I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
'Parasite' proves power of cinema
Actress Jo Yeo-jeong said she was overwhelmed when Parasite won four Oscars, noting she was so proud of being part of the movie. / Yonhap
By Kang Hyun-kyung
By Kang Hyun-kyung
The Oscar-winning film “Parasite” doesn't have any clashing heroes or villains, which makes it easier for audiences sympathize with each and every character.
Han Jin-won, a screenwriter who, together with director Bong Joon-jo, won the Best Original Screenplay Award at the 92nd Academy Awards last Monday, said he believes these traits enabled overseas movie fans to easily follow the plot of the Korean film.
“The movie broke a dichotomy of the clashes between good and bad. Audiences find it easier to follow each character and each side of the story is more convincing,” he said during a news conference at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday.
Han said the entire filmmaking process was enjoyable because his shared background with certain characters enabled him to sympathize with them.
“I myself was born into a working-class family. So I was closer to Ki-woo. To me, Mr. Park's luxury house was a sort of fantasy,” he said.
Han made the remarks when asked why he thought the Korean movie was able to have captivated foreign movie fans despite cultural differences and language barriers.
Like other actors, Lee Jeong-eun said she was honored to have been part of such a hugely successful movie.
She said she felt director Bong's popularity in the United States was much more than what she had initially imagined. Lee, who saw success late in her life after appearing in a few hit movies and TV series, said “Parasite” is a well-made, realistic movie and this partly explains how it was able to strike a chord with movie fans in North America and Europe.
“At Cannes, for example, we saw many films that were nominated for awards there. There were only a few films highlighting contemporary issues like “Parasite” did. I think this may explain why the movie was so popular and successful overseas,” she said.
Actor Lee Sun-kyon said joining the “Parasite” team at the Oscars was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for him.
“I felt thrilled,” he said. “I became emotional and thought that the Oscars had gone too far, in a positive sense, after we won four awards there.”
Actress Jo Yeo-jeong said she was overwhelmed when Parasite won four Oscars, noting she was so proud of being part of the movie.
“I realized that a well-made movie unites us,” she said.
The press conference was held to commemorate the Korean film's unprecedented victory at Oscars as director Bong and all actors and staff returned home after wrapping up their busy schedules in Hollywood.
Lim Se-jin, production designer who was nominated for Best Production Design at the Oscars, took advantage of the press conference to deliver the message he had planned in case he won the award. He said he wanted to say thanks to director Bong, noting he'd realized that he hadn't made any reference to the director in his previous acceptance speeches in Korea.
“I was also going to express my gratitude to the actors and staff for their hard work. I owe a lot to my wife and son as well,” he replied when asked to unveil what he would have said.