Title: 기생충 | Gisaengchoong | Parasite
Genre: Drama | Suspense
Distributed: CJ Entertainment
Release Date: May 30, 2019
Synopsis:
Ki-Taek’s family is very poor who lives in an underground basement in the slams of Seoul. All of them unemployed but quite skilled to hassle and con others. Thus, when Ki-Taek’s son, Ki-Woo, got an opportunity to weasel his way and became the tutor of Mr. Park’s very rich daughter, Da-Hye, Ki-Woo didn’t waste time to ensure that the rest of his family worm its way to work at the Park’s household. The story evolves on the disparity of the way rich and poor people live, however, as Ki-Taek’s family tries to enjoy their fortune of being able to at least taste how the other half lives, an interesting twist of fate occurred that changed all the lives of both the Ki-Taek’s and Park’s family.
Characters:
- Song Kang-Ho as Ki-Taek
- Jang Hye-Jin as Choong-Sook
- Choi Woo-Sik as Ki-Woo
- Park So-Dam as Ki-Jung
- Lee Sun-Kyun as Mr. Park
- Cho Yeo-Jeong as Yeon-Kyo
- Jung Ji-So as Da-Hye
- Jeong Hyun-Jun as Da-Song
- Lee Jung-Eun as Moon-Gwang
- Park Seo-Joon as Min-Hyuk
- Park Myoung-Hoon as Geun-Se
- Park Keun-Rok as Chauffeur Yoon
- Jung Yi-Seo as Pizzeria Manager
- Lee Joo-Hyung as Party Man 3
- Ahn Seong-Bong as Man 1 Provoking Quarrel on Street
- Kim Kyu-Baek as Drunk Guy 1
- Lee Dong-Yong as Drunk Guy 2
- Lee Ji-Hye as Vocalist
- Kim Bo-Ryung as Cellist
- Go Gwan-Jae as Doctor
- Yoon Hye-Ri as JTBC Reporter
My Review:
I have seen this film last year but really didn’t get around to do its review as I got so distracted last year with a lot of stressful things in my life. When I finally read the other reviews that reflects what I felt when I saw it and got awarded not only in South Korea but in Hollywood, I was glad that it got the accolades it truly deserve. So, I finally got the time to post the reviews I have done for quite some time which included this one. I don’t know if it still matters as many have probably seen it already but I can’t still not post my review as it was indeed one of the best films one can watch whether one is a K-drama addict like me or not.
So, What do I Like About this K-Film?
(1) Even if I don’t often review on the technical aspect like directing, writing and cinematography and do review based more on how entertaining and good the story was, I truly got to hand it to the director, Bong Joon-Ho, the brilliance of his execution on this story. True the screenplay was great but it was how the story was presented to the audience that was the genius of it all. Typically, stories has a beginning, middle and ending but Bong Joon-Ho’s style is different on this. His style also has 1 story with beginning, middle and ending but there’s another hidden story that coincide with the 1st one. It took me totally by surprise as it was done flawlessly smooth in its interjection on the 1st story. He really deserved to win all the awards locally and internationally including best director and picture in the Oscars.
(2) The story was simple yet relevant to the current society that made it relatable to all walks of life and all over the world. It doesn’t matter if you like reading the subtitles or not because the film was so good that you wouldn’t even notice you’re reading one. It has achieved in perfection the blend of different genres without losing its cohesiveness and going way off of the rails from its core.
(3) The ensemble cast is also to behold. As a K-drama addict, I already know how great Korean actors are and how good they are in creating dramas and films, however, this is a rare occasion when I get to see that all of the ensemble cast have equally brought their superb talents on the table. Each are able to portray their characters so it can present to the audience a truly work of art that I have not seen in a long time in any films whether in English or in other languages.
(4) The cinematography, locations, music and symbolism used on this film were gelled together to enhance the story and make everything more than 2-dimensional. They made this film worthy to watch more than once and discover more gems of messages hidden to add layer on its story.
(5) It is actually a dark and sad story yet the entire production was able to create a film that’s truly entertaining and bewitching to watch with a worthy message about humanity.
What I do Not Like About this K-Film?
Honestly, nothing. It is simply perfect.
Would I recommend this K-Movie? 100% YES
My Rating to this Korean Film
( See My Rating System: ) 5/5 Stars
OST:
01. Opening – Various Artists
02. Conciliation I – Various Artists
03. On the Way to Rich House – Various Artists
04. Conciliation II – Various Artists
05. Plum Juice – Various Artists
06. Mr. Yoon and Park – Various Artists
07. Conciliation III – Various Artists
08. The Belt of Faith – Various Artists
09. Moon Gwang Left – Various Artists
10. Camping – Various Artists
11. The Hellgate – Various Artists
12. Heartrending Story of Bubu – Various Artists
13. Zappaguri – Various Artists
14. Ghost – Various Artists
15. The Family is Busy – Various Artists
16. Busy to Survive – Various Artists
17. The Frontal Lobe of Ki Taek – Various Artists
18. Water, Ocean – Various Artists
19. Water, Ocean Again – Various Artists
20. It is Sunday Morning – Various Artists
21. Blood and Sword – Various Artists
22. Yasan – Various Artists
23. Moving – Various Artists
24. Ending – Various Artists
25. Soju One Glass – Choi Wooshik & Jung Jaeil