[The Editors' Verdict] The Political Sphere Shamelessly Riding the Bong Joon-ho Syndrome

[Asia Economy Deputy Director Jung Wanju and Political Chief] Since the news broke that director Bong Joon-ho won four awards at the 92nd Academy Awards, an unintentional 'black comedy' has been unfolding in the political sphere.

As is well known, Director Bong was a person of interest listed on the cultural blacklist during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations. Looking back now, the reasons are truly disheartening. "Memories of Murder" was criticized for its negative depiction of corrupt public officials, "The Host" was accused of inciting anti-American sentiment and promoting leftist consciousness among the public. What about "Snowpiercer"? It was evaluated as denying market economy and encouraging resistance movements.

Perhaps because of this, the Liberty Korea Party did not issue any particular comment when Director Bong previously won the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. Although unclear why, they seemed unable to hide their uncomfortable view of Director Bong.

However, the Liberty Korea Party is now enthusiastic about the Bong Joon-ho syndrome. Unlike at Cannes, this time the party also sent congratulatory messages.

Park Yong-chan, spokesperson for the Liberty Korea Party, stated in a comment, "Culture is a national form shared by all citizens and an industry," adding, "Films and culture have the power to make both creators and consumers happy and to brighten and strengthen society as a whole." Reflecting on the blacklist incident, one cannot help but feel a profound sense of change. Of course, there was no apology regarding that matter.

Lawmakers from the Liberty Korea Party based in Daegu quickly jumped on the 'Bong Joon-ho marketing' bandwagon, as Director Bong's hometown is Daegu. Lawmaker Kang Hyo-sang declared plans to build the 'Bong Joon-ho Film Museum' to make Daegu a world-class film-themed tourism hub. Lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, who served as senior secretary for civil affairs under the Park Geun-hye administration, also announced plans to expand cultural facilities such as cinemas in Nam-gu, Daegu.

Lawmakers Kang and Kwak were members of the ruling party at the time who witnessed Vice Chairwoman Lee Mi-kyung of CJ Group being blacklisted and stepping down from management. Their opportunistic ride on the Bong Joon-ho marketing without a single word of apology to Director Bong and Vice Chairwoman Lee is unsightly.

In particular, Lawmaker Kang said, "If it were not for CJ Group's support, would such an achievement have been possible today? It makes one think again." This is the pinnacle of black comedy.

Although overshadowed by Director Bong, actor Joaquin Phoenix’s acceptance speech for Best Actor at this Academy Awards resonates deeply. Upon receiving the trophy, he said, "Instead of erasing each other because of past mistakes, it is time to help each other grow." This means that reflection on past mistakes or errors is necessary for progress.

Everyone remembers the sinister conspiracy of the blacklist, but the political sphere’s behavior seems to have wiped those memories away as if disinfected with antiseptic. Are uncomfortable memories of the past unable to overcome even a one-inch barrier?

The ruling party, the Democratic Party of Korea, also has no reason to simply cheer. How can it escape responsibility for the polarization and class stratification of Korean society depicted in "Parasite"?

Especially when reflecting on the 'Cho Kuk incident,' it is only recently that the progressive camp suffered backlash after trying to ignore the reality that it had become an entrenched vested interest. Forgetting the harsh criticism aimed at the ruling party regarding 'fairness,' they have no right to ride the Bong Joon-ho syndrome simply because they were not the main culprits of the blacklist. The absurdities depicted in "Parasite" target the current ruling party. The ruling party must also follow with sincere reflection.

Foreign media, while covering the Bong Joon-ho syndrome phenomenon, have been focusing on Korea’s semi-basement housing and the recipe for "Jjapaguri" (a mix of Jjapaghetti and Neoguri). Fortunately(?), the blacklist incident involving Bong Joon-ho, Song Kang-ho, and Lee Mi-kyung has not been widely reexamined yet. Although one of the questions Bong received in a foreign media interview after winning the Palme d'Or was about the blacklist incident.