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초록

This paper utilizes the framework of ‘triangular desire’to analyze the film, “Parasite”, directed by Bong Jun Ho. The basis of Girard’s idea is that a desire for an object is not the result of direct and autonomous attachment, but rather as a form of mimicry of a subject of desire, also referred to as a mediator. It was Min-Hyuk that acted as a mediator when Ki-woo fell in love with Da-hye, the daughter of Mr. Park. What is notable about such mimetic desire is that it is contagious. In Da-hye’s perspective, it was ironically the existence of Ki-jung, whom she mistook as Ki-woo’s girlfriend, that led her to be so enthusiastic towards Ki-woo. For Da-hye, Ki-jung was the mediator for her desire for Ki-woo. Ki-taek and Geun-sae also form a frame of triangular desire through their mutual mediation around Mr. Park. We can witness this when Ki-taek later adopts the exact ritual that Geun-sae practiced in the underground bunker when expressing his respect for Mr. Park. In the same sense, Chung-sook and Moon-gwang form another triangular desire revolving around Yeon-gyo, observable when Chung-sook later adopts the pretentious manners previously embodied by Moon-gwang. In a sense, it was Geun-sae and Moon-gwang that respectively indulged the mimetic desires of Ki-tae and Chung-sook. The frame of triangular desire becomes even more visible when we group individual characters into families. It can be observed that the mediation of Moon-gwang and Geun-sae led to the Kims perceiving the Parks as a target of desire. Eventually, conflict arising from mimetic competition is escalated to a point where difference is obliterated, and everything falls apart. This paper underlines how well the film ‘Parasite’ fits into Girard’s concept of desire, as if it was a case study for mimetic desire.

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