Oscar winner Parasite predicted Seoul's Banjiha flooding tragedy 3 years ago

Remember the claustrophobic flooding scene in Parasite? Three years after Bong Joon-ho’s 2020 Best Picture Oscar winner served as a cautionary tale, Korean authorities moved to ban the infamous semi-basement flats after 13 people drowned in Seoul floods.

Chronicle of a flood foretold: The Oscar history-maker followed the story of a poor South Korean Kim family living in a tiny, dark semi-basement and their attempts at infiltrating a wealthy Park family, who live in a glamorous home in Seoul. The film went on to win four Oscars including Best International Feature, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director and Best Picture. 

Bong Joon-ho received universal acclaim for his scathing depiction of class differences in Seoul. And the notorious semi-basement flats, known as ‘Banjihas’, home to the Kim family, exemplified the stark contrast between the haves and have-nots in Seoul society.

According to the Borgen Project, Banjihas initially emerged to protect citizens from the war with North Korea in 1953 by acting as bunkers in case of a national emergency. The law required these bunkers during this era.

As time went by, South Korea eased construction laws and permitted Banjihas to act as actual homes after the 1980 housing crisis. 

Due to the underground nature and minimal airflow, there is often dampness and mould in these tiny spaces, which manifests itself into a distinct smell and lingers within the walls, floors, bedding sheets and even clothing.

A stark divide: South Korea’s Banjihas not only represent a state of poverty, but they also represent the substantial social divide in South Korea. 

Space and height became symbolic of social status. The higher a person lives, the higher social status people add to that individual’s persona; an image that Joon-ho capitalises on continuously while capturing the geography of the film. 

According to Seoul public data, Seoul was home to about 200,000 semi-basement flats in 2020, comprising 5% of all households in the city. Over time, public outcry to provide more affordable housing, improve living conditions in Banjihas, or phase them out altogether has only increased.

What now: Following the massive torrential rains and deaths caused by the flooding, the Seoul city government released a statement banning Banjihas for residential purposes in the future. Banjihas are "a backward housing type that threatens the housing-vulnerable in all aspects, including safety and residential environment, and should now be eliminated," said Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

Bong Joon-ho’s almost prophetic social commentary rings sonorous these few years after its historic Oscar win.