Buzz
Witness a Seoul without the glitz and glamour through the eyes of Parasite's characters. Why not?
Remarkable Achievements of the Movie Parasite at the 2020 Oscars
A new milestone in cinema history was set as Bong Joon Ho's film Parasite (Ký Sinh Trùng) claimed four prestigious Oscar statues. It marks the first time a non-English film has clinched the top spot at the Academy Awards. Parasite's triumph is not just an honor for South Korea but also a groundbreaking moment for Asian cinema as a whole.
Satirical commentary on the class division in South Korean society, Parasite revolves around the contrasting lives of two families in Seoul—one struggling for each meal, the other living comfortably in the city center's affluent neighborhood. To experience the light and dark shades of life in Parasite, join Klook in exploring the iconic film sets that graced the big screen.
Note: This article contains spoilers for Parasite
For an authentic experience akin to the Kim family, embrace the Seoul public transportation system as your main mode of exploration to film locations around the city.
Seoul Spots Featured in Parasite
1. Basement Apartment
The film kicks off in a basement apartment in Seoul—damp and somewhat gloomy. This is the home of the main characters in Parasite—the Kim family. Many viewers believed this apartment was purely fictional, emphasizing the message of poverty. However, this type of apartment does exist in South Korea and is known as Banjiha.
These underground apartments—Banjiha—originated during the Korean War as bomb shelters. Today, Banjiha still serves as the abode for thousands of Seoul residents. It might be challenging to check-in at an actual Banjiha (as they are all private properties), but you can certainly have a memorable experience with the 4-hour private tour in Seoul with a local guide available on Klook.
Klook #teamtip: Don't struggle to steal Wi-Fi signals like the Kim family; equip yourself with a 4G SIM card or Wi-Fi device instead.
2. Woori Convenience Store
The Woori Convenience Store is where Ki-woo receives the offer to be a tutor from his close friend, during a warm 'cheers' session with a bottle of soju. It's a small detail but sets the stage for the main plot development. In reality, this convenience store is called Doijissal and suddenly became a 'star' when the movie was released, attracting both tourists and locals for photo sessions.
After some 'snap and check-in' boredom, you can try some nostalgic snacks from Hanoi's childhood memories. Why wait? Go now!
Doijissal Convenience Store
- Address: 32, Songijeong-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
-
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 12:30 AM
3. President Park's Mansion
On the other side of the city lies a colossal mansion—the residence of President Park's family. Although a specially constructed film set, the mansion shares similarities with homes in Gangnam and Pyeongchang-dong, renowned hubs for the elite in South Korea.
To experience the luxurious lifestyle and admire the unique architecture here, book the Seoul Bus Tour (Gangnam and Night Routes). After a 1-hour 15-minute journey, travelers can unwind at 1899 Daechi Spa.
4. Pizza Age (Sky Pizza)
Summoning Pizza enthusiasts! The eyewitness to the Kim family's final deception, Sky Pizza, is actually a small pizza shop that has been around for over 17 years. When visiting, #teamKlook, don't forget to savor some top-notch dishes like:
- Crispy fried chicken.
- Golden sweet potato pizza with melted cheese.
- Dakgangjeong - fried chicken with sweet and sour sauce, made from a secret recipe.
Sky Pizza
- Address: 86, Noryangjin-ro 6-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
- Opening Hours: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Contact: +82-2-822-3082
5. Staircase Leading to Jahamun Tunnel
When it comes to iconic staircases on the big screen, Rocky takes the spotlight. However, after the debut of 'Parasite,' the list expanded to include the staircase leading to Jahamun Tunnel. Personally chosen by director Bong Joon-Ho, this location is a crucial image depicting the wealth disparity between the two families in 'Parasite.' The path home for the Kim siblings from the mansion is just a long descending staircase, where the light fades whether day or night. Here, you can vividly feel the atmosphere portrayed in the film, especially during rainy weather.
Pro tip for #teamKlook: For a more enchanting experience, take some time to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace near the tunnel.
Jahamun Tunnel
Address: 219, Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Additional Tips When Exploring 'Parasite' Film Locations
6. Overnight Camping Experience
The film reaches its climax when the Park family goes camping, temporarily transferring control of the mansion to the Kim family and Chung-sook. Due to weather issues, the Parks unexpectedly cancel the trip and return home amidst chaos.
Although the exact location isn't specified, based on their status and lifestyle, it's likely this affluent family would choose a high-end camping site. Some options for you to consider are Nanji Hangang Park, Raventree Resort, Seoul Grand Park Camping Zone, Jade Garden, or Naejangsan National Park.
7. Learn to Cook Ramdon (Jjapaguri)
The Ramdon moment on screen marked the beginning of a real-world quest for the unique Korean dish. Did you know that Ramdon's role in 'Parasite' goes beyond being a delicious meal? It serves as a clever metaphor for the inseparable nature of wealth and poverty. If you want to master the art of cooking 'authentic' Ramdon, join the cooking classes below:
- Common Korean Seasonal Cooking Class + Traditional Market Experience
- Korean-style Fried Chicken Cooking Class
8. Learn to be 'Jessica from Chicago'
Using catchy tunes and clever lyrics for learning is a familiar technique in Asian culture. In 'Parasite,' Ki-Jeong used a rap song to memorize her fake identity - Jessica Jingle from Chicago, USA.
Experience singing and dancing in Korea is sure to delight every die-hard Kpop fan. Don't forget to invite friends or family to join fun activities like these:
- Recording Experience with K-Pop Standard
- K-Pop Dance Class in Seoul for Beginners
9. Watch 'Parasite' in Black and White
To express love for classical cinema, director Bong Joon-Ho produced a black and white version of this legendary film. According to him, viewers can better sense the wealth disparity when enjoying the edited version.
