Oscar-winning filmmaker Bong Joon Ho (it still feels good getting to write that) has long made a name for himself by swirling up recognisable genres into his own strange brew – crafting films where horror, suspense, creature features and comedy all coalesce into films that are distinctly Director Bong. But for as many genres as the South Korean auteur has moved through, there’s something he’s never attempted – having his characters suddenly burst into song. Which isn’t to say that it hasn’t crossed his mind.
Speaking to Empire prior to that sweep of Oscars wins for Parasite, the filmmaker mused about what the future of film might hold for him. “I would love to make a musical,” he said. “Characters would begin singing, then think, ‘Oh my God, fuck this, this is too cheesy,’ and stop suddenly. There are amazing musical films, like Singin’ In The Rain. But when I watch them, I feel very embarrassed and start blushing. So it would have to be… different.” All of which sounds brilliantly Bong. And having just won Best Picture, Best Director, Best International Film, and Best Original Screenplay at the biggest film awards out there, the world should be his oyster at this point.
Read Empire’s full story on Bong Joon Ho’s next move in the Black Widow issue, available on newsstands and digitally via the Empire Magazine app from Thursday 19 March.
READ MORE: Bong Joon Ho: A Film-By-Film Guide To The Parasite Director