'Parasite' neighborhood embraces Oscar triumph

Pig Rice Supermarket, which goes by the name Woori Supermarket in “Parasite” / Korea Times photo by Park Hyung-gi

But not all people are happy

By Kwak Yeon-soo

“Parasite” locations have been crowded with tourists since the film won four Oscars at the 92nd Academy Awards earlier this month. But the popularity of the venues is proving to be unwelcome to some inhabitants of the neighborhood as they have to deal with the fallout, such as traffic congestion.

Some of them complain that hundreds of camera-wielding visitors is bringing inconvenience and delaying redevelopment of the area.

Much of the film was shot on purpose-built sets in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, but the Kim family's semi basement home and shabby streets were inspired by or set in real neighborhoods in Seoul.

“Parasite” is a story of two economically polarized families, one poor and one wealthy. The story develops as the son of the impoverished family, with the help of his sister, fabricates his educational background and begins to work as a tutor for the daughter of the wealthy family.

Recently, Seoul Metropolitan Government announced a plan to attract more tourists to “Parasite” locations by promoting four filming locations on its tourism website and organizing regular tours with film experts.

Despite the spread of COVID-19 crisis, many film fans and tourists are already visiting the spots where the scenes were filmed.

Pig Rice Supermarket

Early in the film, Kim Ki-woo, played by Choi Woo-shik, is seen drinking soju with his friend Min-hyuk, played by Park Seo-joon, outside Woori Supermarket (real name Pig Rice Supermarket). There he receives an offer to tutor Parks' teenage daughter, which is the beginning of the Kim family's tragedy.

This scene was filmed at a small grocery store located in Ahyeon-dong, western Seoul.

Lee Jeong-shik, 77, the owner of the Pig Rice Supermarket, said a lot of reporters and tourists have visited his place since the film won the awards.

“There have been reporters from the U.S., Japan and Spain. Earlier today, actor Kim Young-cheol visited our place for a documentary,” Lee told The Korea Times.

“Many just take photos outside the store and pass by, while some others come inside and buy snacks and beverages. That's very nice of them.”

Lee, who has been running the shop with his wife for 45 years, said “Parasite” aroused deep sympathy. “As I watched the film, I felt like they put my life right in there. I could totally relate to the Kim family,” he said.

On the city government's plan to create a “Parasite” tour, Lee responded positively. “It would be nice if more people visited our store,” he said.

However, Lee and some residents are worried that the neighborhood may not be redeveloped. The neighborhood used to be filled with hanok (traditional Korean houses), which later were redeveloped into small villas about 35 years ago, according to Lee.

“My house is filled with mold because it's too old,” he said. “Though I really appreciate the influx of visitors, I want this place to be redeveloped in the near future.”

Location: 32 Songijeong-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

The stairs located one minute away from Pig Rice Supermarket appear in the scene where Kim Ki-jeong, played by Park So-dam, buys peaches and carries them to Park family's home. / Korea Times photo by Park Hyung-gi

The steps to Park's house

The steps appear in the scene where Kim Ki-jeong, played by Park So-dam, buys peaches and carries them to the Park's home.

These steps play a significant role in “Parasite,” highlighting a class divide between the Kim and Park families. The steps are situated just one minute away from the Pig Rice Supermarket.

Though the city government warns visitor not to disrupt the lives of Ahyeon-dong residents as it is a quiet residential area, many are busy taking photos and blocking pedestrian traffic.

A resident surnamed Kim complained about excessive photo shoots and loud noises. “Recently, Japanese tourists glanced inside my house and took photos of my window. I almost freaked out,” Kim said.

“They were searching for Parasite filming locations. I had no idea that our neighborhood was in the film. I had never heard of Parasite before my daughter explained it to me.”

When asked if she was willing to go to the theater to watch the film, she said, “No, that's too expensive.”

Location: 3 Songijeong-ro, 6-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul

The staircase outside Jahamun Tunnel is featured in the film when the Kim family heads after escaping from Parks' home amid heavy rain. / Korea Times file

The way back home in heavy rain

Just like the steps to the Park's home, the steps outside the Jahamun Tunnel symbolizes the disparities between the rich and the poor.

The steps by the tunnel were seen when the Kim family fled from the Park's house after the wealthy family returned home unexpectedly from a camping trip cancelled due to heavy rain.

Jofrey Carvalho, 26, came all the way from Brazil to visit “Parasite” filming locations. A big fan of Korean films and dramas, he watched “Parasite” twice in Sao Paulo.

“This is my second time in Korea. The main purpose of my visit is to go to Parasite filming spots,” Carvalho said.

He said the tunnel scene was his favorite part of the film. “We have major class differences in Brazil too, so it was relatable,” he said. “I think social disparity is now a universal topic.”

Location: 219, Jahamun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Sky Pizza, which goes by the name Pizza Age in “Parasite” / Korea Times photo by Kwak Yeon-soo

Sky Pizza

In one early scene, the Kim family is shown folding pizza boxes for Pizza Generation; a pizza delivery business.

The store reappears when Choong-sook, played by Jang Hye-jin, and her children Ki-woo and Ki-jeong are portrayed eating pizza there as they scheme to get rid of the housemaid working for the Park family.

It was actually filmed at a family-run pizzeria named Sky Pizza, located in Dongjak District in Seoul. Inside the restaurant, autographed photos of director Bong Joon-ho, pizza boxes and props used in the film are on display.

Eom Hang-ki, 65, who has run the store for more than 17 years, said she was pleased with tourists and reporters showing up at her store.

“When Barunson E&A employees first visited our store and requested permission to shoot at our store, I was hesitant,” Eom said. “However, my daughter and son-in-law, who is from Norway, were fans of director Bong Joon-ho so I accepted the request.”

She said the city government officials recently came to her store to add photo zones. “I'm flattered by all the attention. Sales have gone up compared with last year despite the coronavirus outbreak,” Eom said. “It's true that the neighborhood is a redevelopment zone, but I want the store to be preserved.”

She showed a guestbook filled with positive comments. “We are glad that we finally visit Sky Pizza as one of the filming locations of 'Parasite',” Sally from the Philippines wrote in the guestbook.

Location: 86, Noryangjin-ro 6-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul