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A promotional image for the TV series "Snowpiercer," an adaptation of Bong Joon-ho's film of the same name that’s expected to air in May. (TNT website)

First a Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, then best picture at the Academy Awards. Could Bong Joon-ho’s demolition of the “one-inch barrier” (of subtitles) now be headed for an Emmy? Two miniseries based on the director’s films are being developed in the US this year.

“Snowpiercer,” a series based on the 2013 film of the same name -- Bong's first effort with a US production company -- is scheduled to premiere on the US cable network TNT at 9 pm on May 31. On Feb. 1, TNT published on its website that it would be presenting the post-apocalyptic sci fi series “Snowpiercer.” It was originally selected for regular programming after a pilot in November 2016, but amid delays due to factors including the writer’s departure and a change in networks, it was finally completed early this year. Also taking part is director Park Chan-wook, who handled production for the original film alongside Bong.

A scene from the series "Snowpiercer"

Set in a world that has frozen over after a climate catastrophe, “Snowpiercer” focuses on the story of an endlessly traveling train carrying the survivors. With the divisions between its front and rear cars within the limited space, it is an encapsulation of the contemporary world and its class-based and social conflicts.

While the image projected by the protagonist was less powerful in the trailer unveiled by TNT in January, it featured eye-catching colors that were brighter than the film’s. The role so strikingly performed by Tilda Swinton in the film is now played by Jennifer Connelly, while rapper/actor Daveed Diggs takes over the Song Kang-ho role. TNT also shared that production of a second season is already under way. The series is to be made available on Netflix as well.

“Parasite” is also coming to audiences in miniseries form. The US cable network HBO has purchased the rights to produce a TV series version. The network is known among South Korean audiences for series such as “Game of Thrones” and “Chernobyl.” Director Adam McKay, whose films include “The Big Short,” is taking part as a producer alongside Bong Joon-ho. The production is only now getting started, but interest is even higher now after “Parasite” claimed four Oscars. Different accounts on the “Parasite” series have already been shared, with the US entertainment site Collider writing on Feb. 10 that Mark Ruffalo was “being eyed” for the Song Kang-ho part.

A scene from Bong’s film “Parasite”

The development of “Snowpiercer” and “Parasite” into TV series will also allow them to reveal the hidden backstories not addressed in the film. In particular, Bong has been suggesting different ideas for “Parasite.” In an interview with the US entertainment press following the Screen Actors Guild Awards on Jan. 19, he said, “With cinema, you’re limited to a two-hour running time. [. . .] I really wanted to explore [some] ideas freely with a five- or six-hour film.”

“For example, when the original housekeeper Mun Gwang [played by Lee Jung-eun] comes back late at night, something happened to her face. Even her husband asked about it, but she never answered,” he explained. “I know why she had the bruises on her face. I have a story for that.” His remarks suggest the series could focus on the relationship among Da-hye (Jung Ji-so), Min-hyuk (Park Seo-joon), and Yeon-gyo (Cho Yeo-jeong) and the story behind how Mun-gwang finds out about Namgung Hyeon-ja’s bunker.

Could we be seeing Bong Joon-ho again at the Emmys in the not-too-distant future? The idea is already stirring up new anticipation.

By Nam Ji-eun, staff reporter

Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]