Title: Class Struggle and the Illusion of Mobility in Parasite
Title: Class Struggle and the Illusion of Mobility in Parasite Bong Joon-ho’s 2019 Academy Award-winning film Parasite is a searing critique of class division and the social structures that uphold it. Through the story of the Kim and Park families—one impoverished and cunning, the other wealthy and oblivious— Parasite explores themes of social inequality, deception, space, and the illusion of upward mobility. The film blends elements of dark comedy, thriller, and tragedy to examine how deeply entrenched class divides are, and how the desire to escape poverty can lead to moral compromise and even violence. 1. Class Divide and Social Inequality At its core, Parasite is a film about class struggle. The Kim family lives in a semi-basement apartment, a literal and figurative underworld that reflects their position in society. Their daily lives are marked by poverty, grift, and a constant fight for survival. In contrast, the Park family resides in a sleek, architecturally refined ...