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South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-ho accepts the prize for best film at the 2020 Academy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 9. (Yonhap News)

Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” became the first South Korean film to win the “big four” Oscars, including best director and best film, at the 2020 Academy Awards on Feb. 9.

“Parasite” took home the prizes for best director, best screenplay, best international film, and best film, the Oscars’ highest honor, at the 92nd Academy Awards Hollywood’s Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.

This was the first instance of a non-English language film winning both the awards for best film and best director. It was also the first instance of the same film winning best foreign film and best film. “Parasite” also became the second Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or winner to also win the Oscar for best film after “Marty” in 1956.

In the 101 years of South Korea’s cinematic history, this is the first time a film has won all four of the Oscar prizes.

Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” made history at the 2020 Academy Awards on Feb. 9. The film took home best screenplay, best director, best international film, and best picture, becoming the first foreign language film to win the Oscar for best film. After Shin Sang-ok’s “Mother and a Guest” in 1961, South Korean films have been consistently mentioned for best foreign film, but all failed to be nominated. Although “Parasite” took home the Oscars’ big four, it was nominated in six categories: best film, best director, best screenplay, best editing, best production design, and best foreign film.

By Suh Jung-min, music correspondent

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