Parasite

Question 1

Bong Joon-Ho’s presidential blacklisting

Answer 1

Bong, alongside 9000 others working in the arts, were blacklisted and banned from all state funding and support due to criticizing former President Geun Hye Park

Question 2

Links between Ireland and Koera

Answer 2

-A former colonial presence across the sea to their east
-Rapid social and economic change
-A free market economy
-A strong relationship historically with the USA

Question 3

What was South Korean economic increase caused by?

Answer 3

An economic boom which widened the gap between the rich and poor, which mostly came about via industrialisation which was impelled by the force of military rule.

Question 4

Why is it hard to break out of the poverty cycle in Korea?

Answer 4

Due to a high competitive education system and job market, where all the opportunities are given to the elites

Question 5

President of Korea during release of Parasite?

Answer 5

President Moon Jae-in, who is blamed for the lack of support for the stagnating economy and runaway house prices, leading to a drop in approvals from young people to as low as 45%.

Question 6

Percent of South Koreans who believe there is a “very big” income gap?

Answer 6

85%

Question 7

Scandal of Justice Minister Cho Kuk

Answer 7

Prosecuted for falsifying documents to help his children get admission to university- similar to Ki-jung in Parasite

Question 8

Why did the film have ‘Western Appeal’?

Answer 8

-Distinct visual style which made it more accessible to a non Korean speaking audience
-Universally relatable themes about class and hierarchy
-Fascination with ‘the other’.

Question 9

Who originated the idea of ‘Orientalism’

Answer 9

Edward Said (1978)

Question 10

What does orientalism mean?

Answer 10

The way westerners conceive the geographical east, through racialised knowledge of ‘the other’ alongside associations with ‘exotic, dangerous and fascinating’.

Question 11

References to America in Parasite

Answer 11

-Obsession with Native Americans
-Importing toys and tents from the USA
-Intrigue in Jessica being due to her studies in ‘Illinois’ and ‘Chicago’.
-English names: Kevin, Jessica, Nathan
-Scouts
-Pizza boxes and wi-fi
-Italian opera singing and western instruments at the party

Question 12

Who was the composer for the film and how did they describe the music?

Answer 12

Jung Jae-il
“minimalist piano pieces, punctuated with light percussion.” which provides the film with its tense atmosphere

Question 13

Main themes of Parasite

Answer 13

Class conflict, social inequality, wealth disparity, colonialism, working-class solidarity.

Question 14

Meaning of ‘Hell Joseon”

Answer 14

A satirical term used to describe the film that determines living in hell being akin to the experience of living in South Korea.

Question 15

What does Bong say about the significance of stairs?

Answer 15

He describes the film as a “stairway movie” in relation to the use of stairs being in built in the set being a symbol of the rigid class hierarchy being built into society, and the proxemics of the characters in relation to the levels indicated their social status.

Question 16

How many years is predicted for Ki-woo to earn enough money to purchase the house at the end?

Answer 16

564 years- demonstrating the fantasy element of the ending and enforcing the idea of two worlds.

Question 17

How is the impact of colonialism demonstrated in the film?

Answer 17

Recurring motifs of English language (Ki-woo is teaching Da-hye English) and an obsession with appropriated indigenous culture with reference to American imports. Furthermore, the South Korean education system is corrupted by colonialism with the national college entrance exam including a notoriously difficult English section. Additionally, the use of Morse Code demonstrates people resorting to violence and the on going motif of class war.

Question 18

Contextual symbolism of the under-ground bunker

Answer 18

Were originally built to protect the inhabitants from a North Korean invasion, likening the destitution created by capitalism to war and how the structure of the how symbolises the on-going division and class war.