Korean actor Song Kang-ho, star of Parasite and Broker, on Cobweb, his latest film, and why his movies ‘transcend boundaries’ despite language barrier

Starring in Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 Oscar winner Parasite earned Song Kang-ho international acclaim, and he won best actor at Cannes in 2022 for his role in Broker

The veteran star speaks to the Post about the broad appeal of films he’s acted in, surprising audiences, the golden age of Hong Kong cinema and new movie Cobweb

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South Korean actor Song Kang-ho in Hong Kong. The star of movies such as “Parasite” and “Broker” and new film “Cobweb” talks to the Post about his international success, Hong Kong cinema and the evolution of Korean movie making. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Published: 7:15am, 24 Oct 2023

For the award-winning Korean film actor Song Kang-ho, the Covid-19 pandemic was a time for reflection and re-evaluating the meaning of cinema.

It left him with much to ponder, and he asked himself fundamental questions, such as “What is a film?” and “What makes a film look like a film?”

“The pandemic brought about unprecedented changes in our lives, allowing us to easily consume TV shows and films through streaming services,” Song says.

“During that time, I often asked myself, ‘What kind of movies need to be seen on the big screen?’ That is why I decided to star in Cobweb.”

COBWEB 거미집 Trailer (2023) | Dir. Kim Jee-woon

Our interview took place on Song’s recent visit to Hong Kong to attend the Hong Kong Asian Film Festival, where Cobweb was the festival’s opening film.

In the film, directed by Kim Jee-woon, Song plays Kim Yeol, a director from the 1970s who is haunted by the desire to reshoot the final part of his film.