PARASITE- Opening Scene (Up to 2 mins)
The scene starts off with a display of 4 pairs of socks hanging from the ceiling, representing a
pair for each family member. We will also notice a dirty window that opens to reveal the
backstreet view, allowing us, as an audience, to see a glimpse of daily life activity. This image
also includes the interior design of Kim's family's home. The set is matte finished with a dull
and desaturated colour palette, inculcating gloom and giving the audience a sense of austerity
and poverty, reflecting Kim's family background. The opening shot continues as the tracking
shot degrades.
The camera moves down until its eye level with the protagonist. As the scene progresses, we
observe that he (the protagonist is trying to connect to wi-fi), which has become necessary in
today's world, followed by a dialogue, "We're screwed. No more free wi-fi". This marks the
first dialogue in the film, addressing the problem or the crises of not having free wi-fi. Here,
the audiences are introduced to the title's metaphorically meaning as Kim's family relies on
their neighbours' 'free' wi-fi, like a Parasite. However, this dialogue foreshadows Kim's family
current situation.
Further, we notice one of Kim's family member eating just a loaf of bread. The colour palette
of this scene is green tinted classically evoking a feeling of envy. This symbolised the family's
social class and helps to establish that Kim's family are economically backward. By combining
this scene with the open shot, the audience are now assured that the Kim’s family are even
more backward than the people in the street.
As the scene moves on, the protagonist moves through the hallway searching for new wi-fi; the
audience is exposed to his home or the place Kim's family live, revealing the family members.
The colour palette throughout the scene remains desaturated until the protagonist finds new wi-
fi. For this scene, the colour palette is filled with warmth, giving a sense of assurance and hope.
The opening two minutes of the movie establishes the economic background and the crisis that
Kim's family face. Through the use of setting, colour palette, low key lighting to instil
shabbiness and poverty and the use of set decor, the director is successful in communicating
his ideas and establishing socio-economic situation of the Kim family.
