Four years after making history with Parasite, director Bong Joon-ho continues to be one of the most fascinating voices in world cinema. In a wide-ranging conversation, the South Korean filmmaker discusses the aftermath of his unprecedented Oscar triumph, his creative process, and his belief in cinema as a universal language.
Life After Parasite
“Parasite changed everything and nothing,” Bong says through an interpreter, though his English is considerably better than he lets on. “The external circumstances of my career changed dramatically, of course. But my approach to filmmaking, my obsessions, my desire to tell stories that reflect the world I see, those things remain exactly the same.”
He acknowledges that the weight of expectations following Parasite’s historic Best Picture win has been significant. “There is pressure, certainly. But I have learned that the only way to deal with that pressure is to ignore it completely and focus on the work. If I thought about expectations while writing, I would never write another word.”
The Creative Process
Bong’s creative process is distinctive. He storyboards extensively, drawing every shot by hand before production begins. “The storyboard is where the film is really made,” he explains. “By the time I arrive on set, I know exactly what I want. That does not mean I am inflexible, accidents and discoveries on set are valuable, but the foundation is solid.”
He also discusses his approach to genre, which has always been fluid. “I do not think in terms of genre when I am writing. I think in terms of emotion, situation, and character. If the story naturally moves from comedy to thriller to horror, I follow it. Genre boundaries are useful for marketing but irrelevant to storytelling.”
Cinema Without Borders
“The one-inch barrier of subtitles that I spoke about at the Golden Globes has continued to erode,” Bong observes with satisfaction. “Audiences everywhere are discovering that great stories can come from anywhere. That is not just good for Korean cinema or international cinema, it is good for cinema itself.”
He reveals that his next project is well into development and will be something audiences do not expect. The mischievous smile that accompanies this revelation suggests that Bong Joon-ho still has plenty of surprises in store.
