Bong Joon-ho in Japan: "'Parasite' is a Question About How to Coexist"

'Parasite' Records Highest Box Office Revenue for a Korean Film in Japan
Bong Joon-ho Thanks About 500 Audience Members at Tokyo Roppongi Cinema

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jong-gil] “The characters in the movie don’t seem like such bad people, so why do they fail to coexist? Why is coexistence so difficult?” These are the words of director Bong Joon-ho, who won the Academy Award for Best Picture with the film Parasite. In an interview with Japan's NHK on the 24th, he stated, “I wanted to pose this question by tragically showing the failure of coexistence.”

His stated intention in making the film is a reflection on how to “coexist” rather than “parasitize.” Director Bong said, “When you look at the wealthy family in the movie, they are also parasitizing the labor of the poor, such as driving, dishwashing, and laundry.” He continued, “When the rich and the poor become entangled in one space, they unintentionally cross boundaries, hurt each other, and reach an extreme tragedy.”

Parasite encapsulates the harsh reality where coexistence is difficult even for ordinary people. When Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho) and Chung-sook (Jang Hye-jin) enter Dong-ik’s (Lee Sun-kyun) house, Yoon Ki-sa (Park Geun-rok) and Moon-gwang (Lee Jung-eun) lose their jobs. Dong-ik regards them merely as people to be used when needed. A representative scene is when Dong-ik mutters to Ki-taek in his private car, “Why do I suddenly crave galbijjim today?” He says, “Our housekeeper used to make galbijjim really well,” but then adds, “Well, there are plenty of housekeepers. If we find another, it’s no big deal.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Parasite was released in Japan under the title Parasite - The Family in the Basement and attracted about 2.2 million viewers by the 22nd. Ticket sales revenue reached approximately 3 billion yen (about 32.7 billion KRW). Surpassing the 2005 hit A Moment to Remember, it became the highest-grossing Korean film ever in Japan.

On the same day, director Bong, along with actor Song Kang-ho, visited a cinema in Roppongi, Tokyo, to thank about 500 audience members. He said, “I am grateful for the warm response from everyone who watched the film. I am happier with your reactions than with winning the Academy Award.” He added, “I hope this will lead to a world where, as before, we take an interest in each other’s films between Korea and Japan.”

Song Kang-ho said, “I realize that the power of film lies in its ability to evoke empathy even when languages differ.” He emphasized, “It is important that Korean audiences enjoy Japanese films and that you in Japan enjoy Korean films. Mutual contact and empathy are crucial.”