LEAD) Star actress' death looms over S. Korea's largest film festival

((ATTN: TRIMS; UPDATES throughout)
BUSAN, Oct. 2 (Yonhap) -- The death of one of South Korea's most iconic actresses looms over the country's largest annual film festival, which begins its nine-day run late Thursday.

Choi Jin-sil, 40, was found dead by her mother early Thursday morning, after
apparently committing suicide due to rumors connecting her with the death of
another entertainer.
Given the weight of Choi's presence as a fixture on prime-time television dramas,
her apparent suicide came as a brutal shock to fans and colleagues.
"The news (of Choi's death) came so unexpectedly, and we are worried how it would
affect the festival," said an official at the Pusan International Film Festival
(PIFF), requesting anonymity.
"We are discussing now whether or not to express condolences during the film
festival," the official said.
Some of Asia's most celebrated stars were to gather at the opening ceremony. The
guest list, announced by the Pusan International Film Festival (PIFF), features
some of the biggest names in Korean, Japanese and Chinese cinema.
The 13th annual PIFF opens with the screening of Kazakh film "The Gift to
Stalin," tickets to which sold out in a record time of one and half minutes
through on-line sales.
"I heard that many actors and actresses intimate with Choi are in a state of
panic," the manager of a well-known Korean actress said. "My client is worried
she may break down on the red carpet. We are having second thoughts about
participating in the event."
ygkim@yna.co.kr