K-Wave Fans Around The Globe Can Virtually Walk The Red Carpet With Celebrities At The 20th Busan International Film Festival Through Google Play Service
Google Play has made it possible for K-Wave fans to actively participate in the prestigious, highly-anticipated Busan International Film Festival (BIFF). Through an website called "Google Play Inside BIFF", fans can enjoy activities at the event without leaving the comfort of their homes.
Google Play, Android's digital content marketplace has launched the website inside.biff.kr where web users will a virtual tour of the opening ceremony of the 20th Busan International Film Festival.
The page resembles the street view technology used in Google Maps and Google Earth, providing panoramic views of the happenings at the opening ceremony which took place on Oct. 1.
Korea JoongAng Daily reports Monday, the glitz and glamour of the red carpet was replicated through high-definition pictures shot with 360-degree panoramic cameras.
Users can take a virtual trip down the red carpet and with the click of the mouse will be able to see the stars that attended the film festival. If a user spots someone interesting, say an idol, he can click on that person's face and a pop-up containing basic information such as filmography will be revealed.
"The opening ceremony can accommodate a limited number of people, and even if they get the ticket, the actors are only visible from a far distance," said Paul Kim, marketing and content head for Google Asia-Pacific.
"We wanted to create a virtual space where online users can actually feel as if they participated in the event and can see who was there," Kim added.
Film director Yoon Seong Ho commented Saturday during a press conference that the audience will have access to information beyond what the media feeds them.
"Now, the users can actively participate in the event in any way they wish," Yoon said.
Aside from the virtual tour, Google Play will also provide a live streaming service of the side events happening in different locations outside the main BIFF venues, including a discussion with French actress Sophie Marceau.
The Busan International Film Festival is celebrating its 20th year with a feast of movies from all across the world, the Los Angeles Times reports Oct. 2 . The list of movie premieres include the acclaimed Indian drama "Zubaan" and the Chinese film "Mountain Cry"
