"Snail Discovered While Walking with Kim Min-hee" Hong Sang-soo's Touching Acceptance Speech

Director Hong Sangsoo, who won the Best Screenplay Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, sent the festival a snail video featuring the singing voice of his partner Kim Minhee. Photo by Berlin International Film Festival website capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] Director Hong Sangsoo, who won the Best Screenplay Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, shared his acceptance speech along with a snail video featuring the singing voice of his partner Kim Minhee.

On the 5th (local time), the Berlin International Film Festival was held online due to the impact of COVID-19. Director Hong posted his acceptance speech in writing on the festival's official website, saying, "Greetings from Korea. I am surprised and happy to hear the news of the award."

Director Hong, who gave his acceptance speech in English, also uploaded a snail video he personally filmed.

The video shows a snail crawling, accompanied by Kim Minhee singing Doris Day's "Que Sera Sera."

Director Hong won the Silver Bear for Best Screenplay at the 71st Berlin International Film Festival, which closed that day, for his 25th feature film "Introduction." This marks the third Silver Bear award for Hong's films, following actress Kim Minhee's Silver Bear for Best Actress for "On the Beach at Night Alone" (2017) and the Silver Bear for Best Director for "The Woman Who Ran" last year.

※Full translation of Director Hong Sangsoo's acceptance speech at the Berlin International Film Festival

Hello. This is Hong Sangsoo. Greetings from Korea.

I was surprised and happy to hear the news of receiving the Silver Bear.

I express my gratitude for the jury's appreciation of the film.

I was happy reading the jury's statement. I also want to thank the Berlin Film Festival, Carlo, and Mark for the invitation.

A long time ago, while walking around my residence with Kim Minhee, I discovered this little snail.

I wanted to show you this snail as a small gift.

These are difficult times.

Please take care of your health. Take good care of yourselves.