Bong won Oscars for best director, best international feature, best original screenplay and best picture for this his dark comic thriller, “Parasite,” the first South Korean film to win an Academy Award in any category. And with every trip to the stage, his trusty interpreter, Sharon Choi, was by his side to translate his acceptance speeches.
— twila “building a podcast empire” dang (@twiladang) February 10, 2020
Choi, an aspiring film director herself, has been a regular fixture at award shows, press events and in TV appearances translating for Bong, and gaining her own fandom in the process.
"It's very embarrassing to translate, but he said thanks to me this campaign has been a smooth journey," Choi translated for Bong.
Choi has been traveling with Bong as his interpreter since at least May of 2019, when "Parasite" won the Palm d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.
Chris Pizzello/AP
Bong Joon Ho and the cast of “Parasite” reacts as they receive the “Best Picture” Academy Award from presenter Jane Fonda on Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. “Parasite” made Oscars history on Sunday when it became the first foreign language film to win the Oscars’ biggest category.
Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images
South Korean film director Bong Joon-ho poses with his engraved awards as he attends the 92nd Oscars Governors Ball at the Hollywood Highland Center in Hollywood, Feb. 9, 2020. “Parasite,” Bong’s latest work, made Oscar history when it became the first foreign language film to win the “Best Picture” award on Sunday.
Chris Pizzello/AP
Scarlett Johansson, left, congratulates Laura Dern for winning best supporting actress for “Marriage Story” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Kelsey McNeal via Getty Images
Tom Hanks, right, turned heads when he dropped on the red carpet at the Academy Awards and did a few push-ups alongside an army sergeant on Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles.
Mark Ralston/AFP
Janelle Monae performs onstage during the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on Feb. 9, 2020.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Cynthia Erivo performs onstage during the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on Feb. 9, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
Chris Pizzello/AP
Janelle Monae, left, and Billy Porter perform onstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Mark Ralston/AFP
Steve Martin and Chris Rock (R) speak onstage during the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on Feb. 9, 2020.
Chris Pizzello/AP
Regina King, left, presents Brad Pitt with the award for best performance by an actor in a supporting role for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Mark Ralston/AFP
Idina Menzel and Elsa voice actresses perform onstage during the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on Feb. 9, 2020.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
(L-R) Maya Rudolph and Kristen Wiig speak onstage during the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on Feb. 9, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell speak onstage during the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on Feb. 9, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
Chris Pizzello/AP
James Corden, left, and Rebel Wilson present the award for best visual effects at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Elton John performs onstage during the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on Feb. 9, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
Mark Ralston/AFP
Billie Eilish performs onstage during the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on Feb. 9, 2020.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Joaquin Phoenix accepts the Actor In A Leading Role award for ‘Joker’ onstage during the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on Feb. 9, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Renée Zellweger accepts the Actress in a Leading Role award for ‘Judy’ onstage during the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre on Feb. 9, 2020 in Hollywood, California.
