Parásitos | Subir la ESCALERA DE CLASES | Relato y Reflexión

The Struggles of the Kim Family

Daily Life and Survival

• The Kim family lives in a semi-basement, struggling daily to survive by working odd jobs, including delivering pizza.

• They resort to stealing Wi-Fi from a neighbor and leave windows open for free pest control, despite the smoke inhalation.

Introduction of Min and Opportunity

• Min visits with a stone that supposedly attracts wealth and proposes an opportunity for Ki-Woo to substitute as an English tutor for the wealthy Park family.

• Min instructs Ki-Woo to fake his university credentials since Mrs. Park is portrayed as gullible.

Class Divide: The Kims vs. The Parks

Interview at the Park Mansion

• Ki-Woo heads to the affluent Park mansion, symbolizing upward mobility contrasted with the downward plight of his own family.

• He meets Moon, the housekeeper who has been employed there since previous owners, highlighting continuity in class structures.

Securing Employment

• During an interview with Mrs. Park, she does not verify Ki-Woo's documents but trusts Min’s recommendation.

• After impressing during a trial lesson with Da-Hai (Mrs. Park's daughter), he secures the tutoring position.

Expanding Opportunities within the Parks

Introducing Key-Jung

• Ki-Woo recommends his sister Key-Jung as an art therapist after learning about Mrs. Park's struggle to find a good art teacher.

• Key-Jung pretends to be highly qualified based on superficial research online while securing her position through deception.

Manipulating Situations for Advantage

• As Ki-Woo teaches Da-Hai, he uncovers emotional trauma reflected in her drawings, which surprises Mrs. Park when mentioned.

Deception and Strategy

Displacing Moon

• The Kims plot against Moon by exploiting her peach allergy; they create situations leading her to believe she is ill.

• Mr. Kim takes photos of Moon at the doctor’s office under false pretenses to convince Mrs. Park that she should be dismissed.

Family Dynamics and Employment Gains

• All members of the Kim family secure jobs through recommendations rather than qualifications—highlighting social commentary on privilege versus meritocracy.

Illusions of Wealth

Living Conditions and Aspirations

• Despite their new jobs improving their living conditions slightly, they remain trapped in their basement lifestyle while dreaming of better circumstances.

A Day Off Turns Chaotic

• While the Parks go camping for Da-Song's birthday, leaving Mrs. Kim behind, it presents an opportunity for mischief from the Kims.

Secrets Unveiled

Encounter with Moon

• A storm interrupts plans; Moon returns claiming she left something behind in the basement where secrets are hidden.

Discovery of Hidden Truth

• Upon investigation, they discover a secret bunker where Moon’s husband has been hiding from loan sharks for four years—a stark contrast between their lives and those above ground.

Power Shift Among Families

• When confronted by Moon about their deception towards the Parks , tensions rise as both families vie for control over information that could expose them .

The Struggles of the Kim Family

Trauma and Desperation

• The narrative begins with a depiction of a child, Da Song, sending an SOS message in Morse code by hitting light switches, reflecting his desperate situation. Mr. Kim finds this idea ridiculous.

• Mrs. Park shares the traumatic experience of Da Song witnessing a ghost while trying to steal his birthday cake, leading to severe convulsions that require immediate medical attention.

Escaping Reality

• As the Kims attempt to escape their dire circumstances during a rainstorm, they find solace under a table while the Parks monitor their son on the couch.

• The Kims return to their flooded apartment, likened to rats fleeing back into sewers, salvaging belongings including the "stone of abundance," symbolizing false hope.

Class Disparities

• While staying at a shelter without plans for recovery, Mrs. Park organizes an impromptu birthday party for her son. This highlights class blindness as she praises rain as a blessing despite its devastating impact on others.

• The contrast between rich and poor is emphasized when Mrs. Park makes faces at Mr. Kim's odor, showcasing how wealth can blind individuals to harsh realities faced by less privileged families.

Tensions Rise

• At the party, tensions escalate as Ki-Woo (Ki-Jung’s brother) interacts with Da Hai but remains unaware of her tragic fate.

• A violent confrontation occurs when Mr. Kim stabs Ki-Jung in revenge for his wife's death; chaos ensues as family dynamics unravel amidst desperation.

The Cycle of Poverty

• In frantic moments over car keys during an emergency, it becomes evident that both classes are competing against each other for survival rather than uniting against systemic issues.

• Mrs. Kim's actions reflect how individuals become objects or obstacles in pursuit of personal gain; this theme underscores societal views on class struggles.

Consequences and Realizations

• After killing Ki-Jung in confusion and despair, Mr. Kim experiences mental breakdown upon learning about his family's losses; laughter becomes his coping mechanism amid tragedy.

• Later scenes reveal Mr. Kim hiding in the basement after burying Moon in the garden; he sends Morse messages hoping for reunion with his son—a poignant metaphor for lost dreams and social mobility fantasies.

Social Commentary

• The film critiques social mobility myths: those born into poverty often remain trapped due to systemic inequalities—74% of Mexicans born poor die poor.

• It calls for awareness among society regarding disparities faced by marginalized groups and emphasizes collective efforts needed to create equal opportunities for all.