Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-ho returns home to hero’s welcome

Film director Bong Joon-ho as he arrived at Incheon International Airport, Sunday. Yonhap via The Korea Herald/Asia News Network

SEOUL — South Korean film director Bong Joon-ho made a triumphant return home on Sunday after capturing four Oscar titles, including best picture for his black comedy thriller “Parasite.”

“Thanks to so many of you for greeting me, despite the cold weather,” Bong told hundreds of reporters, photographers and fans that were waiting for the director at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul. “I’m also so sorry for having bothered you many times since the Cannes Film Festival in May last year.”

The director, the winner of this year’s Cannes’ top award, the Palme d’Or, led the “Parasite” team’s promotional tour during the U.S. awards season starting last summer.

He has collected dozens of trophies from film critics associations and awards shows, including the Golden Globes and British Academy Film Awards.

“Parasite” won four titles — best picture, best director, best screenplay and best international feature, becoming the first non-English language film to win the Oscars’ grand prize in the 92-year history of the Academy Awards on Feb. 9.

“It was a long journey in the United States and I felt lighthearted as I wrapped it up,” he said. “Now I’m happy that I can quietly return to my original work of creating.”

He also appreciated the South Korean people’s efforts to cope with the novel coronavirus COVID-19. South Korea has reported 29 confirmed cases of the contagious virus as of Sunday.

“I would like send a round of applause back to all Koreans for dealing so well with the coronavirus,” he said. “I will join the effort to overcome the corona by washing my hands diligently.”

Bong will have a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday with film crew members, actors and actresses. (Yonhap)