The first half of the movie seems very light and fun, almost like I was watching a K-drama, as we are introduced to the poor but close-knit Kim family and the rich but detached Park family.
Son Ki-woo (Choi WooShik) fakes credentials to become tutor to the Park's daughter and, upon realizing that the Park Mother Yeoungyo (Cho Yeojeoung) is a bit naive about things...
...manages to con her into hiring his sister (the very pretty Park Sodam) as the Park's young son's art teacher as well.
Sensing an opportunity, They make plans to get the housekeeper and limo driver fired, and eventually manage to get Father (Song Kang-ho) and Mother (Chang Hyae-jin) employed in their stead. Suddenly the whole house is run by the Kims with the Parks oblivious to the con.
For a brief while, the Kims are living the high life as the Parks' employees (even having parties and gorging on their food and drink when the family is out)...
...but there is something sinister about the huge mansion and there are dark secrets hidden within the walls.Suddenly, the film shifts moods and it feels more like we are watching a horror movie with danger and death around every corner.
And as the film builds up, the Poor class is pit against the Rich class and as all the facades fall, it's hard to determine who the parasitic ones are and who the just are!
After I had finished watching it, my initial reaction was something like , "Huh. That was one CRAZy and eccentric flick!!"But the more I thought of it, the more I realized how layered the movie was, with all the picturesque symbolism and double-meanings in the objects and actions of the film.
Going onto the film forums and doing some reading, there were people who pointed out aspects I hadn't thought of, and others who solidified my own personal perceptions of the film. There were also many whom I vehemently disagreed with, but in the end it was just great to have such a rousing discussion about a film again!
