Director Bong Joon-ho Expresses Confidence in Korean Movies
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Director Bong Joon-ho has expressed his confidence that Korean movies will not lose the success they have enjoyed in spite of the screen quota cut.
"The screen quota for Korean movies will be halved from 146 days a year from July 1, but there are many good Korean movies waiting to be released, including 'Fly, Daddy, Fly', 'Dasepo Girl' and "Hanbando". I have high expectations that these movies will do well although the film industry is institutionally at stake due to the screen quota cut", Bong said in front of the Kyobo Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on Wednesday when he staged a one-man protest against the screen quota cut. He is the 141st person to stage the protest being carried out by a series of actors and directors.
He added that he is optimistic that the Korean film industry will see a good time again in the second half of the year, if there is enough public interest and demand for Korean movies.
Regarding a picket sign he was carrying that read "The screen quota cut destroys cultural diversity, and the Korea-US FTA destroys the economy", he said that the first part of the statement is what he thinks as a movie director and the latter part as a citizen.
In response to opposition to the screen quota, the director stressed that the screen quota is not a system that guarantees the monopoly of the Korean film industry. "It is aimed at preventing Hollywood movies from monopolizing the Korean market. And its ultimate purpose is to create a sound market where culturally diverse movies from Korean and Hollywood movies to European and Asian movies all exist together", he said.
Finally, when asked about how he feels ahead of the release of his new movie "The Host" on July 27, Bong said that he always feels as if he were a fish on a chopping board when he has a work about to be released. "I am so anxious and nervous that I am having sleepless nights. But I did my best and do not have any regrets", he added.
"The screen quota for Korean movies will be halved from 146 days a year from July 1, but there are many good Korean movies waiting to be released, including 'Fly, Daddy, Fly', 'Dasepo Girl' and "Hanbando". I have high expectations that these movies will do well although the film industry is institutionally at stake due to the screen quota cut", Bong said in front of the Kyobo Building in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on Wednesday when he staged a one-man protest against the screen quota cut. He is the 141st person to stage the protest being carried out by a series of actors and directors.
He added that he is optimistic that the Korean film industry will see a good time again in the second half of the year, if there is enough public interest and demand for Korean movies.
Regarding a picket sign he was carrying that read "The screen quota cut destroys cultural diversity, and the Korea-US FTA destroys the economy", he said that the first part of the statement is what he thinks as a movie director and the latter part as a citizen.
In response to opposition to the screen quota, the director stressed that the screen quota is not a system that guarantees the monopoly of the Korean film industry. "It is aimed at preventing Hollywood movies from monopolizing the Korean market. And its ultimate purpose is to create a sound market where culturally diverse movies from Korean and Hollywood movies to European and Asian movies all exist together", he said.
Finally, when asked about how he feels ahead of the release of his new movie "The Host" on July 27, Bong said that he always feels as if he were a fish on a chopping board when he has a work about to be released. "I am so anxious and nervous that I am having sleepless nights. But I did my best and do not have any regrets", he added.
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