Reflect sad reality in the movie- ‘Parasite’

 

It’s also the first Korean film to win the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and personally, I would rate it 9.5 out of 10.

Introduction

Released in 2019 and directed by Bong Joon-ho, Parasite is one of those rare films that feels entertaining and uncomfortable at the same time.

When I first watched it, I expected a well-made thriller because of all the international attention it received. However, what surprised me most was how emotionally realistic the story felt beneath the suspense and dark humor.

Living outside Korea has made me notice something interesting about this movie. Even though Parasite is deeply connected to Korean society, people from completely different countries seem to understand its message immediately. That is probably why the film became such a global phenomenon.

Winning the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and later four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, was a huge moment for Korean cinema. But beyond the awards, the movie remains memorable because of how honestly it portrays inequality, ambition, and human frustration.

2019, by Bong-Joon, Ho

Story

At the center of Parasite are two very different families: the Kim family, struggling financially in a cramped semi-basement apartment, and the wealthy Park family, living in a beautiful modern house high above the city.

Through a series of carefully planned lies, the Kim family slowly becomes involved in the Parks’ household by pretending to be unrelated professionals. At first, the story feels almost playful and comedic, but little by little, the atmosphere becomes darker and far more tense.

One thing I appreciated while rewatching the film was how carefully every visual detail was designed. Director Bong Joon-ho uses space almost like another character in the story. The contrast between underground and above ground spaces quietly reflects the divide between social classes.

The rain scene especially stayed in my mind. For the wealthy family, the rain simply feels relaxing and beautiful. For the poor family, it becomes a disaster that destroys their home overnight. That difference alone explains the film’s message more effectively than long dialogue ever could.

What also makes the movie powerful is that no character feels completely innocent or completely evil. The Kim family makes dishonest choices, but their desperation feels understandable. Meanwhile, the Park family appears polite and generous, yet they remain emotionally distant from the struggles happening around them.

Instead of presenting simple heroes and villains, the film shows how social systems can quietly shape people’s behavior and morality.

Conclusion

Parasite succeeds because it never tries to give easy answers. Rather than directly lecturing the audience about inequality, it allows viewers to experience discomfort naturally through the characters and their choices.

Even years after its release, the film still feels incredibly relevant. The themes of class division, financial pressure, and social distance are not limited to Korea—they exist almost everywhere.

For me, this movie became much more meaningful after living abroad because I realized how universal its emotions really are. Different countries may look different on the surface, but the gap between privilege and struggle is something many people immediately recognize while watching this film.

More than just an award-winning Korean movie, Parasite is a film that continues to start conversations long after it ends, and that is what makes it truly unforgettable.