When you got the script, what struck you the most reading it for the first time?
The structure of the drama. It was refreshing, fun and entertaining at the same time. In the case of “Snowpiercer”, I wouldn’t say complex, but I felt like there was a sort of uncertainty for the project itself. However, in the case of “Parasite” I was very certain that this story would appeal to the audience. It was very entertaining and the structure of the drama was very friendly to the audience, so I was very certain about that.
Before you started shooting, did Bong give you any other backstory for your character? Did he tell you anything else about him that wasn’t on the page?
No, he doesn’t really go about it, but me, Mr. Song, I actually imagine how Taek has come to this certain circumstance. I actually think about it a lot, ponder about how he has come to this junction in his life.
One of the things I love about your performance is that it often seems like you’re holding in his frustration and his anger.
I didn’t actually plan it that way. It came up rather naturally through my performance because I got the inspiration from my own life and the people around me. That’s the appeal of the film because not only does it speak to the audience in Korea, but he speaks to the audience here in the States and other countries as well because a lot of people are going through that same class struggle. And that is actually why I think the film is so successful because Ki-taek is going through the same ordinary struggle of ordinary everyday people’s lives.
The family has such great chemistry. Did that come about through rehearsals or just naturally on set?
[We had] some rehearsals, but when it’s not needed we don’t rehearse and just straight shoot. However, as far as chemistry of the family is concerned, all the actors in the movie, they’re really well known and really great actors in Korea. We didn’t really practice per se, however the chemistry came out very naturally.
That’s good. The flood scene, was that as gross as it looked on screen?
Not at all. It might look gross and disgusting…it was very safe. And also it was actually made out of mud that you actually use for cosmetics. That’s how they got their colors.
Are those sort of days fun?
No it’s really challenging. I had to wear a shirt underneath.
Was there one scene in particular that you found most challenging or maybe surprised you in sort of how difficult it was for you?
I would say the climax because physically we were, it was really hot when we were shooting that scene and I was really concerned for, I should say, nervous about how the action would have an impact, and moreover, most importantly how we would just convey Director Bongs message as he had intended. That was most important for me so I was very sensitive and nervous about that scene.
Having known Bong for many years, is Bong the director on set very different from Bong, your friend you might go to dinner with or do interviews with?
Overall, I would say he’s pretty similar at the set, and privately. He’s humorous, he’s idiosyncratic, and he’s very clever, but I would say in private setting, he’s actually more gentle, and more composed.
The film obviously has been so well regarded and there’s talk of it not just being an International Film nominee, but also landing a Best Picture nod as well as Director Bong earning a directing nod and other nominations for the film. What do you think that would mean for the Korean film industry if that were to happen?
t would be a great honor for Korean Country itself and the Korean audience. Korean fans are very excited about it. However, even if the results don’t result as they are hoping for, just the fact that the Parasite had been well received in the States, and they are, it’s giving sort of a refreshing, and impact surprise for the audience, that itself is tremendous in itself. We are looking forward to how it turns out, but just the fact of the matter that has been discussed, it’s just an honor to us.
“Parasite” is now playing nationwide.