Actor Byeon Woo-seok celebrated his 34th birthday in a truly meaningful way — not with a lavish party, but by giving back to the film community. And his fans joined him.
On October 31, the independent cinema Indie Space announced that Byeon Woo-seok’s fan club, “Uhaengdan: Woo-seok’s Happiness Squad,” donated 2 million won to the theater’s “Sharing Seat” sponsorship program in honor of the actor’s birthday. As part of the donation, a seat inside the theater will now carry a plaque engraved with “Actor Byeon Woo-seok.”
According to the fan community, the idea came after learning that Byeon Woo-seok himself had supported the Seoul Independent Film Festival’s independent film production project earlier this year. “We were inspired by his sincerity and wanted to join in his effort to support the meaningful value of independent cinema,” the fans explained. “So we decided to participate in Indie Space’s sharing seat sponsorship on his birthday.”
To commemorate the donation, Indie Space will host a special screening of Byeon Woo-seok’s film ‘Soulmate’ (2023, directed by Min Yong-geun) on Sunday, November 16 at 1:30 p.m. In the film, Byeon Woo-seok plays Jin-woo, a loyal friend who stays by Mi-so and Ha-eun through years of friendship, separation, and reunion — adding emotional depth and warmth to the story.
The special screening is expected to be a memorable occasion for fans who wish to celebrate the actor’s birthday in a meaningful way. Both the fan-led donation and Indie Space’s event are being praised for spreading positive influence not only within the independent film community but also throughout the Korean film industry.
Founded in 2007, Indie Space is South Korea’s first privately operated cinema dedicated to independent films. Through premieres, special screenings, and festivals, it has long served as a key platform for Korean indie filmmakers. The “Sharing Seat” program allows donors contributing over 2 million won to have their names — or those of their loved ones — engraved on a seat, symbolizing continuous support for independent film culture.