'Parasite' director Bong Joon-ho joins livestream to celebrate Son Heung-min’s Europa League win

Filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, center in a green button-up shirt, celebrates Son Heung-min’s Tottenham Hotspur beating Manchester United to win the Europa League on the Dalsu Live YouTube channel, Thursday. Captured from Dalsu Live

Filmmaker Bong Joon-ho, best known for his 2019 Oscar-winning movie “Parasite,” brought his signature enthusiasm to the world of football, joining a live broadcast to cheer on Korean footballer Son Heung-min and his team, Tottenham Hotspur, as they won the UEFA Europa League title on Thursday.

Tottenham ended their 17-year title drought with a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the Europa League final at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain. The decisive moment came in the 42nd minute, when Brennan Johnson scored.

The 55-year-old filmmaker, who had pledged earlier this year to join a live commentary if Tottenham reached the final, fulfilled his promise by appearing on football commentator Park Moon-sung’s YouTube channel Dalsu Live. Comedian Kim Shin-young, who made her big screen debut through director Park Chan-wook’s 2022 film “Decision to Leave,” also attended the broadcasting.

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, center, raises the trophy as he celebrates with teammates after winning the UEFA Europa League final football match against Manchester United at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday (local time). AFP-Yonhap

Despite having slept only three hours before the match, which kicked off at 4 a.m. Korea time, Bong’s passion was clear from the start. When Son began the match on the bench, Bong predicted, “I expect Son to come on in the second half.” His forecast proved accurate, as Son was substituted in during the 67th minute.

The director also predicted that Tottenham would win. His prediction was accurate as Johnson found the net. Right after the Tottenham goal, Bong lifted a whiskey bottle in celebration, exclaiming, “What a scrappy goal!”

For Son, the night marked his first major trophy with Tottenham since joining the club in 2015.

“This has become an unforgettable memory for me. I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life,” Bong said after the final whistle.

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min celebrates after winning the UEFA Europa League final football match between Tottenham and Manchester United at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, Wednesday (local time). Reuters-Yonhap

Commentator Park later shared that Bong had promised to return for another live broadcast if Tottenham reaches the Champions League round of 16 next season.

Bong’s love for football is well known, with the director often referencing the sport in interviews and even weaving subtle tributes into his films. He is known as a fan of Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City in the Premier League. Bong once said that if he could be reborn as a clone, like in his recent film “Mickey 17,” he would want to become an attacking midfielder.