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| "Parasite" director Bong Joon-ho gives his acceptance speech at the 2020 Golden Globe Awards. Yonhap |
By Lee Min-young
"Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films," Golden Globe-winning Korean movie director Bong Joon-ho said through his Korean interpreter Sharon Choi.
Bong, director of the dark comedy-thriller "Parasite," won Korea's first Golden Globe award for Best Foreign-Language Film. It was the first Korean film to be nominated.
While Bong's Golden Globe speech made headlines for sending a message to audiences that miss out on non-English movies, Choi was also the one in the limelight for acting as a mouthpiece for Bong with her smooth, punchy interpretation.
Choi, 25, is also a filmmaker. She is now working as an interpreter in Seoul.
Choi has been working with Bong since last May at the Cannes film festival, where she was praised for her ability to perfectly carry in her interpretation even the smallest nuances of the director's words.
The video of Bong on U.S. talk show "Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" last month has garnered more than a million views on YouTube. Many comments have been directed at Choi, saying: "Bong has the same English interpreter in other interviews and she is just terrific. Best in class."
Watch Bong on the Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
This set off a chain of Twitter reaction toward Choi, praising her as the "MVP (Most Valuable Person) of this year's awards."
Another added: "In every recent Bong Joon-ho Q&A and interview on YouTube, his translator gets praised over and over in the comments for being incredibly accurate. There's a lot saying she's one of the best in the world. Major props."
Interpreters tagging along with acclaimed directors are likely to be overlooked on the arthouse side.
But on Monday night local time, when Bong took home his Golden Globe trophy, Choi stole the scene.
American entertainment news outlet The Hollywood Reporter asked her questions about how she feels working with Bong, pointing out that she has become a star during award season.
Bong added in English: "She has a big fandom," which the reporter agreed with and went on asking if she ever gets nervous, praising her performance that night.
An embarrassed Choi said she is a huge fan of films and filmmakers, so it has been wonderful working with Bong.
Watch the full video of Bong's interview with The Hollywood Reporter after the Golden Globes below.
