I'm genuinely baffled this film won not only best foreign film, best directing and best screenwriting, but also Best Picture (historically reserved for American films only). Of all the films to break the barrier and be the first, they chose THIS? When will all this self loathing end? I guess never because as long as humans are alive there will always be hordes of abysmally depressed people who think the more they hate humanity and the ways of the world they more self righteous they'll feel about "calling it out". What a joke. While the film is extremely well made its story is soulless and not as intelligent of a critique of capitalism, egalitarianism, and meritocracy as the snobs make it seem. At this point it's the ultimate cliche. It play more like a weak melodrama/soft noir movie. It's just a weird film that meanders and is only occasionally entertaining. Some good humor and interesting situations that hold you in brief suspense. Other than that the only interesting parts are seeing Korean culture in cinema. I'd love to visit some time. But this movie is trash. The overall message of the movie is life sucks, so why even try? It amazes me that the director can even reconcile the conflict within himself. I'm sure he tried VERY hard to make this a great movie, as he does with all his films. He tried so hard he even won 3 Oscar's with this one. He worked very hard for decades to gain the knowledge and skills to be able to pull this off and I know for a fact it's made him rich. Does he hate his own success? Should he have not ever tried and just remained a dreamer? Should he never have strove to be a great director? If he really feels this way about success and achievement he never should have accepted that Oscar. He should donate all his money to charity and live a destitute life because hey, life sucks for so many people, so why even try? Give me a break. The entire premise of the movie is JOKE. How immature and sad one must be to love this movie. 2 hours of life just wasted.