'It feels very surreal,' says Bong with four Oscars under his belt

Best Picture Award winners for "Parasite" onstage during the 92nd Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Monday (KST). Courtesy of A.M.P.A.S.

By Lee Gyu-lee

Director Bong Joon-ho has created history with his satirical thriller "Parasite," becoming the first Korean director to win four Oscars ― Best Director, Best Picture, Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Screenplay ― in the 92-year span of the Academy Awards.

"It still feels very surreal," Bong said during a backstage interview after the Oscars ceremony on Monday (KST). "I feel like something will hit me and I will wake up from this dream.

"I'm a strange person. So I did what I've always done with producer Kwak Sin-ae, co-writer Han Jin-won and with all my actors."

Mentioning his Golden Globe recipient speech in January about the one-inch subtitle barrier, he expressed high hopes that his latest win will open up more opportunities for foreign films in Hollywood.

"In the environment we live in, we are all connected," Bong said. "So I think naturally we will come to a day when a foreign-language film winning the honor will not be much of an issue.

"'Parasite,' which is a purely Korean film, has garnered more enthusiasm from audiences all over the world," he said, comparing it to his previous English-language film "Okja."

"This has made me think that the deeper I delve into things that are around me, the broader the story can become, appealing to international audiences."

Bong mentioned director Martin Scorsese in his speech to express how honored he felt among fellow nominees. "I've seen Scorsese lose this award multiple times and I was so frustrated for him back then, although he didn't know me," he said. "So to be nominated with him was a huge honor and it's hard to believe."

Here is a peek at Bong's glorious night at the Oscars:

"Parasite" director Bong Joon-ho excitedly accepts the Oscar for Best Picture during the Academy Awards ceremony. Capture from Twitter

Bong shows off two of his Oscars from the 92nd Academy Awards. Capture from Twitter

Bong Joon-ho with the Oscars for "Parasite" at the Governors Ball after the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, Monday (KST). Reuters-Yonhap

Since winning the title of the first Korean Palme d'Or at Cannes in May, "Parasite" has been invited to 57 film festivals and award events across the world, and collected 55 trophies.

The downright realistic yet cleverly knitted story of two economically polarized families was highly acclaimed by film critics and moviegoers around the world, grossing over $165 million in the worldwide box office.

Cast members from "Parasite" pose for a selfie on the red carpet at the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood. Reuters-Yonhap

Han Jin-won, left, and Bong Joon-ho, winner of Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, Best International Feature Film and Best Picture for "Parasite," appear backstage during the 92nd Academy Awards. UPI-Yonhap

Bong Joon-ho pictured backstage after the awards ceremony./ Capture from Twitter

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