Social and economic class differences in Parasite: A structural analysis of Bong Joon-ho’s movie script

Abstract

Bong Joon-ho's Parasite has attracted considerable scholarly attention due to its compelling portrayal of social inequality and class conflict within contemporary South Korean society. This study examines the representation of social and economic class differences in the Parasite movie script through a structural literary analysis. Employing a qualitative descriptive design, the study uses library research as its primary method of data collection. The primary data consist of dialogues, scenes, and narrative elements contained in the official movie script, while supporting data are obtained from books, journal articles, and other scholarly references related to literary criticism, social class, and structuralism. Data were analyzed by identifying, categorizing, and interpreting narrative elements that illustrate class distinctions and the values embedded within the interactions between the Kim and Park families. The findings demonstrate that social and economic inequality is represented not only through differences in wealth, occupation, and living conditions but also through language, symbols, spatial settings, and interpersonal relationships. The film portrays class disparity as a complex social structure that influences human behavior, moral choices, and power relations. Rather than positioning one social group solely as the victim or the oppressor, Parasite illustrates mutual dependency between social classes while exposing structural inequalities that sustain exploitation. These findings contribute to literary studies by demonstrating how cinematic narratives employ structural elements to construct social criticism and encourage critical reflection on contemporary class relations