Bong Joon Ho says HBO's 'Parasite' series progressing smoothly, reveals 6-7 new project ideas

Director Bong Joon Ho has revealed in a recent international interview that development of the TV drama 'Parasite' is progressing smoothly, while he is also working on six to seven new project ideas.

In an interview with U.S. film outlet Collider, Bong shared an update on the 'Parasite' TV series currently in development. “It’s going very well. It’s taking some time, but it’s progressing quite smoothly,” he said.

The HBO series adaptation of 'Parasite' is being developed with director Adam McKay—known for 'The Big Short' and 'Vice'—serving as an executive producer alongside Bong. The project has drawn attention with reported casting discussions involving Hollywood stars Tilda Swinton and Mark Ruffalo.

During the interview, Bong also addressed questions about his upcoming project, 'Ally.' When asked whether he is aiming for an invitation to the Cannes Film Festival, he responded, “It’s still too early. I just hope festivals will naturally take an interest in the film. They’re the ones who set the rules and extend invitations.”

He added, “For now, the only schedule we have is to complete the project within this year. Only after that will we begin discussing distribution or festival plans.”

When asked if he has other new works in preparation beyond the two previously mentioned projects, Bong said, “Right now, I’m focusing all my energy on finishing the animation. I think I’ll be able to talk about future projects sometime this fall.”

He further explained, “I have about six to seven ideas on my iPad, but they’re just ideas at this stage. None of them has been written into scripts or signed into contracts yet. They’re still developing in my head.”

Meanwhile, 'Ally' follows the story of a baby pig-squid named 'Ally,' who dreams of appearing on television while also wanting to see the sun firsthand. The peaceful daily life of 'Ally' and her friends is disrupted when an unidentified aircraft crashes into the ocean.

Distributor CJ ENM previously revealed that development on 'Ally,' Bong’s first animated feature, has been underway since 2019. The project is co-written by director Yoo Jae Sun, a former member of Bong’s directing team and the filmmaker behind 'Sleep.' The large-scale global production involves creators from 12 countries, including South Korea, and is targeting completion in the first half of 2027 with a worldwide release planned.