South Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s ‘Parasite’ was awarded the most-coveted Palme d’Or at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first South Korean fim to receive the honor.

Not only did the award help Bong earn an international recognition as a master in cinematic arts and advance the global reputation of South Korea’s film industry, it also led to South Korean movies joining the ranks of the country’s dramas and K-pop in the so-called Korean Wave.

It was the first time in seven years that a South Korean film won the highest award at one of the three major international film festivals: Cannes, Berlin and Venice, since South Korean director Kim Ki-duk’s ‘Pieta’ was awarded the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival in 2012.

‘Parasite’ is a black comedy revolving around the story of two families that intertwine and addresses the universal phenomenon of the gap between the rich and the poor. The film is considered to have garnered sympathy from the global audience by presenting the universal issue with a touch of Korean sensibility.

‘Parasite’ attracted more than ten million domestic moviegoers and was showered with praises from both critics and the audience when released in North America, becoming the most commercially-successful foreign language film in North America this year.

The film has been nominated for best director, best screenplay and best foreign film at next year’s Golden Globe Awards and was shortlisted for international feature film and original song at the 92nd Academy Awards, raising expectations for the possibility of a first-ever Oscar win for a South Korean film.

Photo : KBS News

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