Burning's Big Question To An Answer

A young Faulkner in Murakami's world.
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#Movie
#Video
#Burning

[@ThomasFlight]

This is a really great, thorough analysis. Thank you.

[@SpikimaMovies]

Good to see you here Thomas! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@davidmeneses712]

Crossover!!!!

[@msajas8370]

@@davidmeneses712 of what ??

[@RoshDroz]

Two titans of the industry

[@friscokid66]

A boring movie that I could not stop watching. When it was over I could not stop thinking about it.

[@MzSoulll]

bruh! perfectly described.

[@swapnavenketseetharaman1056]

Same Here... :)

[@Kaiukes]

I..............

[@blair..]

i know its boring but mmm i was so interested in it all i was not bored at all

[@bandanamanandhar8762]

I agree

[@hariskks]

Also worth mentioning is that the film is an adaptation of Haruki Murakami's short story 'Barn Burning' found in his book - collection of short stories - 'The Elephant Vanishes'. It's a great read, for anyone who might be interested.

[@f.boogaloospook2318]

I read it it felt like a dream

[@TonyBytez]

murakami is the reson i watched this movie ahahha im trying to read more of his books

[@zzzyyyxxx]

And Barn Burning is itself a reinterpretation of another story also called the same title, by, yes, William Faulkner. That's why the characters reference Faulkner so much.

[@abiolaagbede6447]

Was just reading this

[@pahakrai5442]

the movie is extremely beautiful piece of art with complete emptiness with a literal schrodinger cat

[@swaroop7021]

This movie is absolute garbage. There was literally nothing in this stupid shit film. 1/10

[@BlackRedGray]

@@swaroop7021 you're the one who's really stupid. Practice analytical thinking.

[@swaroop7021]

@@BlackRedGray don't call me stupid this is my opinion. I've watched a lot of movies and this movie literally had nothing in it. Tell what is so special you find in this?

[@swaroop7021]

@@BlackRedGray yea buddy you got nothing huhn

[@morukuser]

@@swaroop7021 it's about thinking of the questions that not have been answered. It's like an abstract picture where you try to find out what the artist tries to tell you. It's about believing in something when we don't know for sure. Maybe it's also about the search for the meaning of life. Some people are afraid to ask themselves this questions and think about it intensively...

[@guerillawhite3083]

this is an extremely good video essay, i dont know why it doesnt have more views

[@alecmorgan1523]

It’s long

[@youthofyesterdayrecords]

Answers like that confirm that life is no longer a mystery to me either.

[@Mr.Jasaw13]

well the guy is reading his own stuff into it ... and is not that convincing but hey whatever

[@seanmatthewking]

Has to do with the (lack of) popularity of the movie, in part

[@seanmatthewking]

@@Mr.Jasaw13 ...That’s how art works... it’s an incredibly metaphorical, open ended movie. He dealt with that in exactly the right way

[@jackroberts2704]

It really show Steven Yeun's range with a character so morally opposite from Glenn on The walking dead.

[@IraserH]

The acting in this movie is so good. Jung soo's body language is so lax during the time period, his face has a display of confusion all the fricking time. And I think it's commendable. Ben's Korean is awkward, I noticed it too but I thought maybe it was because of Steven Yeun but no. You're right, it was intentional maybe because he was rich so he didn't take much effort or rather pleasure in speaking Korean? Just like most people, rich ones in India don't want to speak the native language but English because that's what makes them classy. Or look classy and educated.

[@samaraisnt]

It's a big (class) thing in Korea.

[@SelfHealingGod]

This movie is about a blind man leading us the way... deeper...... deeper.......and we all followed...A masterpiece.

[@ambientvirtual]

Never before have I left a film and realized it had fooled me entirely, up until the very last moment.

[@redefinedliving5974]

yay great descriptiom

[@nighte11e]

I also feel like the scene at 15:15 was a foreshadowing of the ending, and how he burned his clothes was the same as how he burned his mother’s clothes - then, to forget her and now, to forget himself with Hemi and Ben.

[@LAK_770]

This movie was first of all just gorgeous to look at, and the bleak just-barely-suspenseful vibe was captivating. And even not being Korean, and knowing nothing of Korean culture, it was able to communicate the theme of class power dynamics to me, because it was so evocative and thorough. But I think the most brilliant thing about this film is how it achieves all of this from the framework of a bizarre, minimalist short story - it adds tons of context and material, and repurposes everything for its themes, but it somehow still feels totally faithful to the original. I watched this movie because of Murakami, but became a fan of Korean cinema because of it.

[@pulsestorm04]

One of my favorite films from the decade, and perhaps, ever. Please review more Korean films. Your poignant understanding of the Korean culture brilliantly brings out easily missed aspects about these films. Thank you so much.

[@SpikimaMovies]

I do love me some Korean films so I do plan to do more. Thanks for that! :)

[@onisolb]

Ive been left with confusion but not bad confusion. More like something feels unresolved even though I feel I understand everything that happened. I think what I can't really get is why is this one of your favorite films? My confusion might be because I don't know if I liked it or not.

[@JohnnyNiteTrain]

Have you seen Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave? I watched it this week. I loved it. Highly recommend it.

[@Mmxxaamm]

Dense, like the thickest fog that won't let you see what's ahead, a fog so intense, that leaves you full of uncertainty and questions, "what else is ahead?". In this case, what lies ahead is an incredible landscape that is only intensified by the intense fog that precedes it. Thank god I found this channel, every youtuber pretending to analyze a film just started numbingly reading the plot and I was so tired of it.

[@dighad3824]

I felt my anger building up throughout the movie and when I finished it I recalled the movie title and went: "Oh."

[@multiplebees]

I thought I hated this film until I realized I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

[@itistime467]

How arty. Shave your hair at the sides, get a pair of brown circular glasses and get a half sleeve tattoo. You're cool.

[@secondtononetaeil614]

Same

[@seanmatthewking]

Why is Santa have so many names? Santa Claus, Old Saint Nick, Kris Kringle? BS! Don’t explain, just ranting, already googled answer! Burning was a great movie 😀

[@seanmatthewking]

I loved this movie and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

[@seanmatthewking]

@@itistime467 makes no sense dude

[@teddygallagher9706]

In Bens final moments it seems like he hugs Jung-So. Maybe this is Ben showing his gratitude to Jungsoo for freeing him from the cycle of “short term fun” and the dishonesty of his life. He no longer has to fight to ignore his lack of meaning. He is for one brief moment truly content.

[@Garrett1240]

Idk, there’s no allusions to Ben yearning for that feeling throughout the film.

[@danicanencia5472]

I think Haemi is not really Haemi. Like she said, she had plastic surgery. Also she is in debt, so going to Africa, not so believable. To me, Ben kills girls, and replace them renting actresses just to win money, like she said not everyone can be an actor. Also, the mother is a little bit suspicious. Or maybe i'm just overthinking and Ben is a psychopath.

[@mb_p2004]

😂 I'm loving these theories It's similar to how the Protagonist comes to a conclusion to get a closure

[@fleurarmelle929]

I might be wrong but it seemed like Jung-so was becoming a greenhouse for Ben. Ben might have thought of Jung-so as a greenhouse initially but soon realized they Jung-so could help satiate his hunger so he kept him around. Until eventually, as you said, happened

[@stush0178]

Yoo Ah-in is such a great actor, he makes the movie. Can't get enough of his work

[@glampopish]

He always chooses good projects!

[@adrianolmedos]

@@glampopish I thought that #Alive was awful tho.

[@Garrett1240]

What other movies of his should I watch?

[@priyashegde-xc7iy]

Voice of silence@@Garrett1240

[@moonchild06137]

​@@Garrett1240Hellbound, Alive, Chicago Typewriter, Seoul Vube etc are some of his works But sadly he was accused of using drugs and was arrested. But was indicted without any detention. Idk if he will continue to work in flim anymore cz knetizens criticised him so much. Still would love to see more of his works

[@prodigalsun1678]

Ben hugging Jong-su as he dies in his arms is so powerful 😥

[@knocs12]

As Ben quoted, "He never cried"

[@danir9736]

I'm so surprised this wasnt mentioned!

[@seandeegan2067]

Throughout his entire life, his shallow, short-term satisfaction has prevented him from seeing the depth of life, being, understanding. When faced with death, Ben finally recognizes life’s significance. Him hugging Jong-su is the most clear gesture to suggest a diminished social, economic, and intelectual barrier. They are both human.

[@jamesbaxterfromax]

I was so moved by the scene as well. Think about it all the time

[@seanmatthewking]

@Carbyne Whether or not Ben is actually a serial killer, the movie seems pretty unconcerned with him being a serial killer. Ben is certainly never portrayed as evil. And while he is sometimes portrayed as cold, he acts warmly towards Jong-su, at least on the surface. He even reads Faulkner in response to Jong-su saying that's his favorite writer. I don't even know if I could convince people who care about me to read Faulkner just because I said he's my favorite writer. He seems genuinely interested in Jong-su's writing.

[@SuburbanFlames97]

For me, this is one of the best films I've seen. I can't pin it down exactly, but it felt more like real life than real life.

[@berlinesquelove1360]

The film's notions of the little and big hunger sort of translate to its interpretations I see from viewers: some prefer to focus on whether a murder was committed and on screen proof for this, engaging with the thriller aspect of the movie, while others find that reading to be surface level and would rather strive to consider what themes and ideas are suggested through the characters and plot itself.

[@heysatan8]

Love this. It's kinda cool how the more you analyze the film to try and figure out the "murder mystery" the more questions you end up with, which leave you feeling even further from the truth. But it also leads us to discover, as you say, the other themes and ideas in the film. In other words: by trying to feed out little hunger, we end up with a big hunger! How cool is that!?

[@karma1185]

This channel is so underrated. pls dont stop making videos

[@SpikimaMovies]

Thanks for enjoyin them! Will never stop.

[@morrislee4310]

On GOD my mans is a legend !

[@tronghoatran8183]

literally the best movie channel

[@SuperiFox]

I've watched this film 8 times and it still has something new every time

[@maidays3584]

I didn't know this movie was based on a short story written by Haruki Murakami in 1983 when I first watched. But now I really understand Hae-mi is VERY Murakami novel kind a woman!!

[@juanguillen9409]

I fell in love with this film immediately on first watch. I never felt bored because I was so interested in seeing if this would be a romance film or just a drama about Jong-su, but It almost turned out to be a horror film towards the end, which is why it’s so engaging.

[@Prof.SeverusSnape]

Does anyone else notice the deep sense of isolation in this movie? That they the characters decend into such depravity and are exposed to this accute danger is because of the great nothingness that exists within their lives. It's almost like the 3 characters are wandering, existing in this great wasteland of abyss-darkness without ever knowing or enjoying the sun.

[@TheFrodoBaggins33]

I just watched this movie and I was awestruck by the performances (especially steven yuen's) and by how much thought was packed into even the smallest amounts of dialogue. I honestly consider this movie to be deeply philosophical in the right ways, and it's something I know I'll be thinking over for weeks

[@movedmindpoRUSZonyUMYS]

I wish more directors adapted Murakami's works but your interpretation simply shows how difficult it is. Stellar work, as usual.

[@cleo1597]

I just knew those photos had some significance but since I don’t speak and can’t read Korean I just bookmarked it in my mind in hopes of finding out what it was later. I found it very interesting that to Ben and his family the photos of people burning and dying was a simply nice place to eat but to everyone else in the gallery it was significant enough to require attention. Your interpretation summed up what would’ve taken my brain a long time to find out if it ever even did, thanks!

[@TheOleRazzleDazzle1]

I appreciate this video, especially coming from someone who understands Korean culture way more than I do and who can pick out and contextualise the little nuances that non Korean speakers would miss. I have been getting into south Korean cinema much more reccently and I'm happy to have stumbled across your channel. Hello from Tasmania!

[@heavenknows93]

TheOleRazDazzle what south korean films do you recommend?

[@TheOleRazzleDazzle1]

Most immediately: Oldboy, thirst, and the handmaiden by Park Chan wook. Oldboy being my favourite movie of all time. The director has a nearly perfect filmography. Avoid Stoker Memories of murder, the host, and mother by Bong Joon Ho. His American movies and parasite are also amazing. If you like burning then you absolutely must check out Secret sunshine. It's Lee-chang Dong's masterpiece. I'm also a big fan of The chaser by Na Hong-Jin. Train to Busan is deadass one of the best zombies movies I've ever seen I saw the devil by Kim Jee-Woon is amazing. He has also done a tale of two sisters and the very good a bittersweet life. There's alot of stuff. But I appreciate them all. Hope it's helpful

[@SpikimaMovies]

Nice list. The Wailing is cool too. And Yeon Sang-ho's animations are pretty awesome.

[@georgelloyd5551]

A fellow Limmy fan?! Well I never

[@gregoryreese8491]

Second that, and I've been hooked on SK film for a decade or more. I too have found this channel adds hugely to my understanding and enjoyment; benefits which apply every bit as much to the earlier films, those I'd already watched God knows how many times.

[@Pandoodles]

This was such an enlightening analysis. Taking in not only the camera work and the visual language, but the cultural subtext and the philosophical ideas... I wish I had seen this movie before watching but I wouldn’t have known about this movie if I had not watched your review, so thank you for introducing this fantastic piece of art to me.

[@SpikimaMovies]

Thank you- glad you enjoyed it! If you get a chance, definitely check this film out!

[@Pandoodles]

@@SpikimaMovies I watched it. Watching it after having seen this analysis was so interesting. I'm glad I watched it.

[@SpikimaMovies]

That's awesome that you actually watched it- happy to hear you liked it !

[@filmfrauds7018]

Really great breakdown of Burning. I found that critic's interpretation that the ending of the film was just part of Lee Jong-su's story to be really fascinating and not something I ever would have thought of. We just did an hour + discussion of Burning on our channel, and it's crazy how just talking about the film with other people really shows all the ways it can be interpreted.

[@nabieuyl]

The cat that's present and not present at the same time alludes to the thought experiment called "Schrodinger's Cat"...

[@rez1k199]

Just realised you can’t watch this movie without looking at brilliantly explained reviews like these. At first i was trying to find clues to connect the dots (much like Jung) but after clearly understanding the story i see that we are Jung going through this film. We try to find hints to bens metaphor but only concluded his actions through assumptions. This movie is made to be questioned. If you leave this movie with a conclusion then you have not really understood what was being told. Nothing can be confirmed in this movie. Not one thing.

[@wilflow959]

I agree with some of the things you said, but i completely disagree with you about trying to find hints and only leading to assumptions. It’s clearly evident that Ben has severe mental illness. He has the traits. For instance. He has never shed a tear, he enjoys burning things, and has never once felt jealousy until he met Hae Mi. All of which are stated in the movie.

[@wilflow959]

It’s pretty suspicious how suddenly Hae Mi’s Watch appears in Ben’s restroom after her sudden disappearance. And how he told Jong that it’s like “She vanished like a blow of smoke.” How ironic of him to say that because Ben enjoys burning greenhouses.

[@rez1k199]

Wilflow but then once again we are never shown any of the traits but are only left to believe him. We only see him cry after dying and we never actually see him burn any greenhouses

[@danir9736]

@@wilflow959 I thought this and then thought also maybe jong is so disillusioned he is imagining it differently than what it is, there are so many possibilities and truly no answers but I suppose we can come up with our own if we like, but I enjoy the unknown of this movie it has be battling with:) glad I seen these comments too!

[@danir9736]

@@wilflow959 since I heard him say he never cried and his lack of empathy towards hae mi I assumed he may have psychopathic tendencies

[@Muckrackerz]

I believe a great analysis is not merely one that delivers defintive, undisputable insights, but one which gives the audience the tool- and mindset to follow one interpretation while also opening the avenues for altenate views. In that light, your video does an outstanding job. Frankly, I saw this movie yesterday, and your thoughts have made it so that I could give some semblance of structure to my own feelings about the movie. It's an exercise where I feel I got to know better how I think...by proxy of following your thoughts. This is the first video of yours I've ever seen but it certainly won't be the last. On that note, I'd love to hear your thoughts on Midsommar, if you've happened to see that one. Otherwise, I'd strongly recommend it.

[@SpikimaMovies]

A structured review of the review! Thank you for that- happy to see someone who catches my intent. I did see Midsommar but felt like I missed the timing for it- I was planning to pergaps discuss it when Aster's new film comes out, or on podcasts/extra contents i plan to do on patreon and whatnot! Definitely enjoyed it so one way or another, Ill be discussing it ;)

[@gibbybessa3711]

I noticed that the first time Jong-Su visits Haemis apartment (with her) there is a pink hair straightener on the table next to her bed, when he comes back the first time alone to feed the cat the straightener is moved and there is a red blow dryer in its place. Two weeks later when he visits the second time to feed the cat...... the blow dryer is gone and the pink straightener is in its place. She never went to Africa, she liked to make up stories like him calling her ugly and the well. She liked to "disappear" because she was too afraid to die....... maybe lol

[@SpikimaMovies]

Huh. Yeh maybe but interesting for wat it is anyways i never noticed- very cool! Ima rewatch that scene.

[@gibbybessa3711]

@@SpikimaMovies let me know what you think after rewatching! The ghost phone calls could have well been her calling to make sure he was home so she could go home and shower without being caught.

[@Sam_Berghammer]

@@gibbybessa3711 her also never actually going to Africa would support the idea that the cat never existed. She could have been the one removing the food. Thus showing that the cat Ben has isn't Boil which disproves Jongsu's final needed assurance. This film has so much to unravel its fantastic

[@nurasyran8439]

@@gibbybessa3711 mind blowing

[@nurasyran8439]

If she never went to Africa, then how at the airport, Ben and she claimed that they met there and become the only 2 Korean in the trip..so she and Ben are making story about Africa thingy? Omg..I'm suffocated for answer 😂

[@Georgiaboy_]

Man I didn't know what to make of this movie before this incredible analysis, thank you.

[@ambientvirtual]

This is by FAR the best video essay out there on this brilliant movie. Most people barely scratch the surface, I think this film could be taught and analyzed for years to come.

[@paolosalazar9919]

This was AMAZING. Really changes how you see the movie.

[@inma8353]

I have been searching for an answer to this incredible film. It was quite tedious to get through but towards the end you are left with so many questions. Such a beautifully made, written and acted film. Even though this film is Korean, it resonated well within my own culture.

[@heechanlim.mp4]

A lot of people found this movie boring, but I find it so slow yet interesting, that every single tiny clue creates a story

[@L3ttucePr3y]

I was convinced that this was just a surreal, sad, slow film about human trafficking, but your analysis made it much more interesting.

[@ZedAmadeus]

That was a brilliant essay! One thing that I picked up on while watching the film is that fading light is often used to symbolise the beginning of a new chapter (normally a worse one) in the main character's life. When he's having sex with Hai Min (or Hai Mei I'm not sure what her name was), he sees a strangely beautiful light hitting the wall, and then it quickly fades away. Their relationship felt like a _blink and you'll miss it_ moment, and the light reflected that. And then it was gone, and she came back with Ben. Similarly, the _only_ two sunsets shown in the movie show a much more major development in his life, the first being the weed scene, a longer, more sinister and drawn out sequence, that leads into the disappearance of Hai Min. And then finally the shot of him writing in Hai Min's room. Regardless of whether you think he actually murdered Ben or simply moved on with his life, separated/distanced himself from the memory of Ben and Hai Min and his father, they both mark major changes in his character, and his life moving forward.

[@yvespochara]

Wow, I thought I was Smart enough for picking up some puzzle pieces, but your analysis is on another level and makes me want to immediately rewatch this masterpiece!

[@AnimeFluent]

This analysis was very well done, I especially like your take on ending It's very much possible that maybe heami never had a boyfriend and jongsu was just writing his novel at her apartment, at this point I really just don't there are way too many ways this movie can be interpreted, but the thing I loved the most about this vid is u pointing out how there is a possibility that heami might have just killed herself, cuz greenhouse catch fire very quickly, which was shown in the movie itself But anyway amazing review loved it

[@GodSavePluto]

fantastic essay. watched this movie for the first time and have been thinking about it all day.

[@cyriszx]

ending would've been way more impactful if when Jong Su drives past Bens burning car Hae Mi called him

[@VinayMenon222]

You always need reviews like these to interpret Philosophical Schrodinger's Cat: The Movie. Give this channel all the views!

[@julieanne3482]

Thanks...your review really brought some clarity and depth. A quiet movie but so much emotion building beneath the surface. Terrific!

[@davidonyt2298]

I think as a film it kind of dips after Hae-Mi leaves the story for me because she is such a great foil and POI for Jong-Su and having Ben as this mysterious 'Gatsby' figure who repels while also gaining respect from Jong-Su complicating and disrupting their relationship, making Jong-Su jealous while also somewhat scared by his other-species nature. It's such a great dynamic I really wanted to see more of it and I think it gets cut too soon. I think if the dynamic between Ben and Jong-Su delved more into a Ripley-Dickie kind of thing while looking for Hae-Mi I would've found the last hour or so more enticing, as well as some more scenes demonstrating Jong-Su's frustration and Ben's philosophy. That's my view on it cause honestly I found the second half of the movie much less compelling. But yeah really interesting movie. Also I think Hae-Mi is a great hunger but I completely missed her not being bothered with anything perspective sooooo that one's debatable. Great video by the way really cleared things up.

[@LiamDoesStuffOfficial]

You're extremely underrated! I dunno if you'd be interested, but I think it would be cool to collaborate for a review or something as I am a film youtuber as well, I'm gonna give you a shoutout, I can't get enough of your videos.

[@SpikimaMovies]

Dope. Sounds like a plan. Thanks for the support and the mention! Nothing better than hearing my vids are at the very least entertaining ;)

[@LiamDoesStuffOfficial]

@@SpikimaMovies I am currently working on a favorite films of the decade video, you could take a look at my Letterboxd ranking of my favorites and do a bit on a film that you enjoy in particular from the list and why you love it, or you could also invite me on your channel for a video, we could do both, I'll let you pick! here's the letterboxd list: (15 - 20 are honorable mentions, so they would have to be really quick reviews, but anything else can be up to 4 mins long) Favorite Films of the 2010s boxd.it/4gzb8

[@SpikimaMovies]

@@LiamDoesStuffOfficial brilliant idea! What a beautifil list you got - i'd love to join in on that vid (as i have specific plans lined up for my near future vids already!) dm me on insta- would love to talk more w u on that!

[@robertdee]

Excellent analysis that helped draw my thoughts and feelings about the film together - and plenty of new readings I had missed.

[@sapphic.flower]

This is an amazing video that really helped me grasp the film a bit more and appreciate it!

[@tonywords6713]

Love everything about this movie. Loved it more each time. Modern masterpiece

[@nurasyran8439]

Thanks for the brilliant analysis. You are incredibly genius! I'm not sure if I'm the only one checking at the time passed by several times while watching Burning. Not because of boring but the plot really fueled my curiosity. After an hour, I was like.."what they are trying to convey really.. It almost intermission.", then when there is 15 minutes left, I was like.."please, don't torture my feeling. Its reaching the end, come on!" And after seeing the end.."no way..what did I just watched". Hahahah. I struggle to find the meaning behind it. I make my own expectation, theory and possibilities. In an interview, The casts mentioned that they do it as per directed by director and the director left it to the audience to interpret it. Hahaha. I found it intriguing. This movie even more mysterious than Parasite. At least, in Parasite, we can see the rough message on the surface. But in Burning, I struggle a lot. Rather than "how he/she..", I instead, questioned "what is she/he symbolize?". The suspen elements facade to the fore along the way. I was quivering, murmuring and got frown. There is a lot of questions inside my head from the very beginning toward the end 1. Is Hae Mi really exist or is she a legit human being? 2. when Jong Su meets Hae Mi's acquaintance at the restaurant, I certain, Hae Mi do exist but is it possible that the girl whose Jong Su have been meeting with is just stranger who claimed and pretending herself to be Hae Mi? 3. Is Ben exist or is he an imaginary friend of Jung soo who creates his own non-existent self. Ben might be Jong Soo himself. In fact Ben not even exist. 4. Is Jong Soo the one who commit all odd hobby which is arson? But he see that Ben who the one burning the greenhouse And the list goes on.. Omg..if I'm a lecturer, I'm gonna torture my students letting them operate and analyst this movie and see them suffering together with me 😂😂

[@jennak9744]

oh what a gem! this was excellently written and made and i loved getting your perspective on this film, thank you for sharing!!

[@devanshubhatt5392]

Even after this great explanation man there's still much more depth, this movie is real different and full of "Easter eggs"

[@kaydenpat]

So did Ben kill Hae-mi? Her cat being in his apartment suggests yes but it’s strange that he asks Jong-su about her whereabouts during the last scene.

[@theslowheadhunter3894]

it seems to me like the last scene is fiction, as jongsu percieves ben as a cocky person, he writes ben that way... and ben thinking jonsu isnt capable to pull of something like that goes to jonsu unarmed and hence got killed

[@mariamiram2369]

Exactly! Whole film is built up to make you slowly realise Ben is a psycopath, a killer and naturally you expect that he killed her, but if he did than why does he ask Jeong-Su about Hae-mi's whareabouts, if he actually killed her shouldn't he know that Jeong-Su is lying? And if he knew he was lying than why did he accept meeting him like that, alone, in the nature, without any protection. These questions probably have no one final answer and the intention to confuse us is the purpose of this movie. That's why it's so immensely beatiful. It just tells you that nothing might be as it seems, that we're all caught up in our illusions.

[@flamingflamingo4021]

excellent movie by an excellent director. His other movies are equally intriguing if not more!

[@MELONHEAD13B]

Thank you for this. I had my own interpretation and it was good to hear another.

[@goodkidsam]

excellent video bro! Thank you. Burning one of my favorite films and I'm currently working on this it for a school project and I found your analysis and point of view to be really interesting and relevant! Take care.

[@backyardjake6191]

So much that I didn't understand, just to realize that was the point. Excellent analysis.

[@binishnarayan2631]

Amazing explanation.... Every small detail you have experienced is really fascinating

[@citrushora]

I knew when Ben scoffed at Jongsu when he confessed his love, it wasnt out of ridicule, it is disbelief. Jongsu pursued Haemi like a dream, like a destination. for Jongsu to confess his love, it wasn't the kind of love where Jongsu cared for Haemi herself, it was more of him wanting to possess how Haemi carries out her life. This isn't unusual in love stories with a male protagonist, or in real life. To reinforce this, every time Jongsu asks of why Haemi does something, the questions don't seem to be of genuine curiosity, but more to fulfil a preconcieved hypothesis he might already have of her. But maybe it's not that simple, and the two still play some sort of cultural conversation norms. There is a version of interpreting the film where if you believe Ben did not kill Haemi, how would we the audience view Jongsu? It's also not obvious Ben actually killed Haemi, the bracelets provoke Jongsu and us the audience. But why would Ben meet up with Jongsu at the end if Ben really did kill Haemi? Why would Ben walk into that kind of confrontation? Viewing the movie as if Ben really did not kill Haemi reveals Jongsu to be this uncomfortable self hating guy. I can't help but to have watched the movie in this lens. I am not rich, my career is not flourishing. But if my thoughts dictate the lens at which I see life, I do not need to be rich to choose to see life without giving inner rage fuel. And so in the last ditch effort of killing Ben, no I honestly did not feel the rage Jongsu felt, even if I understood it. Perhaps the story is meant to shift our focus to empathize with Jongsu. but it doesn't make what Jongsu does right. We as audiences might be all too used to a hero's journey tale being told, a cathartic resolution, a climaxing of sorts. For when we see works that leave us unresolved, it's easy to feel dissatisfied, disgruntled and even rage. The question that might be more interesting to ask not "what happened" but why do I feel this way about a non-resolved piece of work? Is it because it is too much like real life? Were we using movies as an escape. Movies are great to temporarily wear someone else's shoes, but why do we want a conclusive ending so much? it is masturbatory. The Lobster also a movie that has not a lot of closure as well. I see a lot of parallels in that ethos of non-conclusive story telling.

[@nocarsgo]

너무 깔끔하고 명쾌한 해설이네요. 감사합니다.

[@yushiroske]

You are an artist of movie analysis. Watching this for the 2nd time & enjoying it almost as the movie. Thank you for your work.

[@issamidget6198]

I put off watching this film for months and I finally got to watching it today, and I wasn’t disappointed!

[@ElVoldo1]

You absolutely nailed this analysis. Burning remains my favourite movie til this day for a reason that I cannot explain. That's exactly why this movie encapsulates me so much: it is full of meaning yet devoit of meaning at all. Thank you!

[@berruorhan439]

I have just watched this movie and recently discovered your channel. You put into words the things I felt while watching these films. I feel the themes but can't put into words to explain it fully. Your videos make me feel like I have truly watched the movie. Thanks 😊

[@bannguy]

I have a different interpretation: Ben is an incarnation of the forces of capitalism itself.

[@navinsawesomeanddivineacco4221]

This was such a good analysis. Love your work.

[@parameshwaran8454]

here's my take on it. Ben despises women most probably. Women are potrayed as eye candies throughout the film. All the ladies dress in pink,wear makeup and are very interested in materialistic wealth. Their deeper emotions and feelings are always neglected by men. The heroine expresses her desire to be free, transcend reality and reach a level of higher spiritual existence. But,jong su calls her a whore and ironically,those are his last words to her. Ben always picks his women carefully- extroverts without a family background,broke and aspiring to travel around the globe. The heroine wants to go to kenya,while the last woman at the guest gathering party expresses her passion for the chinese. Jong su is very much like his father in terms of determination and solitude. Both of them dont have friends and are hell bent on the things that they want to do. His father assaults a civil servant while jong su murders ben.

[@frankiemunez8015]

Great video! I love the ambiguity in the ending of this film. I think it’s also important to note that because we sympathise with jong-su and are in his shoes throughout the film we never actually question whether haemi just decided to never speak to him again after what he says to her when she leaves with Ben. Or if he was in fact responsible for her possible suicide

[@sichard.rimmons]

wow this is a fantastic analysis

[@moomoo_melody]

I just watched the movie and I can read the comments here the whole day! That's why I love movies like this. Looks like slow and has very few happenings yet so many interesting insights and analysis you can get from people.

[@damianocrivelli4594]

Love this channel and contents, love and support from italy

[@SpikimaMovies]

Thanks for the supporr ;) means a lot!

[@jameswilliam2003]

What I just thought is that Ben dumped Hae-mi's body on that lake /water reservoir. He comes visiting it just to make sure the job is well done.

[@rezzwastaken]

This is arguably the best video essay I have seen in ages

[@sdrawkcabdetfard]

I just recently stumble upon your channel I mean recently just one hour ago and it's because of parasite and I really think you have something in here

[@SpikimaMovies]

Thanks for the support! :) happy to hear that!

[@danmichaelabad6263]

What if Boil the chat never existed? and the litter tray with cat poops is just her pantomiming of having a cat. It was so hard for her to think that it is not there than to think that is was there. She hinted that before they had sex that there was no cat?

[@MattTheSpratt]

my first time through this film, i couldn't grasp onto anything, it was like a greased river i'm going to watch a second time just to feel like i've seen it once

[@z0uLess]

The little hunger is the greatest one of the two. It should be flipped. What is refered to here as the great hunger is a freedom to not feel existential pain. It is the reason why the rich gramp into training centers -- to inflict pain in order to feel something, some type of strife, some kind of obstacle.

[@dr1kk3r]

What an amazing review!!!!! Thanks for helping us interpreting the movie with so many nuances!

[@shanmukhisaitarunkumar4540]

This type of movie must be released in india...to make the people realise the youth freedom neccessity😢

[@krausersama9153]

i love parasite and it deserves all the praise it got but burning to me is a much more impactful film when it comes to character and social commentary.

[@MohitSubedi]

This was the video that made me subscribe. Good work friend, good work.

[@scooby7877]

I think you missed an important point, he burns his clothes in the end just like he did with his mothers. He said he was forced to burn his mothers clothes and to forget she existed. I think that he finally felt in control when he burned his own clothes, something he never did his whole life as you mentioned the dad dictated his life and he felt like the animal in the shed. And I fully agree with what you said in the end, there will never be an answer unless you create one yourself, I think you meant it in the context of life, but the director is saying this in the context of the ending. You create your own answer of the ending, like you do in your everyday life.

[@AndresGonzalez-rw7oe]

I'm really impressed by this video. Nice job!

[@ChryskylodonInstitute]

wow you talk serious business. amazing video brother.

[@Madamoizillion]

"Life is not a problem to solve, but a reality to experience."

[@dr34mv3iL]

Love your insight into Korean culture here

[@모니카-r8p]

몇일전 이 채널을 알게 되었고 시간이 날때마다 열심히 보고 있어요. 지금은 완전히 중독되었습니다. 감사합니다.

[@SpikimaMovies]

시청해주셔서 감사합니다 :)

[@NutritionalZero]

Wow, this is fantastic

[@quentin.rc_6203]

I LUV YOUR VIDEO this movie was so great and u did great also, what's the music you're using in the video I luv it too??

[@chirantansanjay8432]

Very well put bro....Interesting perspective especially about the ending.

[@Prof.SeverusSnape]

This whole movie reminds me of a quote: 'a true assassin doesn't wait for the perfect moment -they wait for the perfect kill. '

[@aaryachadha8925]

I recall the fact that when Ben said that he’s going to burn a green house very very close he meant Haenmi. And even though the main character searched for the burning greenhouse, he couldn’t find it. Ben said he already burnt it. Maybe.. that meant he already killed Haenmi?

[@jimhim585]

Yes, that was the point

[@fluff975]

"or maybe she was the only figure left in his life to be able to convincingly... well... convince him that there was a well... so he makes it up--if it really was in his head, since everyone else seemed to think that there was no well." i'm really confused w this theory (and sentence altogether)... are you suggesting that Jongsu only imagined the moment where his mother tells him there actually was a well?

[@dieterfeldkamp1522]

I came back here after seeing Burning yesterday and holy shit i missed so much symbolism!! Thank you, this is good stuff and makes me want to get more into movie analysis

[@ma.christellalim6346]

IIRC, the cinematographer of Burning is also the same in Parasite.

[@mjolninja9358]

Well damn bro I’m watching this film today, Awesome content bro

[@זכריה.אוסטרי]

Thank you for such a meaningful reflection