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South Korean President Moon Jae-in delivers congratulatory remarks to filmmaker Bong Joon-ho during a Blue House luncheon with the cast of “Parasite” on Feb. 20. (Kim Jung-hyo, staff photographer)

“I will definitely support the flourishing of the film industry. But there will be no interference.”

South Korean President Moon Jae-in promised to provide “support” but “no interference” during a luncheon with the producers and cast of “Parasite,” who were invited to the Blue House on Feb. 20 to celebrate the film winning four Academy Awards and the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Moon’s congratulatory remarks contained a reference to director Bong Joon-ho being placed on a film industry blacklist during the Park Geun-hye administration (2013-16).

“I am very proud that we are writing a new page in the 100-year history of Korean film, and I am also very proud of our having written a new page in Oscar history,” said Moon at the luncheon that day with around 20 guests from the “Parasite” cast and production team, including Bong and actor Song Kang-ho.

“This was a source of great pride for South Koreans, who are now facing problems with the coronavirus situation, and I’m especially grateful for the tremendous courage it inspired,” he said.

Moon also expressed his support for the message “Parasite” shared on the issues of the wealth gap and deepening class divides.

“I have very great sympathy for the social consciousness that ‘Parasite’ showed. It is a global issue, not simply a South Korean issue, but inequality has become so entrenched that it feels like a permanent class structure,” he said.

“Relieving inequality is our top governance goal, but there’s a lot of opposition to it, and it’s very frustrating because there haven’t been satisfying results,” he continued.

Moon additionally praised Bong for the respect for labor that he showed on the film’s set.

“I want to express my respect for the way Mr. Bong and the producers led by example in observing the standard working [contract] hour system and the 52-hour work week [maximum] while producing the film,” he said, adding that the administration would “work so that this becomes institutionalized.”

Moon also said he would “do my utmost to ensure that an upper limit on screenings is quickly introduced to prevent monopolization of screenings within film distribution.”

“In short, I plan to substantially increase support to film academies -- or at any rate, I will definitely support the flourishing of the industry,” he continued.

“But there will be no interference,” he added. His remark, which was a reference to the culture and arts industry blacklist during the previous administration, drew laughs from the attendees.

Chapaguri served at luncheon

On the table for the luncheon was “chapaguri,” an instant-noodle dish that was featured in the film.

“In addition to the menu prepared by professionals, we also decided to try some chapaguri as a dedication from my wife to Mr. Bong and all of you,” Moon said.

Noting that “Parasite” had “journeyed from Cannes last year to the Academy to arrive here,” Bong said he was “happy to complete the long march at such an excellent occasion.” In response to Moon’s remarks, which lasted for over seven minutes, the director said he was “in a state of shock seeing the president right next to me speaking at such length.”

“Song Kang-ho and I both pride ourselves on ‘giving good speeches,’ but that speech going from congratulations on the film to references to South Korean popular culture and the film industry before arriving at chapaguri would have been something like two pages of film script,” he said.

“It didn’t seem rehearsed. It felt like you were talking about issues you’ve internalized over the course of your life, with a sense of thematic awareness,” he added.

Song Kang-ho said, “It’s been a long time since we [the cast and crew] have all gotten together. It’s a special experience eating warm food as we finish our journey.”

“I feel even more choked up because this seems like it’s become such a meaningful occasion,” he added.

Song presented Bong’s “Parasite” script and storyboard book set to Moon and the first lady as gifts that day. Moon introduced first lady Kim Jung-sook to Bong as “a special fan.” Speaking to Park So-dam, who plays Jessica in the film, Moon asked, “Who wrote the words to Jessica’s song?”

By Seong Yeon-cheol, staff reporter

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