Bong earlier pulled off a surprise win, snatching the best directing prize for his darkly comic class satire, to go with Oscars for best international feature and best original screenplay, at the 92nd Academy Awards ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Bong topped a prestigious nominees’ list that included Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Todd Phillips and Sam Mendes.

“Thank you,” the director said with a chuckle after receiving the award on stage from the hands of Spike Lee. “After winning best international feature, I thought I was done for today and was ready to relax. Thank you so much.”

Bong paid tribute to fellow nominee Scorsese. “When I was in school, I studied Martin Scorsese’s films. Just to be nominated is a huge honour; I never expected to win.”

He also thanked Tarantino for his past support. “When people in the US are not familiar with my films, Quentin Tarantino always put my films on his [favourite films’] lists. Quentin, I love you.”

Bong then added that Phillips and Mendes are “great directors I admire”.

There’s no raining on the parade: stars on Oscars red carpet

After saying that he’d like to split the Oscar and share it with all the best director nominees, Bong added: “I will drink until next morning. Thank you.”

Shortly before his best director win, Bong was also on stage to receive the best international feature prize.

“Thank you, great honour,” said director Bong Joon-ho in English on stage as he received a standing ovation from the audience.

“I’m so happy to be its first recipient under the new name,” the director added through an interpreter, referring to the award formerly known as best foreign-language film.

“I applaud and support the new direction that this change symbolises,” Bong continued, before saluting the Parasite cast and crew members in attendance. He added that he’s “ready to drink tonight”.

Bong’s film also won the original screenplay honour early in the evening, becoming the first Asian film to claim this Oscar.

Writer-director Bong and co-screenwriter Han Jin-won were on stage to receive the honour.

“This is the very first Oscar for South Korea, thank you,” said Bong, who also thanked his wife and “all the actors for bringing this film alive”.

Overall, Parasite claimed four Oscars from the six categories it was nominated in. It lost out to Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood in the production design category, and to Ford v Ferrari for the film editing prize.

Sam Mendes’s war drama 1917 , widely considered a favourite in the best picture race after its wins at the Golden Globes and Baftas, took three Oscars: for cinematography, visual effects, and sound mixing.

All four acting winners turned out as predicted – Joaquin Phoenix was named best actor for Joker , Renée Zellweger won best actress for Judy , Laura Dern was named best supporting actress for Marriage Story, and Brad Pitt won best supporting actor for Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood.

The full list of winners

Best picture: Parasite

Actor in a leading role: Joaquin Phoenix (Joker)

Actress in a leading role: Renée Zellweger (Judy)

Actor in a supporting role: Brad Pitt (Once upon a Time... in Hollywood)

Actress in a supporting role: Laura Dern (Marriage Story)

Animated feature film: Toy Story 4

Cinematography: 1917

Costume design: Little Women

Directing: Bong Joon-ho (Parasite)

Documentary (feature): American Factory

Documentary (short): Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)

Film editing: Ford v Ferrari

International feature film: Parasite

Make-up and hair styling: Bombshell

Music (original score): Joker

Music (original song): (I’m Gonna) Love Me Again from Rocketman

Production design: Once upon a Time...in Hollywood

Short film (animated): Hair Love

Short film (live-action): The Neighbors’ Window

Sound editing: Ford v Ferrari

Sound mixing: 1917

Visual effects: 1917

Writing (adapted screenplay): Jojo Rabbit

Writing (original screenplay): Parasite