Parasite: A Mirror to Korean Society                                                                   By- Shivangi SharmaIntroductionParasite is a Korean drama thri

                                                                   By- Shivangi Sharma

 is a Korean drama thriller made in 2019. It changed the view of how people used to think about Korea as a perfect nation. It showcased the harsh reality and dichotomy of the society. It gave the parallel between the higher class and lower class in the same society. How the higher classes and lower-classes people lived under the same roof but still they were miles apart in reality. The realism shown in the film was heart wrenching yet the truth of many people in Korean society.

When we observe Korean economic history, it is based on the concepts of “chaebol” which means family-owned business. People who are born in privilege are getting all the wealth and recognition. The government also supported them, making them all the more powerful. This shows the negative aspect of Korea being a capitalistic society.

In the film, central characters who lived in basement house system were struggling to make ends meet. On the other hand, people who were wealthy, the Park family enjoyed their own world without caring for basic necessity. There is also a very symbolic rain scene where Mr. Kim is driving as Mrs. Park’s driver while she is talking on the cell phone about how rain has been a blessing whereas, we see as audience that how parallels are drawn. On one side Mr. Kim’s family was struggling and were stuck in cramped underground complex of theirs. While Parks were enjoying sitting inside and admiring the rain without its devastating impacts.

Bong Joon-Ho’s screenplay and direction are absurdly brilliant as this film is no fairy-tale, it shows the anarchic reality of life and has some violent scenes by the end of the film. This was an Oscar winning film and it got famous around the world for the reality shown in the movie. Which was relatable as class struggle is universal. Korean culture has a very strong class system and the kind of reality shown in the movie by director Bong is commendable. There was a term “dirt spoon” which became popular in 2015 meaning the underprivileged people. This spoon class theory is what divides upper and lower classes in Korean society.

Cinema of any place has great impact on people but now that impact is more than ever due to globalisation. Audience from around the world and the global popularity that 

 gained compelled Korean government to take initiatives to mend the conditions of underground houses. But in 2022 after the devastation of floods, The Korean government had to think of banning this housing system. This is how cinema impacts politics. This also explains the branding and rebranding of a nation.

 popularity opened the new door of opportunities not only for Korean cinema but for another underrated East Asian cinema. It was a cultural breakthrough as it made history by being the first South Korean Non-English-speaking film to win Best Picture at the academy Awards. This global success is not just a mere spread of Korean culture worldwide rather it can be considered as a strategic opportunity for nation branding. This has led to Korean wave which has also helped Korea to have a leverage in Economy. As global success ultimately leads to popularity and more capital to the nation for better investment in future.

3 Comments