Oscar-winning filmmaker Bong Joon Ho shared extensive updates on his upcoming projects, personal inspirations, and memorable experiences in recent interviews. His primary focus is currently on his first-ever animated feature, "Ally," an ambitious global project set for release in 2027.

"Ally" is a 3D computer graphics (CG) animation, co-written by Bong and Jason Yu. It tells the story of Ally, a curious young piglet squid residing in the uncharted depths of the South Pacific Ocean. Ally dreams of reaching the surface to star in a wildlife documentary, but her life takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious aircraft sinks into her habitat. Bong Joon Ho revealed that the film intends to provoke thought about humanity's impact on oceans and the necessity for coexistence with marine life, promising to showcase a variety of "cute creatures" he has discovered during the animation process. The production is scheduled to be completed by the end of this year, with discussions about distribution and film festival premieres to follow.

Beyond his animated endeavors, Bong Joon Ho discussed his profound passion for cinema and fellow filmmakers. He shared his top film picks from legendary directors: for Martin Scorsese, he cited "Mean Streets" and especially "Raging Bull"; for Christopher Nolan, "Batman Begins"; for Guillermo del Toro, "The Devil’s Backbone," "Pan’s Labyrinth," and "Hellboy II"; for David Fincher, "The Social Network"; and for Stanley Kubrick, "The Shining." He also named Studio Ghibli's "Spirited Away" and "My Neighbor Totoro" as favorites, and selected John Carpenter's "The Thing" for his Academy Museum exhibit, particularly admiring its ambiguous ending. His favorite graphic novel is Taiyō Matsumoto’s "Sunny," an acclaimed Japanese work about an orphan girl.

Bong Joon Ho recounted a particularly joyful experience hosting a Q&A with David Fincher at the Academy Museum, describing it as a moment of pure happiness where he could indulge his inner "film geek" or "movie buff." He used the Korean term "seong-deok," meaning a 'succeeded geek,' to articulate the feeling, suggesting that his career as a filmmaker served as a means to connect with his idols like Fincher. During the Q&A, Bong inquired about a potential sequel to "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," and Fincher's response implied an offer to show Bong his own upcoming work, which Bong initially dismissed as casual talk but was later encouraged to pursue.

Reflecting on his iconic film "Memories of Murder," Bong revealed his intense personal investment in solving the real-life serial crime while writing the script. He resonated deeply with Jake Gyllenhaal's character in "Zodiac," recalling how he conducted extensive research and even compiled a list of ten urgent questions he hoped to ask the serial killer. Although the real killer was apprehended in 2019, legal complexities prevented Bong from visiting him in prison, despite his strong desire to do so, especially after learning the killer had seen the movie without any emotional reaction.

Regarding other projects, Bong Joon Ho provided an update on the "Parasite" TV show, stating it is "developing quite nicely" and news could be expected soon. As for his next live-action film, he indicated that he is currently fully immersed in finishing "Ally" but might be able to answer questions about future scripts by the fall of this year, mentioning he has several ideas brewing on his iPad. Despite his international success, Bong maintains his anonymity in Korea, still finding quiet cafés where he can write undisturbed. Additionally, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is currently running a season-long series of films that have inspired him, titled "A Lifetime of Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho," through May 29.