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2024-03-03 23:09:25

Bong Joon Ho

South Korean film director, producer, screenwriter
South Korean film director, producer, screenwriter
Bong Joon Ho is a renowned South Korean filmmaker known for his films focusing on social themes, black humor, and genre-mixing. He gained international acclaim with movies like Parasite, which made history at the Academy Awards.
1969-09-14
Birth of Bong Joon-Ho
Bong Joon-Ho, the acclaimed South Korean filmmaker, was born on September 14, 1969 in Taegu, South Korea.
1986
Memories of Murder Begins
The movie 'Memories of Murder' begins in 1986, following two local police officers investigating a rural area where bodies keep turning up, based on the true story of South Korea’s first serial murders.
1987-06
June Democratic Struggle
The June Democratic Struggle was a period of mass protests in South Korea in response to the then-president's military regime and the torture and death of student activists. It led to the establishment of the current government of South Korea.
1988
Bong Joon Ho's Donut Selling
In 1988, Bong Joon Ho enrolled at Yonsei University and sold donuts at the school cafeteria for six months to save up enough money to buy a Hitachi camera, showcasing his dedication to pursuing his passion for cinema.
1993
White Man (Baeksaek-in)
Bong Joon Ho made his first short film 'White Man' in 1993. The film is about a middle-class yuppie who finds a worker's severed finger and pockets it.
1994
Career Beginnings with Short Films
In 1994, Bong Joon-ho began his career by creating the short films White Man, Memories in My Frame, and Incoherence.
1995-03
Bong Joon Ho attends Korean Academy of Film Arts
In 1995, Bong Joon Ho enrolled in a two-year program at the Korean Academy of Film Arts, marking the beginning of his career in filmmaking. During this time, he created several 16mm short films, including Memories Within a Frame and Incoherence.
1995-09
Bong Joon Ho's graduation films showcased at Vancouver and Hong Kong International Film Festivals
In September 1995, Bong Joon Ho's graduation films, Memories Within a Frame and Incoherence, were screened at the Vancouver and Hong Kong International Film Festivals, providing a glimpse of his future success as a filmmaker.
1997
Motel Cactus
Bong and two of his classmates were snapped up as assistant directors by Park Kiyong for his feature Motel Cactus, on which Bong also gets co-writer credit.
1999
Phantom, the Submarine
Bong co-wrote Min Byungchun’s Phantom, the Submarine and then directed his first two features.
2000-02
Barking Dogs Never Bite
Bong Joon-ho's first feature film, Barking Dogs Never Bite, revolves around a university lecturer who abducts a neighbor's dog. The film received positive critical reviews and slowly gained international recognition, reaching its financial break-even point due to sales to overseas territories.
2003-04
Memories of Murder
Memories of Murder, Bong Joon-ho's second film, is based on a real-life serial killer case from the 1980s. The film was a critical and popular success, selling over five million tickets and rescuing the production company from near-bankruptcy.
2003-09
Memories of Murder
Bong's film Memories of Murder, released in 2003, portrays the unresolved serial killings in the 1980s, reflecting the real-life unsolved crimes at that time. The film's narrative revolves around the essential unresolved nature of the threat.
2004
Influenza
Influenza is a 30-minute short film commissioned by the Jeonju International Film Festival. It is acted out entirely in front of real CCTV cameras stationed throughout Seoul, and it charts a desperate man's turn to violent crime over the space of five years.
2006-07-27
The Host's Monster Terrorizes Seoul
In 2006, a whale-sized monster emerges from the Han River in Seoul, causing terror in the area. The monster is created due to the dumping of toxic chemical waste and takes a young girl victim, leading her family to take action to rescue her.
2008
Shaking Tokyo
Shaking Tokyo is a segment of the film Tokyo! directed by Bong Joon-Ho. It portrays the life of a hikikomori in Japan who experiences an encounter with a pizza delivery employee.
2009-05-28
Mother (Madeo) - Unsettling Murder Investigation
The movie 'Mother' (Madeo) presents an unsettling and partially ominous portrayal of an investigation following a grim murder. It is characterized by darkly-pressed humor and dramatic acting.
2010
Inclusion of Mother in Best of Lists
Following its wider release, Bong Joon Ho's film, Mother, made it to the Best of Lists for 2010, garnering further acclaim for its compelling storyline and direction.
2011
3.11 A Sense of Home
Bong contributed to 3.11 A Sense of Home, an anthology film made by 21 filmmakers in response to the devastating earthquake and tsunami which hit the Tohoku region of Japan on March 11, 2011. Bong's short film Iki is part of this anthology, where a teenage girl finds a seemingly dead toddler on a beach.
2013
Directed 'Snowpiercer'
In 2013, Bong Joon-ho directed the film Snowpiercer, which received universal acclaim from critics.
2017-11-06
Release of 'Okja'
In 2017, Bong Joon-ho co-wrote, directed, and produced the action-adventure film Okja, which earned a nomination for the Palme d'Or at the 70th Cannes Film Festival.
2019-02-24
Parasite Wins Best Picture at Academy Awards
The foreign language film Parasite made history by winning the Best Picture award at the Academy Awards, marking a significant achievement for director Bong Joon-Ho and the film industry.
2019-05-25
Parasite Wins Palme d'Or
At the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Parasite won the prestigious Palme d'Or, making it the first Korean film to receive this award. The unanimous vote for the film's win was a significant achievement for Bong Joon Ho and the South Korean film industry.
2019-05-30
Parasite Premiere in South Korea
The film Parasite, directed by Bong Joon Ho, premiered in South Korea on May 30, 2019, and received unanimous critical acclaim. It went on to become Bong's highest-grossing release, earning $266 million at the worldwide box office.
2019-06-16
Parasite Wins Sydney Film Prize
On June 16, 2019, Parasite won the $60,000 Sydney Film Prize at the Sydney Film Festival, further solidifying its international acclaim. The film's success at this festival highlighted its impact on a global scale.
2019-10-01
Parasite winning at the 92nd Academy Awards
Parasite was officially selected as South Korea’s entry for Best International Feature Film at the 92nd Academy Awards. It made history by being the first foreign language film to win Best Picture as well, with Bong Joon Ho winning in the Best Director category.
2019-10-11
Parasite Release in the United States
Parasite was released in the United States by Neon on October 11, 2019, and continued to receive widespread critical acclaim. It became a significant success for Bong Joon Ho in the American market.
2020-01-05
Bong Joon Ho's Best Foreign Language Film Acceptance Speech at Golden Globes
Bong Joon Ho delivered a memorable acceptance speech at the 2020 Golden Globes, emphasizing the significance of overcoming language barriers to explore a diverse range of exceptional films.
2020-02-12
Bong Joon-Ho's Early Life
Bong Joon-Ho was born in the city of Daegu in 1969, the youngest of four children. His upbringing in an artistic family and early exposure to films influenced his future work as a filmmaker.
2020-02-20
Donald Trump's Criticism of Parasite's Best Picture Win
U.S. president Donald Trump criticized Parasite's win for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, sparking widespread condemnation due to his comments being perceived as xenophobic and racist. This incident sparked discussions about the recognition of international films in the U.S.
2020-02-26
Parasite Wins Best Picture
Bong Joon-Ho directed the film Parasite, which won the Best Picture award during the past award season. The film received a lot of support and social media coverage, making Bong Joon-Ho a widely recognized name in Hollywood.
2021-09-01
Bong Joon Ho Serves as Jury President at Venice International Film Festival
In September 2021, Bong Joon Ho served as the jury president of the 78th Venice International Film Festival, showcasing his influential role in the global film industry beyond his directorial achievements.
2022-08-01
Production Commencement for Mickey 17
Production for Mickey 17, an adaptation of Edward Ashton's novel, commenced on August 1, 2022. This film marks Bong Joon Ho's collaboration with Warner Bros. Pictures and features a star-studded cast, further generating anticipation in the film industry.
2022-11-28
Bong Joon-Ho's Passion for Cinema
Bong Joon-Ho discovered his passion for cinema early on, watching movies on TV. This event played a significant role in shaping his career as a filmmaker.
2024-02-13
Bong Joon-ho to helm most expensive Korean film
On February 13, 2024, Bong Joon-ho, the director of 'Parasite', announced his involvement in the production of the most expensive Korean film to date.
2025-01
Release Date Change for 'Mickey 17'
Bong Joon Ho's film 'Mickey 17,' starring Robert Pattinson, had its release date moved to January 2025.
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Bong Joon Ho

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Bong Joon Ho

South Korean film director, producer, screenwriter
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