South Korean director Bong Joon-ho’s satirical drama “Parasite” marked another milestone for the Korean film industry when it became the first Korean film to win a major US film award.

Bong’s “Parasite” won the award for best foreign language film at the Golden Globe Awards ceremony, held Monday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

The film, which won the top prize at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, has been on a global winning streak. Now, with its first-ever Hollywood trophy, all eyes are on next month’s Oscar Awards, where the film has been short-listed for best international feature film. The five finalists will be announced Jan. 13.

The film bested Pedro Almodovar’s “Pain and Glory,” LuLu Wang’s “The Farewell,” Ladj Ly’s “Les Miserables” and “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” by Celine Sciamma in the best foreign language film category.

“Parasite” failed to win best screenplay or best director, two other categories in which it had been nominated. “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood” by Quentin Tarantino won best screenplay, and “1917” by Sam Mendes won the best director award.

“I think we use only one language, the cinema,” Bong said in his acceptance speech. “Once you overcome the 1-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films,” he said through an interpreter.   

The film’s Golden Globe victory may serve as a barometer of its chances at the Oscars in February. “Parasite” is vying for Oscars in the best international feature and best original song categories.

In 2018, Korea’s “Burning,” directed by Lee Chang-dong, was short-listed for best foreign language film but failed to make the final list of nominees.

“Parasite,” Bong’s seventh feature film, is a black comedy-drama that revolves around two Korean families, one affluent and the other impoverished. The film critiques the entrenched social class system of modern society, and a series of unexpected and violent mishaps unfolds as the two families become entangled.  

The movie, which won Cannes Film Festival’s top prize -- the Palme d’Or -- last year, prior to its official release in Korea, shot to instant popularity after it hit local theaters in May.

After exceeding 10 million viewers in Korea, the movie was released in North America and France. Racking up more than $20 million in ticket sales stateside, the film became the highest-grossing Korean film ever in the United States and the highest grossing non-English-language film in 2019 in the US.

“Parasite” became the highest grossing Palme d’Or winner in France and North America in 15 years, since Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” in 2004.

Just ahead of the Golden Globe win, the movie was picked for best picture and best screenplay by the US National Society of Film Critics on Monday. Ahead of the Golden Globe and the Oscars, “Parasite” and Bong have swept numerous honors, including best filmmaker at the 23rd Hollywood Film Awards and best film and best director from the LA Film Critics Association. Cast member Song Kang-ho has been commended as best supporting actor by the LAFCA.

The film also stars Cho Yeo-jeong, Lee Sun-kyun, Lee Jeong-eun, Park So-dam, Choi Woo-shik and Jang Hye-jin.