If you are a ‘victim’ to Hallyu wave, you must be well aware of the pride Koreans (by Korea, I obviously mean South Korea!) take in glorifying their culture in big screen; which should be a lesson for other nations. However the living conditions portrayed in the web series are not all real. But Parasite is. Parasite is rather an extremely deep insight into the lives of lower strata of society.
Parasite is a 2019 South Korean film in the genre- Black comedy. It was directed by Bong Joon Ho. The wealth disparity, social inequality of late capitalism in South Korea has been shown in the movie. The Kim family, residents of a semi-basement do odd jobs to earn their livelihood. Kim Ki-woo, the son of the Kim family is hired as Da-hye’s (daughter of Park family) English tutor. This sets a series of comic events where the whole family plots to get recruited in the house. Kim Ki-jung (Jessica), the daughter of the Kim family who is hired as Da-song’s art therapist. The father Kim Ki-taek is hired as Park Dong Ik’s chauffer and the mother, Chung-sook takes over as the Parks’ housekeeper after the Kims exploit the peach allergy of the long-time housekeeper, Moon-gwang, to convince Mrs Park that she has tuberculosis.
After the Park family leaves for camping trip, Kims are shown enjoying in the living room when Moon-gwang abruptly appears at the door, telling Chung-sook she has left something in the basement. There was a bunker in the basement which was unknown to the Park family and Moon-gwang’s husband had been hiding there; from loan sharks. Things take different turn from this part of story. The sudden arrival of Park family from trip creates commotion and fight between both the parties. Moon-gwang and her husband Geun-sae are tied in the bunker itself and Kims escape somehow, unnoticed by the owners. There is a flood in their street and the family goes to gymnasium to spend the night. The next day Parks decide on throwing birthday party. Meanwhile we discover Moon gwang is dead in the basement because of concussion by the previous night’s fight. Enraged by the wife’s death, Geun-sae escapes and attacks Kim ki-woo. Then goes out at the party spot and stabs Kim Ki-jung. Chung-sook stabs Geun-sae in return. The son of Park family suffers seizure witnessing the events and Mr. Park asks the chauffer Kim Ki-taek to tkae him to hospital. However after seeing how he felt disgusted of Geun-sae, Ki-taek stabs Mr. park and flees.
Weeks later after Kim ki-woo recovers from injuries and discovers his sister is dead and father is missing. He spies on the bunglow which a german family has bought now, in hope to find a clue for his father. Meanwhile the father was at the basement all these time and gives out message every night using Morse code in hope of his son finding him. Ki-woo finally sees this and decodes. The film ends with the son writing a letter to his father that he will earn money and buy that house someday and his father will then be free.
The title of the film comes from the scientific meaning of parasite. However ‘Parasite’ is not only meant for the poor ones but also the rich. They do not know the basic house chores and suck out of the poor for this. How interesting is the cinematography; the partition of rich and poor are shown with literal partitions using subtle division in lines, lighting and angles. Both the families of Kim and Moon-gwang were divided by the dire need of money but united by struggle; Geun-sae hurts all members of Kim taek but when Mr. Park disgusts over Geun-sae’s smell, Kim Taek fumes in anger and stabs Park. The wealth stone gifted by Ki-woo’s friend stands as a symbol of wealth; when he keeps it properly, the family continues to work smoothly as soon as he disregards the stone, they shatter and ultimately Ki-woo is wounded by the same stone on head. This warns that wealth can be the cause of success and fall down. This is evident of the capitalism prevailing in the country. In the end when Ki-woo resolves to earn money, it is out of question this will not come true because of major disparity in rich and poor.
These are some of the major observations. There is a lot more to be discussed. This is a highly recommended movie.
Eduindex News 
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