The Human Nature of Seeking 'Someone Below' and Myself—'Parasite'

'Parasite' left me with a sense of resignation and compassion, realizing that humans are just that kind of creature. For me, it is a work that deepened my understanding of humanity.

*The following contains spoilers.

While watching 'Parasite', I thought there could have been a different outcome.

The first half shows a poor family infiltrating a wealthy household using fake identities. What began like a thrilling comedy changes completely after one night, when it is revealed that another hidden pair exists in the mansion's basement.

The protagonist's family living in a semi-basement and those two living hidden in the mansion's basement. They are both people trying to survive in the same house without being discovered.

I thought they could have coexisted well instead of opposing each other. They could have cooperated to continue parasitizing the wealthy family without being noticed. I thought that approach might have been possible.

But that is not what happened.

The moment an existence 'below' them appeared, both families desperately tried to stand even one step 'above' the other instead of helping them.

The shocking development lasted only a moment, and then a sense of conviction followed. Because I also had personal experience with this.

No matter what position people are in, they create hierarchies. Every time I heard such talk, I denied that I was that kind of person. However, one day, I was forced to realize it.


When I saw someone more nervous than me, my own nervousness strangely subsided.

It is difficult to control the degree of nervousness on one's own. Therefore, I interpreted it as having felt superior at an instinctual level upon seeing someone more nervous than myself. I had to admit that I, too, am that kind of creature, regardless of differences in environment or degree.

I had to accept that I, as a human, am also that kind of creature, regardless of the environment or the degree of the situation.

Perhaps this work struck a chord with me because I have felt this atmosphere of hierarchy in various environments throughout my life.

The places I was in as a child had a somewhat tense atmosphere. A feeling where people's rumors and circumstances were treated like entertainment.

The places I put myself in afterward were different. Even though there were many different people, there was an overall sense of ease, and people were generous toward others.

Such an atmosphere was also reflected in the reactions to my Thai roots. In some places, it was consumed as an object that brought a sense of superiority, while in others, it was respected as an individual trait.

While I realized that the atmosphere certainly changes depending on the place even among the same people, I had always wondered about that difference.

Is it people's personalities?
Is it their upbringing?
Is it a matter of having enough room to spare?

Without a clear answer, I have seen both sides. Perhaps that is why, when I saw that basement scene, I felt like everything connected.
Perhaps that is why, when I saw that basement scene, I felt like everything connected.

There were no villains.
Everyone was just desperate in their own position.

Even so, it ended up that way.

Perhaps I should have had the impression that 'everyone should join hands' or 'we need a society without inequality.'

However, I was simply convinced by the human nature depicted in this work. I even feel a sense of guilt for feeling that way.

mari.

Afterword
'Parasite' is one of my favorite films. But it's not the kind of favorite that I want to watch over and over again. It was a work that, in a single viewing, gouged out the deepest parts of me with relentless intensity. In contrast, a film I love just as much as 'Parasite' but watch repeatedly is 'La La Land'.Scenes where you aren't chosen by someoneWhen I face moments like that, or when I think about the paths I didn't choose in life, watching it while wallowing in sentimentality makes me feel better.

I also touch upon 'Parasite' in the following text. It is about a scene from the film that I can't help but remember on days when there is a torrential downpour in Thailand.

I've also written things like this