LOS ANGELES _ Like much of the film world, the "Parasite" team was still reeling from its historic best picture win Sunday at the 92nd Academy Awards as they made their way backstage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, greeted by a standing ovation from journalists.
"When we have these amazing results, it still feels very surreal," said director Bong Joon Ho. "I feel like something will hit me, and I will wake up from this dream. It's literally ... crazy."
Though the filmmaker has received critical acclaim for past projects like "Okja," the overwhelming success and global popularity of "Parasite" _ a 100% Korean-language project _ has inspired Bong to look to his roots.
"That's what made me think that, perhaps, the deeper I delve into things that are around me, the broader the story can become and the more appeal it can have to an international audience," he said.
The director winner also gave a shout-out to fellow nominee Martin Scorsese, to whom he delivered a touching tribute during an emotional acceptance speech earlier Sunday night.
"I've seen Scorsese lose this award multiple times, and he didn't know me back then, but I was so frustrated," Bong said. "To be nominated with him has been a huge honor. It's hard to believe."
