Song Kang-ho Talks 'Unseen Trust' with 'Parasite' Director Bong Joon-ho

South Korean films have witnessed a remarkable, envious glare from their peers across the sea in the past decade. Modern classics such as Snowpiercer and Memories of Murder have made their mark, but no film is yet to surpass the effect that Parasite had on the Unites States’ audience. The common thread between each masterpiece is an enduring, fruitful collaboration between two of the country’s most cinematically talented figures, Song Kang-ho and Bong Joon-ho.

The culmination of their collaboration came in 2018, when Parasite made history as the first South Korean picture to receive Academy Award recognition and the first non-English-language film to win Best Picture. But Song’s honors are still rolling in, with the 56-year-old actor embarking upon an in-person retrospective series at the Academy Museum from Dec. 7 to 10 with select screenings through Jan. 13.

On the bill are Parasite, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Memories of Murder, and Secret Sunshine, all being explored and enjoyed as part of the event. Before he touched down in the Golden State, Los Angeles magazine had the chance to speak to Song ahead of his upcoming panels.

Los Angeles: It's been 20 years since the release of Memories of Murder. What does that film mean to you in your life and career?

Song Kang-ho: First of all, it's meaningful because it was my first work with director Bong. And I would say second of all, it was one of my works that made a very big impact to the Korean audience in the film industry.

Looking back, did you expect it to have the impact that it did and for it to become the internationally acclaimed picture that is today?

I had already known about director Bong’s artistic talent and filming it with them I got to know more about him in depth—especially about his artistry. But, I did not expect it to be loved so much not only in Korea but internationally.

It seems you and Bong Joon-ho have gone on to form this incredibly strong relationship within film. What is your relationship like off the set?

After meeting him [in ‘97] when he was an assistant director, we've been making films together for 20 years and I think there's this unseen trust in our relationship. And it's not like I've bribed him for any roles or anything! It's just that we have this very trustworthy and strong relationship between each other.

Korean films have become quite popular amongst American audiences in the past decade or so. Why do you think that is?

Alongside director Bong, in Korea I believe there are many creative directors and many artists. We are a very dramatic and dynamic society where we try to endlessly produce, create, [and] strive for more film and content. Also, I believe that many efforts from many artists has been able to enable this love for Korean films and after Parasite, the younger generation is also trying to keep up by producing and creating good content.

I am very proud and happy that Korean films are receiving a lot of love and spotlight, but I hope this interest grows and welcomes more diverse Korean films. The criteria is not only for these films to have won an Oscar or a very important international award. So, I hope the audiences or viewers have an open heart to other diverse Korean content.

What are you looking forward to most about visiting Los Angeles and speaking at the Academy Museum?

Personally, I think this is a really great honor. I believe not all my work is great but I think it's still a great honor that the Academy Museum is having this film program and I'm looking forward to it. At the same time, I'm quite anxious, but excited to meet the audience with my work.

Interview translated by Jennifer Kweon