'Parasite' director Bong Joon-ho saw signs leading to huge Oscar wins: Rat, chestnut, rain

Carly Mallenbaum | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Oscars 2020: The rain proved to be a good sign for some nominees Director Bong Joon-ho said it rained when he premiered 'Parasite' at Cannes, and believes it must be a good sign. His wins tonight prove that true.

HOLLYWOOD — Although Angelenos may be allergic to any sort of precipitation, "Parasite" director Bong Joon-ho welcomes a downpour. Yes, even when it creates damp spots on a red carpet, as it did Sunday afternoon.

After all, it may have helped him win a history-making four Oscars for his thrilling social satire.

Through translator Sharon Choi, Joon-ho told USA TODAY, "It rained when we premiered the film at Cannes (before "Parasite" became the first Korean film to win the French film festival's Palm d'Or), so it must be a good sign."

Joon-ho finds positive omens in other unlikely places, too. In a recent meal, his dish was served with a chestnut, despite the fact that the recipe likely didn't call for it.

"It might've been the chef's mistake, but it was so delicious. I think that might also be a good symbol," he says.

More Oscars: South Korean film 'Parasite' wins four Academy Awards, including best picture

Oscars 2020: The complete winners list

More: Why 'Parasite' was an Oscar no-brainer as the first foreign-language best picture

And during one of the first screenings of "Parasite" Joon-ho remembers seeing a rat run into the room where a Q&A was taking place.

On Sunday, he joked, "It would be better if I saw a rat running in the rain, actually. Double luck."

But it turned out the South Korean director didn't need the extra good fortune: He and "Parasite" won for best picture, director, international film (the first South Korean film to get that honor) and original screenplay (the first non-English film to win).