Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite', which won him an Oscar trophy, has set another remarkable record.
On the 27th, the New York Times (NYT) announced that Bong's masterpiece 'Parasite' was selected as No. 1 in its '100 Best Movies of the 21st Century'.
The NYT described 'Parasite' as "a masterwork of genre that is unbound by convention, where director Bong fluidly navigates between broad comedy and intense social satire, culminating in an explosion of inevitable tragic violence that burns everything down. That explosion is shocking yet inevitable."
It continued, "A story about 'the haves' and 'the have-nots', and a fierce critique of the horrors of neoliberalism, this delightful yet bizarre and unsettling film by Bong tells the story of a poor family transforming into a wealthy household. When this film was released, Bong was a popular star in the art film scene. By the end of the awards season, he swept numerous Oscars, including Best Picture, and a new superstar was born."
This ranking is based on a survey conducted by the NYT of 500 renowned directors, actors, producers, and enthusiasts regarding films released since January 1, 2000.
In addition to 'Parasite', Park Chan-wook's 2003 film 'Oldboy' ranked 43rd, and Bong Joon-ho's 2003 film 'Memories of Murder' ranked 99th, making a total of three Korean films in the top 100.
The NYT noted that the scene in 'Oldboy' where Choi Min-sik swings a hammer while covered in blood symbolizes the operatic violence of a twisted thriller. Regarding 'Memories of Murder', it analyzed that "Bong has a firm belief about the limits of humanity in the face of evil, exploring it in his unique way that mixes unexpected humor with sharp drama."
