s opening ceremony due to his condition,” Company On said.
Lee was to co-host the event with actor Park Eun-bin. Instead of looking for another male co-host last minute, the festival organizers said it decided to have Park host the show on her own.
Lee is known for his performances in “Bleak Night” (2011), “The Front Line” (2011) and “Architecture 101” (2012). He also starred in the TV series “Signal” (2016) as a criminal profiler.
The opening ceremony will begin with a red carpet event at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the BIFF Theater in the Busan Cinema Center.
BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]
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