Bong Joon-ho Thinks That Criticism of Capitalism Helped Both ‘Parasite’ and ‘Squid Game’ Become Global Hits

Bong Joon-ho, the director of Parasite, recently shared his thoughts on the global success of his film and the Netflix series Squid Game. Both works have captured the attention of audiences around the world, with Parasite winning Best Picture at the Oscars in 2019 and grossing over $260 million globally.

Squid Game, on the other hand, became the most-watched show in the U.S. on Netflix.

Ahead of his new film Mickey 17, Bong spoke about the worldwide appeal of Squid Game and Parasite. He explained that when making Parasite, he didn’t think much about its global impact.

He also mentioned a conversation he had with Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, who had the same mindset. Bong believes the success of both works comes from their exploration of society’s hierarchy and capitalism—themes that resonate universally since most countries experience these issues.

He said, ‘While making Parasite, I never had the thought of “This will translate well globally.” But I talked with Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director who made Squid Game, and he told me he never intended it, either. He just made it, and it’s on Netflix, so it spread all over the world. But it wasn’t surprising, because Parasite and Squid Game were about the hierarchy of society. Simply speaking, they’re about capitalism. And except for one or two countries, everyone’s living under capitalism — it’s a universal language.’

Bong also reflected on how Parasite touches on themes of infiltration and whether someone can truly belong in a world that is so different from the one they were born into.

He pointed to a scene where the protagonist returns to his flooded basement apartment after experiencing the wealth of his new employer. Bong revealed that this idea was inspired by his own life experiences.

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