Parasite (2019) is a Korean movie which got international success and was rated highly due to sharp social commentary on class inequality with a thrilling, genre-bending plot combined together, but the dynamic of the movie is expressed from a SK point of view about economic pressures and modern class divides.

There are also cultural contexts to keep in mind that won’t translate into American culture such as:

  • Banjiha housing: The Kim family reside in a semi-basement apartment, which is a distinct urban housing type in Seoul born from historical 1970s civil defense laws.
  • Jjapaguri: The upper-class Mrs. Park orders jjapaguri (a mix of two instant noodles, Chapagetti and Neoguri) topped with expensive Korean beef Hanwoo, a specific local comfort food combo.
  • National health exams: There are specific plot points relying on South Korea’s public health system and annual medical checkup schedules.
  • Suseok: The gift of a decorative viewing stone satirizes traditional Korean middle-class aspirations for wealth and prestige.

Even if they could recreate an English-language remake of Parasite, would there have to be adjustments in order to suit American subculture? As in, Suseok isn’t a thing in America and Westerners don’t eat Jjapaguri, so they may replace that with something entirely different or swap Jjapaguri for another noodle dish or pasta.

Will a US remake really carry the same impact as the original if it were to be created? Would it be good or turn out terrible as it’s hard to capture what makes the original special for audiences?

  • inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world
    2·
    17 hours ago

    It’s not categorically impossible, but unlikely. However it seems the American version will instead be a HBO show.

    Bong is teaming up with “The Big Short” and “Vice” director Adam McKay to co-executive produce the series. It’s supposed to be an English language remake of the Oscar-winning film, but with more subplots and characters.

    The guy who directed the Anchorman and Ricky Bobby movies isn’t giving me a lot of hope. Even more serious stuff like “The Big Short” doesn’t seem like a qualifier to handle this type of social commentary. I’d much rather see someone like the Coen brothers who are known for wry dry sarcasm and microfocusing on small communities.

    Adding more “characters and subplots” sounds like an attempt justifying more episodes, the source had a fleshed out world in a movie. Are we adding things that actually improve the story or padding the numbers?

    Idk, I’ll eat my words if it turns out great, I just don’t see much reason to get my hopes up.