PARASITE (2019) Explained

#parasitemovie #endingexplained
From acclaimed director Bong Joon Ho comes the 2020 Oscar winner for Best Picture PARASITE, chronicling the tale of the lowly Kim family that is able to infiltrate a wealthy family for their own personal gain. We'll be breaking down the film in depth, including its many important themes and overall meanings, as well as looking at the potentially hopeful ending and what it really means.
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[@v-r-o-n4978]

The toilet is raised because this film uses height and depth to symbolise social class. The Kims live below even the toilet, at the level of sewage.

[@Kinos141]

So, that's not a normal thing in Korea? I'm just going off the fact that cultures are different in different countries.

[@prime201]

@@Kinos141 Its a normal thing for people of low socioeconomic class everywhere.

[@memereview305]

My dumbass thought you were talking about North Korea’s Kims

[@v-r-o-n4978]

@@Kinos141 Yes. But stairs are also normal in Korea! It is not that they exist IRL. It is that they have been purposely and frequently used to symbolic effect. There are quite a lot of scenes that take place in the bathroom by the toilet. It is a visual metaphor, much like the ascending and descending of stairs.

[@EsplodingBomb]

This is literally why they have to be raised, if they were built lower sewage would just flow out of them

[@baynechism280]

The kid be like : IT SMELLS LIKE BROKE IN HERE

[@dimashartono1253]

Mr Parker be like

[@weirdtree8611]

I was searching for this comment! Hahah

[@adrienneandcarlie]

F-ing hilarious

[@GlitznGlamourUS]

LOL

[@QuietStorm26]

Blue Ivy be like...

[@blakemasterson9597]

I find it funny that this whole movie could have been avoided if the mom had just said "alright, we'll make sure that your husband is fed and taken care of"

[@kassyvaldez1015]

I know, she could of got paid some extra cash too

[@blakemasterson9597]

Oh yeah. I never thought of it like that. I just thought it was the right thing to do

[@Shanibrook]

Or just not let her in tbh

[@PandaBearBitches]

@@Shanibrook fr if she just didn’t let her in or waited for the family to get home before making that decision then none of this would have happened

[@letmegetuhhh3959]

I think that's a big point of the film tho, the cutthroat attitude amongst people who share a similar situation and how once one of them got the power in the dynamic they were unwilling to share to too scared of letting it go.

[@JV-ck1pu]

"She is a good maid.Flaws? She eats enough for two people."

[@Ladygothii12]

Wait......OHMIGAWD!!!!

[@maxmeza3450]

bruhhh how did I not catch that??

[@mugiwaradevoted]

J V that’s so smart you caught that/remembered

[@charlottew.8460]

When I realised that I was mindblowm

[@greenjohnay]

because the maid and her husband under the stairs are two parasites living off the Parks. basically, she was feeding herself and her husband off of the Parks wealth.

[@FinancialShinanigan]

The Parks having sexual role play of what they perceive poor people to be like, leaving underwear everywhere and doing drugs, shows the disconnection. Kinda like how Gucci sells $870 sneakers that purposefully looks dirty.

[@diegos9753]

Financial Shinanigan are u gonna cry😂

[@bored_potato]

@@diegos9753 whut?

[@reddogpichu]

Greedo why would he cry?

[@themakeupism]

Exactly I seen it as fetishization of the poor, how it’s “exotic” to “slum it”. How being poor is debasing yourself when you are rich. It also implied that mr park probably has been with prostitutes (it’s common for business men to do, some even purposely pick up low end hookers for the extra thrill).

[@cooterscooter3202]

@@themakeupism in Korea and Japan it's pretty common for businessmen to host and entertain clients at bars and whorehouses. Even more so when dealing with VIPs, K/JPOP idol hopefuls are prostituted out by their agencies for these events.

[@reginalannister2262]

Gotta give it to Da-hye, instead of screaming and fainting she's carrying a bleeding grown man on her shoulders. She's pretty hardcore actully and seemingly in love.

[@Buggabones]

But how did she get him? If she found him in the basement then she saw the wide open door? Wouldnt she tell someone that

[@christalcavanaugh]

Buggabones he might have crawled up the stairs so she didn’t go all the way down where the door was. It would make more sense that she found him if he was in the kitchen than the basement

[@eddie8409]

@@christalcavanaugh I don't think that'd br possible as Kevin had a rock smack his head at least twice, maybe she just didn't want to think about it. That's a pretty traumatic situation as she found her boyfriend covered in blood and her father and possibly her brother died.

[@BBand3DG]

He was in the kitchen when he got his head smashed. He almost escaped when the guy caught him.

[@user-xw3bn3cl8q]

The guy from the basement closed the cabinet door in the basement after drinking plum water. That's why Da-Hye never saw the bunker because the door was already closed. :)

[@paracetamolicecream]

Horror then: zombies, ghosts, monsters... Horror now: society.

[@lemyul]

There is nothing more scarier than personal experience.

[@Morec0]

I wonder if we're desperate to disassociate from the collapse around us so we make it a part of our fiction.

[@sa-amirel-hayeed699]

L'enfer, c'est les autres. -Jean Paul Sartre, Huis Clos Translated, hell is other people, from No Exit by Jean Paul Sartre

[@user-rg2rx8ev7o]

Bro y’all are not philosophers calm down

[@S0ylam3ns0]

We live in a society.

[@FightsRightsAlways]

Another reason why Kevin's "friend" offers him the position as the tutor, is because he doesn't believe that Kevin will cross the line to try and get the girl, because he's poor. He wants to control the situation for his own benefit. If other university tutors would have come and taken a shot at her, they could take it, and he couldn't do anything about it. But his friend, who isn't in school and who's not rich, is perfect for the job. Everything he did was for his own benefit.

[@nunyabiznes33]

Even the rock is fake

[@thanosloves_fortnite]

@@nunyabiznes33 why do you think the rock was fake

[@nunyabiznes33]

@@thanosloves_fortnite I think it's a production mistake. Many however put out theories about it.

[@sleepae]

@@thanosloves_fortnite 1. as ki-woo entered his flooded home he saw the rock floating on the sewer water, obviously any type of rock would not. 2. ki-woo was bashed in the head twice by the previous maid’s husband and seemed to still be alive, usually the trauma delivered by a rock would be enough to kill someone.

[@abdr3941]

@@sleepae The rock was fake because At the end when you see Ki woo getting rich and his father can finally come up from the basement It was actually his imagination (which the rock portrayed) The rock was fake so the scenes that came afterwards It was all fake And also there was a song playing (Korean) in which there was a line which said Meaning: for a poor guy to reach this level would take 934(i dont remember) years which means even if Ki woo worked his a** off he still couldt buy the mension

[@lawcane]

She can't do the dishes because she grew up rich, married rich and has had a life of housekeepers her whole life. She never learned how to boil ramen noodles or wash a glass. She's incredibly naive, but she isn't a drug addict. The 'buy me drugs' line was role play.

[@snoopdeckin]

that's what kim says rich people are naive

[@lawcane]

@@snoopdeckin It's why they are nice also. A lesser version of this movie would have made the rich family out to be cruel.

[@crieverytim]

@marrues ham you're disgusting

[@e.martinz5945]

So she knows what roleplay is but she's "naive".....

[@sqbrazy3283]

No I belieave she’s on drugs look at the way she behaves she’s simple causes she always high like that one scenes where the house keeper had to wake her up by slapping her hands and the wife jumped right up that’s how people who do bills are

[@mekhikigozi5589]

I think I’ve watched more Ending Explaineds than actual movies

[@rcola6235]

Being on a budget is great.

[@miabellisima]

Ain't that the truth for me. Broke AF 😂

[@weed3728]

Mek Kig the accuracy

[@megaduckwen]

This is a movie you should watch though.

[@justice7891]

Great for horror movies

[@anxiousleighwaiting]

I was not prepared for the "ghost" flashback scene and it scared me so badly i was terrified they would show it again

[@GGKittyXO]

I didn't see the ghost flashback scene too well when I watched it, didn't even really see the "ghost". But watching this and seeing it so clearly I nearly shit myself lmao

[@korogamerepic1205]

How the actual fuck did they get him to be so damn terrifying

[@maragorgeous2495]

That scene traumatized me. I once got a nightmare about it

[@barabara9855]

I laughed, his facial expression was hilarious

[@maragorgeous2495]

TunTun it’s the scene where the little boy is eating the cake in the kitchen and while he was eating the cake, he sees bulging eyes staring at him

[@baconbenji]

Why isn't anyone talking about when Mr. Park is asked if he loves his wife he's like "yeah you can call it 'love'"?

[@GGKittyXO]

RIGHT? I got this vibe from the rich family that they don't really care about each other on a deeper level. Mr. Park sees his wife as incompetent with housework and the like, but she's obviously younger than him and attractive. She's a trophy wife. Their daughter seems like she often times doesn't want much to do with them, seemingly always on her phone and even having that outburst about how her brother's art is all an act. The boy is probably the only real innocent one there, being influenced and groomed into that exploitative position from his family, he doesn't know anything different. But their relationships don't seem genuine, even to mother to son or mother to daughter. Mrs. Park threw a little boy an extravagant party for his birthday with adult guests, her friends and I'm sure her husband's colleagues. It wasn't REALLY for her son, it was for her to flaunt her wealth and status while also parading "Look how good of a mom I am!" Even though all she did was plan it, she didn't actually do any of the work. She's also very unaware about her daughter's relationship with Kevin. Yes, they're hiding it, but she doesn't seem very active in her daughter's life at all.

[@GGKittyXO]

I'm not flat, stop asking what... I didn’t say anything about the poor father and the rich father

[@hellodumplings8564]

I'm not flat, stop asking bitch are you stupid?

[@Fae_van]

@@GGKittyXO remember when the mom was eating noodles because the little boy didn't want it? And then her daughter got mad saying something along the lines of "you didn't ask me if I wanted noodles, you asked Da-Song and dad but they didn't want it so you ate it all without even asking if I wanted it" yea this kinda backs you up on how the rich family are rather cold towards each other.

[@snowy3287]

R. Tolmach Ms.Park isn’t getting exploited at all😭😭do you see her lifestyle if all she needs to do is act as a trophy wife to be able to live that extremely comfortable lifestyle instead of working a hard job like owning a buissnes or going to college 😹

[@bubarimalmeida6485]

the creator of the movie already confirmed the ending of the movie will never happen, the song that plays in the end credit scene talks about how long he will have to work to buy the house.

[@kurnh6685]

I thought it wouldn't happen because the dad said something like plans never work before all the shit went down at the house.

[@ayushtyagi1673]

But he also said he is a bright kid he will came up with something to rescue his father

[@gekota7325]

@@ayushtyagi1673 that doesnt matter, it will take around 700 years of work for kevin to save enough money to buy the house

[@winter9242]

Could I see the link where the creator confirmed it?

[@loza.-.]

let me have hope anyway

[@BobbyL80123]

The kid's sense of smell is much better than his paintings. He can smell poverty!

[@Marnige]

Its more like he havent went out that much to experience different smells in life.

[@Roger-ob2ft]

The whole family smelled it , They live in a 100% cleaned home whilst the other family lived in dirt.

[@nreh7653]

It is not the poverty the kid is smelling. I think it is more about the actual foul smell that is from Kims family living in the underground damp house. Those houses tend to grow moles since no sun exposure.

[@BobbyL80123]

@@nreh7653 yes, that's what i meant. He can smell the conditions under which poor people live.

[@muharemmuhic3659]

I think that his paintings are actually self-portraits of the man he saw when he got traumatised. I might be wrong tho.

[@Vic-Valentine]

lol the scene of the "ghost" sending the boy into a seizure episode almost did the same to me damn man

[@bruhmoment2305]

Look like scp 106

[@brayanpipipopo]

You know what's cooler? Apparently the director from this movie is working on a Korean Horror film, judging by that scene, this project has a lot of potential.

[@markjustdiditc]

for some reason when i watched that scene i bursted out laughing so hard

[@aintnobodylikeu]

LMAO HAHAHAHAHHA

[@julie717]

literally had to turn it off and watch the rest later.. that guys eyes are permanently embedded into my brain

[@B-Mag]

one thing that stuck to me is when Jessica is told that she would fit into the life of luxury but at the end, she is the only one who would never experience that life

[@musicf3b]

@@keee99099 It also could be that she’s a young woman who could be married off to a rich man, like I assume the rich mother may have been.

[@cawo7449]

None of them would

[@zapazap]

Not so. _None_ if the Kims would experience that life. Cheers! :)

[@zapazap]

@@keee99099 The film portrays Mr. Park as a dick, not a ruthless monster. You may certainly bring your belief that only a ruthless monster could own such a house, but the movie does not entail it Cheers! :)

[@brodypenn]

If only they never let the old housekeeper in.

[@user-kh9ki3kq8m]

Brody Penn or they just didn’t fuck her over and worked with her. if they didn’t let her in her husband would starve to death.

[@rosemorningstar5368]

@@user-kh9ki3kq8m YESSSS!!! I felt this so hard!!! The poor literally killing each other to be exploited into receiving the scraps of the rich. If they had only worked together they could have just killed the richies at the party and all lived in that house together in bliss. But no.... Even Moon lived with this illusion that the architect gave two shits about her which I'm sure he didn't because she's been working there longer than he himself lived there and is still poor. It's the same mentality that a conservative working class midwesterner illusioned themselves with thinking that a rich dirt bag like Trump loves and cares about them and will make them great again.... That maybe one day they could even be like Trump as well.... Nope. Never going to happen.

[@user-kh9ki3kq8m]

Rose Morningstar it’s the same mentality of people who say “i support billionaires because that could be any of us one day!!!”

[@user-gk9ut3mm1f]

@My Dude He was not only a parasite to the family up above, but his wife as well. Didn't contribute shit, just took took and took.

[@chasebarber10]

@@user-kh9ki3kq8m but if you think further, it was also still the rich family's fault. They let her go based on no actual proof of anything. They only had to manipulate their existing snooty prejudices

[@zeke1600wxng]

When kevin found out the stone in the flood he realized his bestfriend even look down on him because it was a fake stone. hes friend only wanted him to tutor her because he knows kevin is poor and he wouldnt stand a chance to start a relationship with his status.

[@ReelJV]

Fun fact: The stone was never intentionally supposed to float -- apparently that just happened (as it is a prop in reality) and Bong Jo Hoon thought it was actually cool and decided to keep it in the movie. So as much meaning as you'd like it to have, it might not extend to that specific meaning.

[@mine213]

This is why english majors are useless people. Over interpreting shit thats not even there. And the latter statement were explicitly said in the movie.

[@tsarivantheterrible1256]

A Z english majors are very useful, dk wtf you’re on about 😂

[@ToastyJunebugs]

In the scene where he's asking him to tutor her and he asks "Why ask me" and he replies "Well, you know..." I thought it was saying the son was gay. No. Just poor.

[@weirdtree8611]

@@mine213 well would you look at that slippery slope fallacy 😂

[@isamalfoy8120]

i find the whole cake symbol so interesting. the creepy basement dude lost all of his money trying to open a cake shop. he then scared the little boy as he was eating a cake, giving him a seizure. and finally, when he stabs jessica, he's plunged in the face with a cake. i dont know what it all means but THERE'S CLEARLY MEANING THERE

[@primaveramugabi5328]

I think the cake overall resembles a good life, the dad put his whole safety into getting a good job and life for him and his wife, he scarred the little boy in his perfect world and while he got out and stabbed someone the cake got into his face resembling there's no way he'll ever get it

[@thechadchampion]

The cake is a lie.

[@maeg.9123]

and in the begining the poor family mentions scamming a cake shop... around the thirty minute mark they mention a Taiwan cake shop and then later the housekeepers husband mentions a Taiwan cake shop... hmmm

[@maeg.9123]

@@thechadchampion portals are wonderful arent they chell

[@isamalfoy8120]

@@maeg.9123 oh shitttt i missed that!

[@talkative2680]

The sausage skewer scene- Sausages are the unwanted parts of a pig when Geun-sae is stabbed with the skewer, it is reflective of how he is an unwanted part of society. Another point, Korean subways are MUCH nicer than American ones- cleaner and a popular form of transportation since Korea is very small. This could be reflective of how much the rich family is ignorant of how the poorer class. Also, this is my theory, but it's apparent Da-hye feels ignored in her family- that her younger brother is more favored (when she was complaining about how no one asked her is she wanted ramen). This is could be reflective of how Korean society is very patriarchal (favoring the sons, and often ignoring the daughters). Perhaps that is why she clings to the tutors- because they show her attention she wants.

[@AllfatherBlack]

oh, such a great catch on the sausage thing. Da-hye feels like she couldve used more screentime

[@healthykrissy212]

I loooove your insight on this!

[@ronanmccabe8157]

Another reason why they think the subway is dirty is because they've probably never used it in their lives considering how rich they are

[@Stormshawty]

Anyone realize the painting that the little boy made was of the basement dweller?

[@jov4lyfe633]

Kyle Yugucci just realized it!

[@anar.3281]

How? ?

[@janicemoriarty2578]

And unknowingly making him the member of the family as well, hanging there with the portraits of the park family😅

[@nickz2147]

I mean 18:40 was scary af no wonder that kids weird.

[@AMA-bg3bn]

OH SHIT

[@DaintyDandelion2909]

When Kevin found the rock, it floats indicates that the rock is fake as well as the delusional about the luxurious life they are hoping for Edit: and that's also the reason why he didn't die when the man smashed the rock on to Kevin's head

[@NguyenNguyen-xv8li]

That's fucking amazing

[@suoerheri]

Bong Joon stated that he didnt mean for the rock to float but kept it in the take anyway, nevertheless the theme of false hope is still relevant in the film

[@TasX]

@@suoerheri Accidental blessings like this

[@kayladjeje4373]

Why did his head bleed so severely and the rock fall so hard down the stairs if it was fake

[@PETBOY]

There are many interpretations of stones. Living the last rich house is a dream. You can see that Kevin's lips are smile slightly when dreaming. And if you look closely at the beginning of the movie, the kim family ignores the PC room worker, and the pizza worker ignores the family. There are act out of line. This is an important topic of the movie. 1.Kane's stone is no different from other stones (discarded in a valley) 2. The rich man's dignity is just a virtual image from the wealth, and the other side was nothing different. His business is (virtuality machine seller.) 3. The lower class dreams of earning money, but they make can't plans. there are Fails.

[@meianoite2184]

The movie made me cry and realize so much about life.. like damn especially during this time, the rich are all comfortable in their homes while the poor are struggling to survive each day... Makes me realize how lucky I am to be able to live a normal life

[@monchi9000]

Please, dont say that as if rich people dont deserve to be like that. The bad thing is that poor people are living in shitty conditions(most of the time because of government manipulation to make them stay poor) that people with money live as they deserve. Maybe you didnt want to mean that, but it was subconsciuos.

[@idonthaveagoodideaforaname7572]

@@monchi9000 many people work hard in physical conditions that are dangerous and getting little pay while the rich people click on a computer and get millions of dollars

[@monchi9000]

​@@idonthaveagoodideaforaname7572 That has nothing to do with what i said. People get millions "making clicks on a computer" because they have a job that open that possibility, you wouldnt say that about artists like Van Gogh even that their job is less dangerous. Even this KZbin channel (at this point i would suppose this channel makes a lot of money) and your job are less dangerous but you dont say anything, as i said in my first comment, the main problem isnt rich people (im not talking about jeff bezos or billionaries) the main problem is that most of the governments want you to stay poor or doesnt give you the chance to make a progress in life.

[@idonthaveagoodideaforaname7572]

@@monchi9000 did I say the problem was rich people I was just adding something to support your post and maybe you saw it differently

[@michalblasko8740]

@@monchi9000 what job gets you milions by just clicking ? Wtf are you talking about

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

One of the films that I enjoyed in 2019. Parasite deserved all of the awards that it got. It’s a phenomenal film.

[@bichen-up-ur]

I think it deserves even more recognition

[@kaminaridenki6833]

Yep

[@ggeznoreff5619]

honestly one of the best movies I have ever seen if not the best.

[@isbejeheihe454]

What do u not watch that I watch?

[@geniegenie]

You're everywhere 😵😵😵

[@Allonsy305]

The "buy me drugs" quote (and the sex scene) was used because it was thematically relevant. Both Mr. & Mrs. Park were disgusted by the thought of the previous driver having sex and doing drugs in his car, yet they both fetishisize the idea. I thought she was on drugs at first too, but I came to realization that she doesn't have to lift not one finger in the house, including interacting with her own kids, the most she does or can do is just laze around.

[@Dradeeus]

Wow, that's a really good point. I didn't catch that they were fetishizing the poor in that scene. Maybe thinking that's 'dirty.'

[@janedoe5836]

Yeah I definitely got that fetishization vibe as well, particularly with how the panties are specifically described as being "cheap" and if the wife wears them that would turn the husband on. I'd imagine the wife has a great many underwear, but likely all high end, therefore the idea of her wearing something so "lower" can be seen as taboo and naughty. It demonstrates another way in which these wealthy people are condescending towards the lower class and by using it in roll play they essentially are making fun of the hardship others have to deal with like being addicted to drugs.

[@bryh555]

Ya this was how I read it. When he asked if she still had the panties he found in his car, it was followed by her asking for drugs it was definitely a role play thing

[@downthispath6538]

Exactly. It's the same way their son was treating Native American culture, as a form of entertainment for the "aesthetics", not really understanding the true meaning of it but simply something he can enjoy by shooting arrows around the house, acting like a savage and camping out in the rain. It's this idea of "living" through something that they never have to fear - being poor - that they can roleplay it. It's the disconnect that rich people have from the real lives of people that aren't them.

[@LowDownDirtyDev]

Yea I peeped that during the couch sex scene. She wanted to be treated like a drugged out low life in that moment. Smh. Loved this movie

[@ryuuichiwu3662]

The ending + the realization that Ki-Woo would never see his dad again had me sitting and staring at a wall for 30 minutes after I got home from the theater

[@GODCONVOYPRIME]

Why?

[@Heyitskrystal]

Because it’s horribly tragic and sad. Did you really need to ask?

[@Heyitskrystal]

Same. That part broke me after watching the film. It was almost worse him knowing where his father is because now all he has in hope for something that will never happen,

[@saladass7263]

As Pooped By Anakin Skywalker Well Ki-Woo writes a plan to get enough money and buy the mansion to see his dad again. But his dad already mentioned that the best plan is no plan. Hence Ki-woo’s plan will never happen. The director also mentioned that the final song rolling through credits was to signify that it will take 545 years (somewhere around that amount) To make enough money to buy a mansion like that. That’s why it’s sad that we’ll never see the happy ending, happen.

[@ayushtyagi1673]

But director said he is a bright child he will came up with something to rescue his father

[@BlackSwanN98]

I can't help but realise that they could've save their asses if they just stop with the replacement plans once Kevin and Jessica got their jobs and save some money for the entire family but their greediness led them to just eat from restaurants from their earnings and just go with their plan of getting all the money from the Parks.

[@healthykrissy212]

I was thinking like this as well but that’s how poverty works. When you’ve lived that lifestyle for so long the minute you get a taste of something better greed kicks in

[@sophieheid4464]

@@healthykrissy212 Everyone wants to live a nice life so when you have the opportunity, why not indulge from time to time? Of course drinking the Parks’ alcohol and making a mess wasn’t smart but they were drunk so that could explain that part.

[@QuangTran27]

they couldn't even buy themselves a decent house. How stupid of them since they're earning good money.

[@thetinykid4169]

@@QuangTran27 They were poor, they just started getting good jobs and money. It's not that simple to just "buy a decent house". They would need better credit and enough money to pay off any bills+ save for the down payment. Being poor isn't easy and just getting a semi-stable job doesnt automatically give you the mobility to be apart of the middle class or even upper lower class.

[@ritaturner9906]

I thought they could have stopped after Kevin. Yes, be grateful

[@lilyraimey3499]

It’s so messed up that the cake that was supposed to fix the kid’s trauma was literally one of the most prominent parts of the most traumatic event he had yet to experience.

[@dominicarroyo6269]

Facts cause both times he had cake something traumatic happened to him, scaring him enough to go into a full seizure. Lmao he's never gonna touch or even look at a piece of cake for the rest of his life at this point

[@Heycoolname123]

The whole “smell of poor” thing is something I actually really like that’s mentioned. My favorite joke to tell is that when I walk into fancier stores, like Macy’s, I say that “they smell the poor on me”.

[@aikaterineillt9876]

Macy’s ain’t fancy, everyone has to walk out of the mall through a Macy’s at some point. Just stay away from the makeup counters.

[@VenomKpp]

I thought his "poor smell," deal in this review was a super reach. The Kims were swimming in sewage water and the other guy was living underground for 4 years and probably never washed his clothes..but yeah lol it was because they had a poor smell.

[@tuffy135ify]

Yo, don't go into a Nordstrom's.

[@xeva4474]

@@VenomKpp They mentioned they washed their laundry in the movie. The son actually mentions that they all smell the same, which caused a discussion with the Kim family on whether they should all use different soap and detergent. However, they only really noticed it with the Ki-Taek, the father. They also only swam in sewage water near the end, and they mentioned the smell before that.

[@VenomKpp]

@@xeva4474 Then they use the same cheap detergent...but lets go with the "they smell poor." When I heard the kid say they smell the same I thought detergent not that the kid had some clairvoyance and could smell the poorness.

[@benderbendingrodriguez420]

I will never get over the scene of the reveal what traumatized Da-Song as a child. THOSE EYES!!!!! 👀

[@Sims_Manic]

Itzmbd what traumatized da-song?

[@bleepbloop8081]

@@Sims_Manic Da-Song was terrfied by the past housekeeper's husband, Gun-Se (he had been hiding out in the underground bunker of the house ever since his wife was employed in the house). The area of the bunker is connected to the Pantry. Da-Song decided to sneak to the kitchen and have a share of his birthday cake that night, while Gun-Se was about to go into the kitchen to steal some food. Thus, frightening the child.

[@ogswavey]

lol

[@gwendalynnwatkins1296]

Poor kid, though, that's two early birthdays ruined by some terrifying event

[@helterskeletors]

yea i didn’t sleep for a while after that lol

[@imyourhopeimyourangel6234]

One thing I also notice is that, when dasong smelled the mom, dad, and sister. He said they all smell the same (smells of poor) but he doesn't include Kevin. So maybe, Kevin's plan of being successful and buying the house might be possible.

[@ciciolhaaqui]

I noticed that too...

[@massojupiter3436]

It's more that since he has been hanging around the daughter, he has probably rubber her smell on him.

[@breannajoseph2018]

@@massojupiter3436 because the smell is so strong the daughter would smell like kevin not the other way around

[@Black_Blow_Fly]

The director said it would take 562 years for him to save enough money. 😀

[@freezysyahz]

@@Black_Blow_Fly 😮 how?!

[@thebarringtonTV]

One detail I caught is the significance of Kevin dropping the rock down the stairs. This could symbolize "rock-bottom", because right as this happens, the entire of dynamic of the film changes for the worst.

[@maeg.9123]

also it rolls like the housekeeper did...

[@graveraider1029]

Also his dad told him to never make a plan because it never works out how you wanted it to.

[@doom1281995]

The wife actually paid Kevin less than the previous tutor. In the movie, she thought about it for a while then decided to keep the envelope thin.

[@christalcavanaugh]

What? I swore she said she was paying the same AND accounting for inflation? Did I misunderstand that part?

[@doom1281995]

Emily Geier yes, she did said that. But before handing him the money she took out more than half of it. You can watch it again.

[@janicemoriarty2578]

Exactly she takes out two of the biggest Bill's and closes the envelope

[@vivsandy22]

For her drugs.

[@hb2434]

Vivian BUY ME DRUGS

[@KaylaTitherington]

One big detail I caught was that when the rich mother and poor father drive home from the grocery store, the father overheard the mother say that the rain (the same rain that flooded and destroyed the Kim’s family’s home) was a blessing because it cleared the grass or something of that sort. An eye-opening thing in regards to people of the higher class becoming blind to the harsh realities the lower class face

[@curlyhairedkayla8239]

Kayla Titherington good catch!

[@rosemorningstar5368]

I caught this!!! She's blessing the rain so they could come home and have a big party with all their richy friends all while not even giving a shit that the person driving her around and picking up hors d'oeuvres had his life destroyed by the rain and all the sympathy she could muster was holding her nose to the smell.

[@xavierjones6048]

@@rosemorningstar5368 Well it's not like she knew what happened to him. Though... if she did I dont think she would care anyways...🤔

[@jaynetolentino6566]

It's literally happening right now. The rich are enjoying the free time due to the quarantine while the poor are struggling to get their next meal, heartbreaking.

[@xavierjones6048]

@@jaynetolentino6566 I'm definitely not rich but I'm straight chilling. And that is true some people are out here struggling cause everything is closed. I'm about to start struggling too.😥🤞

[@notoriousn.e.g5671]

The kid didn't faint. He had a seizure. They needed to get to the emergency room in less than 15 minutes.

[@IzWarped]

@_K I L L E R • Q U E E N_ If he just fainted they wouldn't of been in such a rush to get him to the hospital, he just got another seizure like during first grade

[@emi3486]

yea the only part i disagreed about was that, im pretty sure most ppl would attend to their family members/loved ones who are in need of help first, no matter how severe of a condition other ppl are in there were other ppl around so the dad prob thought someone else would help the others and decided to take care of his own son first, not to mention that he's a very young kid

[@TheDevilDarling]

@_K I L L E R • Q U E E N_ Not all seizures are grand mal seizures, there are different types of seizures some that don't involve convulsions at all.

[@nunyabiznes33]

@_K I L L E R • Q U E E N_ I had a cousin who was epileptic. His mouth don't always foam when he gets a seizure.

[@marlene9455]

@_K I L L E R • Q U E E N_ I’m epileptic. There are different types of seizures. I don’t get a Grand Mal seizure as you explained. My usual seizures are completely different. I just wanted to inform you that there are different types.

[@bethany8379]

I just realized every time Da-song tries to have a birthday party it's tragic. - Camping Ruined - Impromptu Party Ruined -The fridge incident on his previous party ruined. Is that supposed to mean something? Can someone answer please.

[@axothylest4417]

"impromptu" the girl he's been befriending for like a month bets stabbed in front of him lol

[@makstod6903]

Maybe like the saying: "money doesn't buy everything", even though he was born into luxury, the world is stronger than only material things, there's more to joy then objects, you can not control the force of nature.

[@AllfatherBlack]

perhaps that the rich will never escape the reality of the poor being around. at least, until they automate agriculture and then murder us all with drone swarms

[@graveraider1029]

it shows the kid will keep reliving his trauma from being in that family to begin with

[@fishlordusername891]

If you try to plan something, life never works out that way.

[@msxu174]

For me, once the Dad stabbed the guy with the knife, it represented to me that the parasite has finally killed or detached himself from the host.

[@hi.4611]

msxu 17 hmm, could you explain further? who exactly is the parasite in that scenario? the rich father or the poor?

[@hatemkamel6039]

Jada A. Lee more like both

[@msxu174]

Jada A. Lee it could be viewed as both since both parties did use each other. Moreover once the Dad stabbed the other guy, he in a literal way, was freed from his responsibilities as a driver. And metaphorically the dad detached himself from the host, no longer needing a host to survive

[@thefourthreich2039]

Or just like a host killed the parasite

[@miphasgrace8980]

Exactly. He killed off his first host mr park and moved onto his next one, the German family

[@fotisf11]

Dear Foundflix. The toilet is not "raised". Their house is "beneath" the toilet. That's Bong Joon Ho

[@qazielynn2580]

The deliberate placing and hidden messages that Bong Joon Ho did are spectacular. Considering the fact that he had all the setting made is mind blowing. I always thought the toilet was weird and that maybe that was a Korean thing but it was all on purpose! Amazing!

[@benicus18]

Very clever and subtle social commentary

[@maeg.9123]

also in the beginning they can only get wifi from that point in the house.

[@zapazap]

It's probably below the municipal sewer line. To connect with a lower toilet would require installation if a sewer lift -- a pretty costly expenditure.

[@tobiaslawrence8928]

I think it shows that the toilet has more importance that them. Given the fact that plumbing is useful.

[@makstod6903]

When Kevin went after the guy that was pissing by their window, he grabed the "money rock", now when he posses money, he is above the drunk dude. Where as before he didn't act. Also when he attacked the house keepers husband he brought and used the rock, he relys on it, his new strength and courage comes from money - the rock. And when the guy from the basement hit him in the head with it, that explains that "the money got to his head".

[@Titan-fk2fi]

Interesting but to me that thought is rather shallow

[@tbr_hoarder]

The letter in the end is a plan to get his father out of the basement, but just like his father said earlier, "if you make a plan, life never works out that way."

[@justaguywholikesanime9555]

This smell thing in the movie has some truth in it, not necessarily smelling poor, but people smell differently based on their diet, lifestyle, location, etc.

[@RatatRatR]

And being able to afford whole regimens of hygiene products.

[@hereticsshallbecleansed7245]

Also pheremones. a huge indicator of attraction.

[@Hallishma_Lourth_]

@@hereticsshallbecleansed7245 can you elaborate more? i'm curious!

[@midgematic8659]

Hallish Mahy Im not completely sure how class and location affects pheromones, but yes, humans do emit pheromones! Sometimes it doesnt matter how much someone focuses on their hygiene, the pheromones they give off will set certain people off. Its a part of humans that refuses to evolve along with the rest of the brain and body; a person’s scent will both attract and detract others. I wouldnt really worry about it however, its more or less just a self-defense system, you dont even really notice it unless you actively smell for it

[@GetUnwoke]

it's observable in real life. It's that certain air that rich/poor people carry, in the film they made it a literal scent.

[@FinancialShinanigan]

So many social themes: Min picked Kiwoo because he knows the girl won't find his poor status attractive so is safer pick than his wealthy college bros. The mom doesn't check Kiwoo's resume but hires him because of Min's recommendation, nepotism at its finest.

[@theobsessivecompulsivegame9078]

Not nepotism, crony capitalism.

[@ashb89]

@thebestever475 lol no.

[@_Azagoth_]

I feel like because of this social commentary lens people look at that "nepotism" in an overly harsh light. would you rather filter through hundreds of applications or try out the recommendation from someone you know and trust?

[@kelechiojobor933]

The Obsessive Compulsive Gamer has nothing to do with capitalism is just human nature,no matter what economic system you find yourself

[@ashb89]

@thebestever475 no I'm not Bernie Sanders

[@dfailsthemost]

I think Kevin was just laughing at the absurdity of the horror.

[@ciciolhaaqui]

Totally agree !

[@dfailsthemost]

@Ocean Blue I might laugh too. I would imagine my sister laughing with me. But we are weird like that. Often laugh at the most painful tragedies.

[@MissCracker]

I felt like the fights between the former housekeeper and the family was a symbol for inner class conflict

[@Hasan_Piker_Fan]

You don't say 🤔

[@chi7087]

Doesn’t the “buy me drugs” line have to do with her husband telling her he believes that a woman who forgets her panties in a car after having sex must be on drugs?

[@Miwatt]

@TOrens no need to be rude

[@Miwatt]

OH GOD IM SIMPING BROTHER PUT ME DOWN

[@chi7087]

TOrens The person who made the video kept saying he didn’t know why she made the drug reference. I posted hoping to get insight from others to ensure if my thoughts were correct. Stop playing in my fucking face, loser.

[@AllThatGlitter224]

@@chi7087 it has to do with them fetishizing poor people, for some reason that got them off. They also referred to the underwear in the old drivers car and for some reason the thing that turned them on enough to end up touching each other was them talking about the train

[@mish730]

TOrens no need to be annoying

[@carolinealba2598]

I also noticed that the dad did exactly as his wife said he would. When the family was talking about what they would do if or when "shit hit the fan," that he would run just like a cockroach and that is what he did after stabbing guy.

[@AMA-bg3bn]

Caroline Alba that’s true... and he ended up living like a roach the rest of his life

[@carolinealba2598]

@@AMA-bg3bn Yeah, that's true too. :/

[@theb0ys429]

6rrrjjmjn. Bi hugo Kyi 7j he tut hit cr fry b

[@rosemorningstar5368]

Ok but remember when he pretended like he was gonna hurt the mom and said he was just joking? He was showing he wasn't going to actually live like a roach if given the choice. Does a roach one day say they've had enough of living off of scraps and kill a human? No. But when shit hit the fan and he was given the choice to either help out the rich dad, effectively continuing to live like a roach, he stopped pretending and killed the rich dad. Sure he had to go into hiding, but he would have been hiding either way and he knew that. At least he did it on his own terms and stood up for himself. Even if that meant having to hide because the law wouldn't care about him but instead persecute him.

[@phoenixmunro1992]

Also resembled a roach when escaping the living room. His wife said "as soon as they turn on the light...."

[@bio4210]

The ramen that she asks to make is called "chappaguri" which is a popular combination of two budget noodle brands to which a very expensive cut of Korean beef is added. This addition is overly lavish and is another allegory for the social divide. Just thought this was really cool.

[@mr.depression9140]

"She always ate enough food for two"

[@Moriartart]

I just realized it was for the husband -

[@guneetrajan7377]

Omg 😱😱

[@urlocal.antisocial]

Omfg u are smart af...that was such a big Easter egg and I didn't even notice 😭😭😭😭

[@bri-kh2mh]

😲😲

[@Noperare]

Can we talk about how it shows that poor people will throw each other under the bus for the chance of getting some scraps from the rich? The same way that rich people backstabing each other to reach the top. It is not just "the poor vs the rich" it is "me (and the people I care) vs the world". Being a parasite is not a matter of class, it is about seeing people as objects, like obstacles or disposable tools.

[@Garthorium]

Interesting because I also interpreted visual representation for at least 7 out of the 9 deadly sins: Limbo: The state both the families begin in. Lust: Possibly linked with the whole panty thing and getting frisky. Gluttony: The wealthy family and their glutton for the party and material possession/wealth. Greed: Self evident. Wrath: The father after he commits murder. Violence: Obviously the party scene. Fraud: The poor family lying to infiltrate the wealthy one. The only two I can't think of an example off the top of my head for would be Heresy and Treachery, though I feel like heresy may be linked to the stone. Your comment got my head jogging a little, I felt like I had to type it out quickly, so forgive me for forgetting the family names :p

[@iramswrestlinghighlights1164]

The movie sucks. Capitalism is good.

[@saffron3113]

@@iramswrestlinghighlights1164 I consider myself pro capitalist unlike alot of the commentators here. Why does it have to suck? Its solid film making. Why not just enjoy the movie?

[@iramswrestlinghighlights1164]

@@saffron3113 I don't not like the movie because to me it was a terrible movie that didn't know what it wanted to be. Not funny, nor interesting, nor scary, nor were the 'twists' shocking and unpredictable. Nothing to do with the message my guy. I couldn't care less what a filmmaker has to say about the world.

[@nunaballona6434]

@@iramswrestlinghighlights1164 "Capitalism is good" said no one ever who lived in a tiny apartment underground that flooded every time it rained hard.

[@jjs8095]

The actor of the basement guy (Park Myung-Hoon) said that Director Bong made Park’s father the first audience of the movie before the movie was released officially. Park’s father has suffered from an illness, but he wished he could watch the film before something happened to him. Also, the father was a big fan of Director Bong. Director Bong decided that Park’s father watched the movie privately with his son, Director Bong, and other staffs before the movie was premiered officially. Now his father is blind, but he was happy he could watch Parasite before he got blind. Director Bong is not just a great film maker, but also he is a great man!

[@TheKingOfWaves]

JJ S That’s amazing

[@AMA-bg3bn]

that is beautiful.... i’m sad now

[@seiyuokamihimura5082]

Dont forget, his name is *BONG* you cant beat a good bong!

[@writeonn1437]

When you also realize the rich wife was more so allowed to be openly emotional at inappropriate times , but if the workers were visibly emotional like the poor father wearing the “tribal hat” birthday scene; then it would be seen more of a act of disrespect.

[@ecddanieldce6753]

Another thing I haven’t seen much on is the way the Kim son very oddly began to manifest himself into his friend Min from the start? Literally repeating his phrases and ideas, romanticising the Park daughter even though he didn’t seem to have any real feelings for her

[@maeg.9123]

they were all acting, becoming, something else to survive. We see from the first five minutes how adaptive the Kim family is; leaving the window open, using the free wifi, and folding the boxes. They have learned to adapt in WHATEVER way is necessary. When it comes to a bug problem or infiltrating and scamming millionaires.

[@JonatasMoraes]

The song played during credits was written by the director and sang by Kevin. The original name was 564 years which is the amount of time he would need to save money to follow what he said on the letter

[@aguerrinha84]

So sad omg

[@hifiveman2]

Sierra think about Kevin’s situation, he’s poor and hopefully thinking that he can work to get to that point. It’s not about being brain damaged or whatever, it’s the mentality a lot of people who find themselves in poverty think. That if they work hard they can get rich like all of these people they see when it’s not the case

[@Manganization]

​@@uuuhmmmmm you still need a certain amount of money to even begin an investment of any kind though. It's really not hard to see where he's coming from, and even then he still have to have the required amount of money to purchase the house. Think about the Korean culture. He's a smart kid, but can't pay for university. In that culture, his life is basically significantly harder. And to make matters worse, he's pretty much close to the absolute bottom of the ladder. The money he makes will be to just get by. He literally can't afford anything else, and the storm was supposed to exemplify exactly why saving money will be hard. There's no way out of his lifestyle without something of a miracle, which he blew in this very movie.

[@wiepo18]

The scene where they were running back to their house is kind of like rats running back down to the sewers. All the trash and that it was raining and flooding makes it more similar.

[@breannajoseph2018]

nice catch

[@cosmiccrush22]

Yes they scurried along like the trash they are.

[@Jake-ul8yl]

@@cosmiccrush22 *can you fuck off pls thx* :)

[@benshapiro4625]

@@Jake-ul8ylthey kind of are trash though?

[@vas1779]

lets maybe not compare poor people to rats? thats kinda fucked

[@j.h170]

"So, is this movie supposed to be funny, or tragic?" Bong Joon Ho: Yes.

[@rvoloshchukify]

I found it very telling just how much American culture was in the film. The girl is nicknamed Jessica, the tutor is just given the name Kevin by the rich mother, who doesn't bother to remember his real name, and yet, even in the English lesson, they don't really speak any English. Da-song, the little boy, is obsessed with Native Americans, and his birthday party is Native American themed. Mr. Park and Mr. Kim put on rather culturally insensitive costumes, which embarrasses Mr. Kim. This would certainly be viewed as racist here in the US, and I think adds yet another layer of discomfort to the movie, which must be intentional, considering how detail-oriented Bong Joon-ho is.

[@ollehkacb]

Viewed racist morons, yes

[@JordanBotello]

White bread your name is appropriate smh

[@barabara9855]

And the part where the husband asks if the tent is legit, and the wife says "It's fine, we bought it from the U.S"

[@fudgecake76]

It symbolizes Asia’s obsession with the west and globalization

[@vipushanravi929]

I thought it symbolized how the Parks appropriate things and only take it at surface level for their enjoyment. With the appropriation of native american culture, we saw that the DaSong was enjoying the highly-commercialized version of native american culture; he probably would and will never learn ABOUT the culture. Another example was the weird sex scene thing, where they were roleplaying the driver and what I assume is a drug addict; they were roleplaying something that's far flung from there lives for their enjoyment, knowing they'll never actually be in that situation.

[@Kinos141]

Recommendation is what got them all employed. Like they say, ""it's not what you know, it's who you know."

[@BambiLena666]

True, one of the biggest tricks of modern capitalism, pretending everyone can work their way up the socio-economic ladder if only they work hard and well, but the reality is its about who you know. The dad even says so, when getting a job as the Parks driver, in normal conditions there would be 400 people applying for the job and he would never get the job even tho Mr Parks thinks his driving is amazing. Expensive Universities dont really give you ''the best learning opportunities'' they give you access to contacts. All of this further insures that money and job opportunities remain within a selected group of connected people.

[@loyalty3881]

Facts , my “ boy “ at the time got me a job that I probably wouldn’t have gotten hired for ... why ? Because he put in a good word for me ...

[@JadeAnnabelArt]

My best friend got 4 job opportunites cuz her dad knew everyone in the small town. Meanwhile my families super introverted so I have like, 0 luck, no-one in my family knows anyone x-x

[@ciciolhaaqui]

Yes. Basically how most people get to the top.

[@chris6197]

That's how I got my job actually my cousin recommended me to the job to my boss and she hired me on that recommendation

[@rfrancoi]

03:52 - The "raised" toilet is because they are almost below the sewer lines. Also indicated by men urinating on their home constantly.

[@RedFlyingFox007]

Damn. I didn't catch that

[@willie19s]

where the toilet in rich house placed at the basement which is the most bottom of the house

[@kevcoolkev25]

Also a metaphoric symbol. They are “lower than shit” In a sense, or Atleast viewed that way

[@aki6605]

17:37 that kick was real smooth to be honest xD

[@kurtb1980]

Don't forget that "564 Years," was the original title of the end credit song, which is the number of years Ki-woo would have to work to earn the money to buy the house.

[@Yana-qq7yc]

I read this article about how the koreans that live in those semi basement homes also have the same problem. The floods, the mold stinking up their clothes. The drunks peeing outside, the lack of privacy. It's so sad how for us it's a funny scene when the dad and son are shooing off the drunk or when the Parks 'can smell the poor' off of the Kims, but it's a real struggle.

[@annak4787]

Yeah, my mum lived in exact same conditions. She told me she was very poor but only after i watched parasite and saw the semi basement, i realised how poor she really was.. She told me she would get riduculed by her richer friends for the strange smell that lingered on her, and said she could really relate to Mr kim in that sense. I cried because no one deserves to live like that.

[@BambiLena666]

The scene with the drunk is funny just cause they are both so bad at it. As for the smell and all, I didnt find it funny, but it did make me kinda confused, especially since they were suddenly supposedly making a lot of money and still werent able to get around this. Idk I assumed at least the mom could keep some of her clothes and wash it with the Parks without them noticing. Why do they only notice it on the dad? I thought the smell would be gone after the flood scene and they used donated clothing, but no? The flood scene kinda felt out of place, but knowing this I guess they just wanted to show that its another issue the people living in those conditions have to face.

[@lindaramirez1852]

BambiLena666 maybe it was symbolic for no matter how you dress or look you can’t hide who you really are

[@BambiLena666]

@@lindaramirez1852 I mean sure it is, but the movie is grounded in reality, the Parks arent imagining the smell, its there. So there must be a reason for it in the real world. It did come to my mind that the dad might have some sort of health condition/skin infection since his face is seems red and swollen throughout the movie; which is being left untreated because they dont have the money for it.

[@lindaramirez1852]

BambiLena666 no I mean sorry it was really early when I wrote this but basically they live in a basement and that smell stays and lingers in stuff after a while they live there for emote then two years from what we’re seen so that smells is pretty stuck also if you think about it the parks grew up rich they’ve always had clean homes and good hygiene also imagine using the same soup perfumes and smells for years it’s just all you smell and have so them being poor they must not use perfumes and must opt for cheap detergent as well how they wash their clothes MR .Park speaks about how he smells as if a boiled rag so they must boil their clothes to clean them. Idk sorry it’s long

[@RespectProcess]

I think it was interesting how all the members of the Kim family had their own talents and were appreciated for their ability once finally given a chance to prove themselves. It took some criminal acts to get that chance though.

[@GODCONVOYPRIME]

Was it really criminal? Or was it just playing the system. Things went to shit because they weren't honest. If they were honest things would have ended much happier. The poor lie. That's the lesson learned.

[@RespectProcess]

@@GODCONVOYPRIME pretty sure they almost murdered a woman with peach fuzz

[@crystalsplace7163]

Omega Man That’s with all poor people around the world. Poverty creates talent and drive. But an talents cost money to show. So the best way to get money is crime.

[@davidortiz3094]

@@GODCONVOYPRIME Everyone lies.

[@GODCONVOYPRIME]

@My Thought's thank God your thoughts are wrong.

[@Itariatan]

I do love Ki-jung's last line being "shit". She was honestly my favorite character in the movie and her death made me pretty upset, but at least she didn't go out like a bitch.

[@astro_faze6070]

The twist where his sister died really caught me. I thought she wouldn't

[@chartabona]

26:27 It's heavily implied that the detective who didn't look like a detective and the doctor who didn't look like a doctor are "parasites" as well. The detective isn't really sure how to read someone "the Miranda thing," and the doctor can't explain why "Kevin" is laughing, just that it sometimes happens after brain surgery. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to do a quick Google search on it, which will tell you it's called Pseudobulbar Affect and that it's not uncommon for people that suffer a Traumatic Brain Injury, like say... having your head bashed in with a rock.

[@Natureorganica]

Oh shit you're right. I think that goes pretty deep too. There's more examples of people not being very proficient in whatever profession they have. Maybe implying capitalism is placing all the wrong people in the wrong places or maybe that there's just a ton of parasitical people out there. The rich dad comments on poor dads cornering, implying the previous driver wasn't as good at it, the detective falling down the steps, the rich mom not being able to..well anything. Just a few i can remember.

[@TheMartyandy]

This movie has a lot of emphasis on people getting jobs not through skill, but rather connections. It's perfectly reasonable that the detective and doctors are "qualified" for the job... Just, I think the movie is trying to tell us that they didn't get the job because they're any good, rather they, like many others, got the job because of their connections.

[@saplingAr]

omg

[@SunhatAshTrUsTinJeSuS]

Also when they showed the detective being clumsy.

[@graveraider1029]

​@@TheMartyandy but the family that lied their way through still ended up being good enough for their positions, their work was good enough to where the family didn't even question them

[@nikibronson133]

Literally, no one in parasite was likable. , minus the kids but literally no one. I think that's what made the movie so good. Everything was a moral gray area.

[@FriedAss69]

Jason Woods Hot as well

[@nikibronson133]

@Jason Woods facts

[@powerlifting1012]

What do you mean I thought the park family was a good family they didn't like their smell but they never insulted them for it. Also at the end the dad was trying to save his son from the seizures right. Do then what did the parks do wrong

[@nikibronson133]

@@powerlifting1012 no dude you really missed the point of that movie. Rewatch the video dude because everybody was horrible in that movie. Then being disgusted by the smell or caring about the kid fainting over the two people getting stabbed, he wasn't having seizures he was just fainting, is the whole point. I feel like you missed the point

[@nikibronson133]

@@powerlifting1012 since we're all quarantined rewatch this on parasite and then rewatch the movie lol you are not supposed to side with the rich people either that's why it's called parasite because everybody is the issue

[@StarrChild.]

Everyone points out that the family got greedy by wanting more money but I think they were trying to shoot for "security" rather than greed. The tutoring and art therapy weren't going to go on forever, eventually they'd stop getting that money. But a driver and a housekeeper can last years and be a constant upkeep.

[@shashajenkins]

That ghost scene scared tf outta me. I didnt even notice it in the movie

[@IllegalPriest]

Cake shops were a fad in South Korea. A lot of people opened them up during the craze hoping for success and ended up in more debt when the craze ended quickly.

[@madisoned]

When I first watched the movie, I thought the 2 husbands had worked at the same bankrupted cake shop!

[@IllegalPriest]

madisoned oh I thought so too! I found out about the fad while looking up stuff pertaining to the use of cake in the film.

[@IllegalPriest]

somya choudhary there is definitely subtext and foreshadowing that has to do with cake throughout the film. I’m not great at coming up with exact points of subtext, but feel like I’m alright in sensing it to try and research and hope I come across special insights.

[@oady4778]

when the sister is in the bathtub, the family notices how much she fits in like shes lived there for years. this is why she died first, she was punished for trying to fit in with the rich, trying to be something shes not. the entire family, in fact, is punished physically and mentally for trying to be something their not. also the use of sunshine is equivalent to wealth. in the kims family home their window only allows a little bit of sunshine in, showing that they are poor and in the shadow of poverty. but in the parks family house their window lights up the entire house, showing that they are literally bathing in gold. also when the mother was talking on the phone she says that “money is going good,” showing that they are so rich that they dont even notice the loss of money they are giving to kims. when the kims house gets flooded, they are in the gym. the dad says “the best plan is no plan, because if you have a plan, life will never work out that way.” in the end of the movie kevin says in his note “dad, i have made a plan,” this tells us that he will never be able to save or see his father ever again in the note he also says “all you have to do is walk up the stairs,” this also tells us that he will never get rich enough to buy the house as he cannot walk up the stairs himself the talk of the dads note saying “everytime i go upstairs, i take my life in my hands,” is what the kims family did. they tried to live like the rich and they all held their lives in their hands. but the difference is that the sister lost her life when she was walking up the stairs the father also will never be able to walk upstairs in the light (the light being wealth and also his freedom) because everytime he walks up the stairs he has to do it when the light is off. the rock that kevin has also floated in the sewage scene which tells us that the rock is hollow, signifying false hope that the kims could ever be rich and out of poverty also the first scene and the last is the same, the window then going downwards onto kevin, the only difference is that kevin was holding his phone and in the last hes holding his morse code note, showing that the kims attempt of being like the rich had plunged them more deeper into poverty and lower than where they were before the stairs are a symbol of the line between the rich and the poor. the rich are always going upwards and the poor are always going downwards. notice how the kims family entrance goes downwards and the parks going upwards the way the parks mother is so stupid shows that the rich are so rich that they can afford to be dumb, but the kims are poor so they have to scramble and be smart to get by in life in the fumigation scene, the kims leave their window open to get free bug extermination. this indicated that the kims family would be the first parasite in the movie, as they were already leeching off of the efforts of someone else overall, this was a great movie and had so much symbolism and plot and i love it so much.

[@TheCatloverCG]

You took the words out of my mouth, nice analysis!

[@vktesla]

wait when were they "Literally bathing in gold"...? I think most of the other stuff you pointed out is pretty obvious but mostly right on. Really not a thematically original concept at all, the difference between rich and poor. It was just told in such a cool way.

[@CoolioTheMonkey]

ojjao great analysis

[@discombobulated4]

@@vktesla oh fuck off, a lot of that stuff wasn't "obvious" to I'm guessing a large majority of people that watched this movie

[@LaloMacKenzie]

Fantastic analysis! I think Jessica died not for “pretending” but for being the Kim actually closest to the light. The one with the most acumen and potential for social mobility. The point is her wit and merit were meaningless. The staircase wasn’t for the poor to rise. Only so prevalently in their sights so that the poor remain temped.

[@princessregime]

The one thing I love about this film is that it makes you struggle with your decision of who to root for. The entire movie I was rooting for the poor family but when they discovered the old maid’s husband and the events that followed-I actually wanted them to lock them up and throw away the key. I wanted the poor family to keep at it. I wanted their son to marry the rich daughter and their daughter to rise amongst the rich like she deserved. Even now I say “they shouldn’t have let the old maid in!” Every time I think about this movie. The fact that I would’ve been fine with them getting rid of the maid and her husband bothers me a little bit tbh

[@georgiana1147]

Lol i agree.The old maid and her husband were targeted by loan sharks anyway so it wouldve been better this way,plus i dont think anyone would ever look for them😭and the fact that kevin and jessica could ve succeded only if they kept working for the park's and didnt try to get their parents involved as well bothers me so much

[@TBH-nu2so]

Jesus H. Christ, every scene in this film has so many small details and symbols. It’s a truly beautiful film.

[@Coratlan]

One bit of social commentary: Kevin and Jessica ARE smart and talented. what they lacked was coming from a rich family. as shown Jessica is shown to be good with technology and art. and although she faked the art interpretation of Da-song, she was able to do quick research and implement it and was somewhat correct. shes quick to adapt and a quick learner. Kevin is mentioned to be very fluent in English and would be a great teacher (and acting coach) but he couldnt get ahead bc he did not have the money to pay for college. and he got the job just bc he was recommended by his rich friend. Certifications and qualifications didnt mean anything. status did. status that assumes one has those qualifications. It shows that despite the saying that is preached "work hard, be smart, and youll achieve success" its actually about who already had status. Jessica and Kevin could have been very successful had the playing field been leveled out.

[@moon-ww6qt]

@Josh Doe AKSNSKQMS, you said peasants lmfao

[@jnsdoran25]

Put simply its not what you know but who you know

[@DANtheMANofSIPA]

Its also interesting that the rich daughter and son both require tutors, and are only able to get it because theyre rich. Im not sure exactly what it means, but it means something. Juxtaposition through the children I suppose

[@nadeyd9567]

jnsdoran25 yeah that’s facts

[@nadeyd9567]

DANtheMANofSIPA yeah how their talents can be built up and nurtured. We all have some talent in us, but the rich have the ability to cultivate.

[@IndigobluBeauty]

The father definitely deserved an Oscar nod. Loved this movie

[@Maddoxxx]

Not surprised at all, if you watch most korean horror, thriller, crime.. The actor that play as the father is a solid 8.. Maybe i can suggest you to watch the wailing.

[@franjaime200]

Watch Memories Of Murder. Same director and same actor. Great movie.

[@IndigobluBeauty]

I’ll check out both, thanks!

[@Maddoxxx]

@@IndigobluBeauty my pleasure, pls check the wailling, the wrath & whispering corridors series

[@MegaBreAsia]

Maddoxx

[@Mixitrion]

I think the whole thing with the "Buy me drugs" part on their sex scene referred back to when the rich husband whispered in his wife's ear what Jessica could be into, and she says "Cocaine or Heroine?" And covers her mouth. I think that fantasizing about them being poor was a fetish of some sort

[@Poorstargazer23]

It's funny you mention the water fight as them liberating themselves from poverty because when you watch the scene more closely the dad empties the bucket but he actually misses the drunk (other poor person) and hits his son instead. Kinda like how they tried to step on some other parasites to better themselves but only got irrevocably entangled in a deeper downward spiral.

[@That0neKid145]

Am I the only one who thought it was REALLY WEIRD when Ki-Woo and Min wanted to pursue a 10th grader????

[@ProfessorWumbology]

That0neKid145 well cultures are different I guess, but Min specifically said after she graduates so I guess he’s in the good, but Ali-Woo...🤷🏾‍♂️

[@That0neKid145]

FBI I still don't think it's ok lol. "Waiting till after she graduates" is grooming at that point

[@Redpanda99998]

@@That0neKid145 look at the age of consent in Korea

[@JustinIm27]

Apparently in Korea, high school is only 3 years, so she’s more like a hs junior. That puts her at around 17. The guy talked about taking the university entrance exam so he could plausibly only be 18/19ish. That’s not too weird

[@That0neKid145]

cloud I thought it might be like grooming because they were trying to get a teenager to like them and to be ok with them romantically until she's "the right age". I just think it's weird to look at a child in that way (as a potential partner) since people are more vulnerable and easier to manipulate at that age. This movie was a damn masterpiece but NOBODY was talking about that detail which stood out to me.

[@miah5561]

What’s the opposite of a circle of trust? A triangle of deceit?

[@animeAJproductions]

The triangle is the strongest shape. I suggest a Trinity of Trust.

[@renamon5658]

A Oval of back stabbers

[@saphirawinters7028]

I thought it'd be a square of liars. 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@LegoCookieDoggie]

What is the oposite of a circle? Fractals? A fractal of falsehood?

[@Foxy02016]

Khami - Triangle of Deceit aka when the pizza’s topping is not what you’ve ordered

[@meganacree9588]

Ahhh the husband in the basement mentioned that he was able to stay down their so long because the previous owners didn’t even mention the bunker because they were ‘embarrassed’. Because it was so much lower then their affluence just like Kims home.

[@Deckaio]

One also interesting details is that the first housekeeper being fired for having tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is often associated with the poor.

[@LunaDelTuna]

This was one of the best movies I've seen in a while. One of the most impactful scenes in the movie for me was when Mrs. Parks and Mr. Kim were driving back from the grocery store with food for the impromptu party. Mrs. Parks is on the phone with a friend and they're talking about the storm that happened the night before. She says something to the effect of, "You're right, the rain was a blessing...when you have lemons make lemonade." The look on Mr. Park's face was priceless. The storm for him was the opposite of a blessing, considering he lost almost everything he owned and left his family homeless for the foreseeable future. For her it was just an inconvenience that washed out the family's weekend plans, and to make it worse she also gets a wiff of poor from Mr. Kim and rolls down the window with a sour look on her face.

[@HDsharp]

I dont get the significance of that scene in the car you mentioned. The rich mum doesnt have to be super rich to have the same thoughts about the flood, she can be middle class and still have the same thoughts...While the poor dad, well what happened to him because of the flood was indeed sad, of course he would feel what she said was distasteful but she doesnt know what he went through...The bottom line is, the poor dad was getting paid for a job, hes on the job, the rich mum is the customer, my point is, he shouldnt take it personally, hes on the job...So i dont see anything outstanding in that scene at all. I think the film is a little over rated. I can understand all the meaning behind the film about the rich and poor, but to me it doesnt make the film a better film because if it. I saw it as a film about a family of hustlers, I expected the plot twist to be the rich family to hustle them instead, when that didnt happen, it was a let down for me.

[@vivianong9574]

In reality people always mix business and personal together

[@leilanidru7506]

HDsharp that’s part of the impact. She’s clueless but the audience isn’t. Also the her version of making lemonade out of lemons, a phrase for making the best out of a really bad situation, is a getaway “camping” trip turned posh garden party. The extreme juxtaposition of the exact same event (rain and flood) on two extremes on the spectrum of social and financial class that’s very much a reality for real life people is what makes the moment so heavy. Take this quarantine, if you’re of a middle or upper class, then this is more likely to be a relaxation from the hustle and bustle of daily life. If you lower class or live paycheck to paycheck then you’re under extreme stress about how the hell youre gonna survive with no money. There’s literally no way to not take that scene personally unless he somehow cuts of his ears, it’s not like he blames her for causing weather, but hearing those kinds of privileged statements after you just lost everything will sting literally 100% people in that situation. Again, not out of blame to the woman, just a perfectly natural human reaction to hearing an event that just ruined your life being talked about so flippantly in her privileged, inconsequential bubble safe from the rest of the world that has to deal with that harsh reality.

[@HDsharp]

@@vivianong9574 Thats when you get fired.

[@HDsharp]

@@leilanidru7506 yeah but thats expected though (everything you said), thats why i dont get what the hype is about. So he lost everything, his right to be sad, but hes still got his job, the whole family still has their jobs..Its not enough for him to go bonkers.

[@JW-rj6dx]

Metaphorically and symbolically the movie is so rich, however, i think the psychology behind the actions and the personality of the characters are displayed in extensive detail too. One of many examples that hit me was, when Dasong doesn't want the noodles, Mrs Park initially offers it to Mrs Kim, but then she remembers that the expensive beef is in the dish and quickly changes her mind and offers it to her husband. When he refuses she eats the whole thing herself. This thought process of Mrs Park and the subsequent actions depicted layers of her personality that while she may be gullible and seemingly 'nice', she's not the most generous and caring person either. In fact, she is rather stingy, she took out a few notes when she paid Kevin which would not have made much difference to her bank balance

[@nenad0019]

냥냥 she also used some words in English when she talked to different members of the poor family. Kind of like look at me I’m smart, i know english.

[@fluffyfelix539]

A sheep on the outside but a fox on the inside.

[@D4rkenedskies]

You do realise the notes here are hard cash which she can't bring around too much right? Also, based on experience, giving too much to people beyond what they deserve/earn is not good for long term. There are occasions that call for bonus, sure.. but giving it randomly / without proper cause encourage laziness/taking the bonus for granted and dependence on "luck". And it does affect their mood/work when stop being given..

[@TurnipCart]

@@D4rkenedskies Wasn't it also like his very first day? I wouldn't probably pay the new kid as much as the one I already have experience with either. Give it a few weeks or months and let him prove himself then raise it back up. It also depends on how generous the payment is. If she's paying him peanuts way less than going rate that's shitty. If she was already over paying for the job and decided to cut back a bit for now I don't see the problem. Depends on the situation and specifics. Though ya I'm sure the movie was just trying to show greed or stinginess or whatever lol

[@Steve2Carla]

@@D4rkenedskies I would argue that your ideas show that you are also not the most generous and caring person either. What an attitude. Do you appreciate when people underpay you so as to help you avoid getting lazy? Doesn't feel a little condescending to have someone who thinks they are better than you make that decision for you?

[@emilynyan6603]

I also think it is important to point out that, out of the entire Kim Family, the daughter was the one that fit in most closely with the Upper Class. She had no troubles or qualms keeping up appearances and doing it all for the money. Her death at the hands of someone else that is incredibly poor just reads like the Crab Bucket to me. The Son had the most realistic chances to become an actual part of the rich family, but it all came crumbling down for him, once he started doubting himself. This mirrors him being the only one in the family to be hired by a real recommendation, unlike the rest of his family.

[@joshglover2370]

We got 8 minutes to make dinner! 😳 Thank God she asked for Ramen! 🤣

[@cnashford2]

"Parasite" was recently released on Hulu so I just saw it. The movie was SO good! Thanks for this explanation. 👍

[@wilfred5820]

cnashford2 I just watched it too

[@iramswrestlinghighlights1164]

That movie was absolutee garbage

[@kickzgamez6282]

IRAM's Wrestling Highlights fax

[@tiddieparadise]

HappilyDestructive ye wk

[@doriangrace7265]

Im sure it's just me but I am having trouble seeing why it's good

[@RedNinja115]

Ya, also considering he most definitely has brain damage after the rock attack, I doubt Kevin could actually become successful, obviously it's not impossible but it definitely will be harder for him

[@JokerCrowe]

Having been convicted of crime probably doesn't help either

[@Mennion3]

In an interview, Bong said it would take Kevin over 500 years to save up for that house if he worked a regular 9 to 5 job.

[@RedNinja115]

All excellent points

[@naid5533]

Right, he is never going to be able to save his father. We saw him sitting in that same old house at the end of the movie which in a way shows us that this is who he is and who is going to be for the rest of his life

[@glitzysoftware]

Who knows? The mom could pull a gypsy rose blanchard lol

[@luvbella3732]

Parasite wasn’t explained at all. I just felt like this video gave me a summary of something I just watched.

[@chorbles]

a small thing i picked up was the fact that the park family's dinner table had the same amount of chairs as the people living there - it could fit both families and the couple, but the park family choose to have excess without realising what's happening behind the scenes.

[@lawcane]

He smells cheap detergent, sub-basement mold and fumigation smoke on them.

[@morgulstower5839]

The dad wanting to be doused in toxic chemicals like that when he just sat there and let a pesticide cloud cover him was insane

[@paroxysm9112]

Coming from a very poor family myself, this video elicited such a strong feeling of dread and frustration because I can relate to it so much. Sometimes it does feel like there's nothing I can do to help myself or my family live a better life.

[@chatleslorenzo6164]

i wish you luck

[@joysticksweat8109]

"jUsT wOrK hArDeR yOu sIsSy"

[@Moriartart]

@@joysticksweat8109 as someone who’s also poor and seeing my family bust their asses working multiple jobs- I’m glad you get it. I’m turning 22 soon and will probably never get the job I want(teaching) because I can’t even afford community college. It’s menial jobs for life I suppose

[@Morec0]

@@Moriartart for YOUR life. Live frugally and save to pass onto your offspring, and teach them to do the same. It may take a few generations, but your legacy can lift itself up if you put into it. Your mistake is the same as every other person in the current culture: instant gratification. You may try to argue that point, saying you know it wouldn't be instant, but if you disagree with the idea of sacrificing to better the lives of your descendants than you don't truly get it.

[@massojupiter3436]

Exactly. Then they blame their failures on everything but their incompetence. Then they cry because they have no money but have the latest iPhone and 300 dollar shoes on. A lot of poor people are just terrible at managing money and that's because of little self control.

[@abdiahmed3465]

Notice how Kevin laughs at the doctor and the detective who questioning him and he said neither of them look suited for their positions.

[@sherlockwatson101]

Thank you for this - I have nerve damage in my eyes that make reading subtitles very difficult - my mom, bless her soul, watched it with me reading the subtitles out loud but we never finished it. Your commentary explaining it feels like I watched it - I know it doesn’t replace the entire cinematic excellence of the movie - but I really appreciate this video - thank you

[@nicolethorpe6498]

What’s stupid is this kid was given an opportunity but didn’t realize it. He could have worked for the Parks family without his family for a few years and used them as reference for a better opportunity. Greed and quick cash is what ruined his family like most people.

[@kkd5972]

didnt you see the situation they were living in? you only think like that because of how the movie turned out.

[@banmas6915]

what ruined them was them letting the lady in😂

[@idunno3370]

@@banmas6915 truest comment lmao

[@serafinschaller1688]

@@banmas6915 That's what I thought. Even when she first showed up i was like "Just tell her to come back when the Parks are home"

[@mysticdana_]

Serafin Schaller I seriously thought that was gonna happen at first also they made a really bad choice following a lady down a creepy hidden basement-

[@decayedham]

also idk if anyone else noticed (i had read a comment on tumblr to realize it) but the so-called "stone" was floating in the sewage ,, not on the floor or unmoved in a previous spot AND thats why "kevin" didnt die when he was hit in the head with the stone. it was hollow on the inside

[@nessisvanillabean2570]

I didn't even notice that!

[@JJMomoida]

I was *still* surprised he made it out alive, tbh. The stone may have been hollow on the inside but the thing definitely had some decent weight to it.

[@Maya-bk4jn]

Carlos Hernandez that was a lot of blood loss too.. that too from the head !

[@TasX]

The floating stone thing was supposed to be an accident according to the director. But it does make everything else work, so there's that

[@christopherlowery3797]

Man, I couldn’t have been happier to see you tackle this one. To my shock, when my mother & I went to see it (after it had been out for almost two months), on a Tuesday afternoon, the theater was *still* close to capacity. Hearing an audience getting invested & thoroughly enjoying a subtitled movie (a comedy, no less, something which a language barrier could hypothetically have a negative impact on) was just beautiful. Great analysis, my man! Keep up the good work!

[@CD-tj3hg]

Something I noticed in this movie when it comes to symbolizing class separation is in the families' names. Statistically, Kim is one of the most common last names worldwide, representative of the Kim family being considered common, lower, poor. The name Park seems much more prestigious, almost easy and relaxing, as the Park family lives such a lifestyle.

[@eo4345]

Eh. Park is the second most common name in Korea though so not really. Ironically however Kim means gold in Korean.

[@Lizzie28460]

Why are you equating the surname Park with "easy and relaxing" in an English context. Your viewpoint is Eurocentric.

[@murk4552]

@@Lizzie28460 it's not Eurocentric, chill. It's literally because ironically their last name is a "PARK" - the most relaxed and casual of any public place.

[@Lizzie28460]

@@murk4552 wait wut? park doesn’t mean that in korean… what are you talking abt?

[@Lizzie28460]

@@murk4552 if my comment offended you, sorry, but your point doesn’t make any sense at all. park = gourd in Korean..

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

I think the greatest thing this movie illustrates is that the family REALLY WAS talented to do all these jobs. Pretty much nothing was below them, but society just had no fucking use for them because they started so far behind the 8 ball.

[@sesamestreettv]

HitchensImmortal not at all. At the end of the day they all had four successful jobs thanks to their hustle and “vigor.” Society wasn’t the problem, their greed was

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

@@sesamestreettv Except they had to cheat all legal avenues to achieve what they were entirely capable of. It's not the ability they lacked; it was the pieces of paper from the system with approval from other people who were part of the system they lacked. A system that was never going to give them the opportunity because they had no initial monetary investment in it, because they had no money. Which is the entire theme of the movie; exactly how much of the blame lies on anyone that a society produces people like them. People who are capable but left behind.

[@dafullclip]

That's messed up when someone can *smell* that you're broke

[@sophisticatedbear3374]

My mother worked in a mental health institution. When u have people who dont drain their tub and bath in the same bathwater for 6 months to save water.......believe me the (poor) smell is veeeery noticeable. My dad also helped a poor (not homeless) unstable man who hadn't bathed or changed his clothes in over a year. Same man also smelled of the dog crap that buried his house's floor. Sometimes the (poor) smell his not subtle.

[@dafullclip]

​@@sophisticatedbear3374 Damn

[@abzu2358]

It could also be because of the fumigation gas and moisture in their house

[@mickynick9888]

I went to marathon gas station in fort wayne and the worker was Burmese. When i walked in i got a whiff of straight fucking b.o ball sweat fucking nastyy smell. The whole fuckin gas station smelt like. Shit. I swear when the manager came in they better of said something to him. Theres no reason someone should smell so bad they make a whole building smell like "2 hobos fucking in a shoe full of piss" -deadpool

[@TheWiseCollector]

I'm your 150th like 👍

[@QuirkyQuillify]

When I watched this movie I was unemployed, and the story hit me so hard. I had an actual nightmare about always being poor and never being able to find a job due to my poor resume.

[@aa90502]

did u get a job now?

[@shastarobin12]

I had a lump in my throat the entire film, it is everything I love about the suspense genre. I thought they were gonna get caught so many times.