[Comprehensive] "Truly Unbelievable" Quotes from Bong Joon-ho, Song Kang-ho, Jo Yeo-jeong, and Others of 'Parasite'

'Parasite' Wins 4 Oscars in 2020: Best Picture, Director, International Feature Film, and Screenplay
Bong Joon-ho "Truly Unbelievable"... Song Kang-ho "Thank You to Korean Movie Fans"
President Moon Jae-in "Director Bong Joon-ho, Already Curious About Your 'Next Plan'"

On the 9th (local time), Bong Joon-ho of Parasite, which won four awards including Best Picture, Director, Screenplay, and International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards, posed holding the trophy at a press conference held at The London West Hollywood in Los Angeles, USA. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seung-gon Han] Director Bong Joon-ho's film Parasite won four major awards at the 92nd Academy Awards on the 10th, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best International Feature Film, and Best Original Screenplay. Director Bong candidly shared his feelings upon receiving the awards in interviews with local media. The actors also expressed disbelief, saying, "Is this a hidden camera?"

This is the first time a Korean film has been nominated at the Academy Awards. Moreover, it is the first time in the 92-year history of the Oscars that a foreign-language film has won Best Picture.

Director Bong, who made history, told the American entertainment media outlet E! News in an interview, "The trophies are heavy, and there are many of them. I really can't believe it," expressing his feelings after holding four trophies.

When asked which trophy surprised him the most, Bong replied, "I was greatly surprised when I won Best Director, but when Best Picture was announced, I actually became numb. It felt like I was in a daze."

When the interviewer mentioned Bong's acceptance speech remark, "I'm ready to drink until tomorrow morning," and asked if he had started drinking, Bong answered, "About 10 minutes ago, someone gave me tequila. So I drank a little, but I'm still okay."

The Korean film academy (Oscar) submission 'Parasite' has been nominated in a total of six categories, including the Academy Award's highest honor, Best Picture, as well as Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, and Best International Feature Film.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Song Kang-ho: "Thank you to all the movie fans of the Republic of Korea"

Not only Director Bong's award but also interviews with the actors of Parasite attracted attention. Actress Jo Yeo-jeong could not hide her joy, saying, "I think this is a hidden camera."

Actor Song Kang-ho said, "I thank all the many fans who have endlessly supported us, and all the movie fans of the Republic of Korea who cheered us on while watching the Oscar ceremony broadcast on TV."

Park So-dam, who gave a memorable performance by singing a rewritten version of "Dokdo is Our Land" to memorize the profile of the fictional character 'Jessica' before the Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik) siblings rang the doorbell at Mr. Park's house, said, "I still feel like I'm dreaming. Tonight, I want to fully experience it by looking up many articles and Instagram posts. I probably won't be able to sleep. Thank you."

Photo by Parasite movie still cut

Choi Woo-shik said, "There is a line in the script where Ki-woo says, 'It wasn't originally planned.' I am so happy because of this unexpected big event. The director and my father worked very hard. I am grateful."

Producer Kwak Shin-ae of Barunson E&A expressed her overwhelming emotions right after the Best Picture announcement, saying, "This is something I never imagined. I am truly happy. I think this is a very timely and symbolic result. I express my respect and gratitude to the Academy members."

CJ Vice Chairman Lee Mi-kyung said, "I am truly thankful to Director Bong Joon-ho. I respect his sense of humor. I thank everyone who loved, supported, and backed Parasite. Especially, I am very grateful to Korean audiences."

Writer Han Jin-won said, "I thank Director Bong Joon-ho, my father, and mother. Just as Hollywood exists in the U.S., Chungmuro exists in Korea. I want to dedicate this award to all filmmakers in Chungmuro."

President Moon Jae-in is applauding director Bong Joon-ho and the film "Parasite" team, who won Best Screenplay, International Film Award, Best Director, and Best Picture at the Academy Awards, before the senior secretaries and aides meeting held at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ President Moon Jae-in: "Director Bong Joon-ho, we are already curious about your 'next plan'"

Congratulations poured in from all walks of life following the news of Parasite's wins. President Moon Jae-in congratulated the film's four major wins at the 92nd Academy Awards, saying, "Director Bong Joon-ho, actors, and staff, we are already curious about your 'next plan,'" leaving a message of congratulations and encouragement.

On the 10th, President Moon posted on his Facebook and other social media, "I am proud of Director Bong Joon-ho, the actors, and the staff. I especially thank them for giving pride and courage to the people who are overcoming difficulties together."

Photo by Harry Harris, U.S. Ambassador to Korea, Twitter

Additionally, Harry Harris, U.S. Ambassador to Korea, tweeted in the morning about Parasite's Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, saying, "Congratulations to Director Bong Joon-ho for winning the first Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for a Korean film. We look forward to more awards."

He explained, "My colleagues at the embassy and I are enjoying an Oscar viewing party while eating 'Jjapaguri'." Jjapaguri is a dish made by mixing Chapagetti and Neoguri instant noodles, featured in the film Parasite where actress Jo Yeo-jeong (playing Yeon-kyo) cooks it with Korean beef.

Stars in the entertainment industry also sent congratulatory messages via their social media. Actor Park Seo-joon posted a video watching the 'Academy Awards' live broadcast, exclaiming, "Crazy..."

Gong Hyo-jin also expressed joy by shouting, "Hooray!!" Girls' Day alumna Lee Hye-ri congratulated, saying, "Just moved. Moved. Moved. Moved."

Jung Ryeo-won shared a Parasite poster and said, "So excited >_< Watching this prosecutor win at the Academy Awards. Truly amazing. Congratulations to Director Bong Joon-ho and all the staff and actors. (I might end up drinking until morning too because of this)"

▲ Below are the winners of the 2020 Academy Awards

Best Picture: Parasite (Director Bong Joon-ho)

Best Director: Bong Joon-ho for Parasite

Best International Feature Film: Parasite (Director Bong Joon-ho)

Best Actor: Joaquin Phoenix for Joker

Best Actress: Ren?e Zellweger for Judy

Best Supporting Actor: Brad Pitt for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Supporting Actress: Laura Dern for Marriage Story

Best Original Screenplay: Bong Joon-ho and Han Jin-won for Parasite

Best Adapted Screenplay: Taika Waititi for Jojo Rabbit

Best Cinematography: Roger Deakins for 1917

Best Film Editing: Michael McCusker and Andrew Buckland for Ford v Ferrari

Best Animated Feature Film: Toy Story 4 (Director Josh Cooley)

Best Animated Short Film: Hair Love (Matthew A. Cherry, Bruce W. Smith, Everett Downing Jr.)

Best Live Action Short Film: The Neighbors' Window (Director Marshall Curry)

Best Production Design: Barbara Ling and Nancy Haigh for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood

Best Costume Design: Jacqueline Durran for Little Women

Best Documentary Feature: American Factory (Steven Bognar, Julia Reichert, Jeff Reichert)

Best Documentary Short Subject: Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) (Carol Dysinger, Elena Andreicheva)

Best Sound Editing: Donald Sylvester for Ford v Ferrari

Best Sound Mixing: Mark Taylor and Stuart Wilson for 1917

Best Visual Effects: Guillaume Rocheron, Greg Butler, Dominic Tuohy for 1917

Best Makeup and Hairstyling: Tsuji Kazuhiro, Anne Morgan, Vivian Baker for Bombshell

Best Original Score: Hildur Guðnad?ttir for Joker

Best Original Song: Bernie Taupin and Elton John for Rocketman