Synopsis
Parasite is a film that came out in 2019 and is a South Korean film directed by Bong Joon-ho. The movie revolves around two families with contrasting lifestyles that become intertwined within modern-day Seoul. One of the families lives in a small and semi-basement apartment whereas the other family resides in a big elegant house in a calm neighborhood.
The movie focuses on the Kim family which comprises of father Kim Ki-taek, and mother Chung-sook, son Ki-woo, and daughter Ki-jung. The Kims portrayed in the film are educated and diligent, however, they are economically struggling and living paycheck to paycheck. Their small living quarters highlight their dismal prospects and stagnant lifestyle.
Things begin to change for Ki-woo when he is given the opportunity to tutor the daughter of a wealthy Park family. With the help of his sister, he secures the job and subsequently gains entry to the Park household. The Kims, seizing the opportunity, devise a plan and through careful manipulation, they stage freelance roles within the home as a family. Ki-jung is appointed as the art teacher for the Parks’ son, Ki-taek is the family driver, and Chung-sook is the replacement for the housekeeper while still posing as the unconnected support staff.
With the Kims now fully integrated into the lives of the Parks, the differences between the two families become starker. The Parks, while polite and generous, display a certain obliviousness to social struggles beyond their gilded suburban world. The Kims, in turn, though ingenious and resourceful, are perpetually forced to navigate a world not designed for their lives.
At the heart of the film is this paradox of thickening contrasts and stark dichotomies: the juxtaposition of struggle against ease, being seen and being unseen. As the plot progresses, conflicts emerge for both families which seek to hint at more profound social hierarchies, vanity, and the very essence of achievement.
Cast and Characters
Kim Ki-taek is portrayed by Song Kang-ho: a quiet, introspective man struggling to accomplish upward mobility for his family in an unforgiving society.
His wife, Chung-sook, is played by Jang Hye-jin: A practical and resolute personality, she combines singular focus and quick-thinking for the family’s strategy to escape their current standing.
Choi Woo-shik takes the role of Ki-woo: the ambitious son whose decision to take the tutoring job initiates the plot.
Park So-dam portrays Ki-jung: the inventive and resourceful younger daughter who seamlessly takes on her new role in the Park family.
Completing the Park family is:
Sun-kyun Lee in the role of Mr. Park, a businessman.
Mrs. Park is played by Cho Yeo-jeong, a trusting and caring mother.
Da-hye and Da-song, the Park children, epitomize two sides of a coin that is a sheltered upbringing.
There is deep emotional complexity in the story and in the acting. The audience is actively invited, rather than told, to reach a verdict about each family’s choices and struggles.
Direction and Visuals
Bong Joon-ho is recognized for mixing different genres and conveying deep narratives in a simple and relatable manner. In Parasite, he masterfully incorporates humor, drama, and suspense all at once, and in perfect balance. His attention to detail in each scene is palpable, as well as the changes in tone that he is able to skillfully navigate throughout the film.
Under the guidance of Hong Kyung-pyo, the film’s cinematography vividly aligns with projecting the film’s ideas. The sunlight-filled, airy Park home is in stark contrast with the Kim family’s dark, cramped apartment. The act of ascending, or moving vertically downward to lower places, illustrates the social hierarchy the characters strive to rise above provides the audience with a vivid representation of the social ladder the characters strive to ascend.
The musical score of Jung Jae-il adds subtle sophistication to the film, as the music shifts in a subtle fashion to the expected mood of the film, enhancing the scenes without overly accentuating itself. It adds to the feeling that everything in the film is an effort in deep, meaningful, and meticulous planning.
Recognition and Reception
Parasite has been appreciated and awarded all over the globe for its unique story and impactful social commentary. It has a high rating on IMDb which is an encouraging reception from the critics as well as the audience. Reviewers appreciated the intelligent plot and character development, and the artistic presentation of the film.
Parasite made history at the 92nd Academy Awards where it became the first non-English language film to win Best Picture. It also won Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Feature Film. These accolades marked a powerful milestone in the history of South Korean cinema, paving the way for international films to be appreciated by the audience around the world.
The film brought audiences from all over the world together as they dealt with the themes of inequality, identity, and the aspiration for a better life. Even though the story is grounded in Korean culture, the themes are relatable to a large population which makes the story feel universal where many people desire a better life and the incessant hardships that accompany it.
Themes and Symbolism
Parasite skillfully addresses social problems in a nuanced yet powerful way. The film examines the concept of opportunity and how it is shaped by one’s social standing and perspective. Furthermore, it examines the issues of dignity, social equity, and the societal roles individuals are expected to inhabit.
Symbolism serves an important function in the film. The semi-basement apartment epitomizes the in-between condition of the Kim family—forgotten and disregarded, but never fully invisible. The Parks’ house is an illustration of how simplistic, yet meticulously guarded, a life entrenched in affluence can be.
In the film, the frequent depiction of stairs serves to illustrate the shifting of social strata. The act of ascending—climbing—implies hope and ambition, while descending suggests the opposite. Even the weather serves as a symbol—for one family, rain may symbolize hardship, while for another family, the same rain may symbolize something else entirely.
These layers of underlying meaning deepen Parasite’s narrative and visually illustrate the film’s emotional core, which is never overshadowed by the more overt themes. No character is simplified into the role of a hero or villain. Rather, the film shows the impact of circumstance on choice and the depth of misunderstanding that exists when people inhabit separate realities.
Legacy
Parasite has received numerous awards since its release, establishing it as a technical masterpiece. The film marks a new era in which Korean films and television are receiving newfound fame. Moreover, it’s helping fuel an international dialogue that discusses how diverse societies can communicate universally through storytelling.
Today, it is being taught in film classes, talked about in social studies lessons, and is adored in international film clubs. The film’s reception and Korean Cinema’s growth reinforce the idea that language is not an obstacle in the way of creative storytelling and that fundamental human experiences do not require a detailed explanation.
Conclusion
In a way, it is a film that reflects the diverse aspects of society. The film compels viewers to analyze the life of the people living in close proximity but seldom interact and live in harmony. On the other hand, the film conveys a better sense of a human being through unparalleled narrative composition, direction, and character development.
Of note, the film serves as a reminder to us that movies at their peak can offer an experience that both captivates the mind while also providing enlightenment to the ideas of human existence. It provides an insight not only of the factors that divide humanity, but also the factors that can unite us.
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