Invisible Eyes: Digital Surveillance in South Korea through "Parasite"

-- By ChloeJo - 01 Dec 2024

Surveillance in the digital age has now permeated all aspects of life and is shaping the dynamic of society and the actions of individuals. The metaphor of surveillance technologies as parasites prompted me to revisit Bong Joon-ho's movie "Parasite" over the Thanksgiving break. Being at the forefront of technological innovation, South Korea offers a distinctive backdrop within which digital surveillance is intertwined with cultural norms– particularly those regarding shame and social conformity. In this essay, I would like to discuss how the movie "Parasite" illustrates the duality of digital surveillance and then relate it to broader implications within Korean society.

Duality of Digital Surveillance in "Parasite"

On one hand, surveillance functions as a means of empowerment on the part of the Kim family. They observe and control their environment to infiltrate the Parks. Ki-Woo, the son, closely monitors the Parks' daily routines to find employment opportunities, while his sister, Ki-Jung, uses her graphic design skills to forge university documents, which get her hired as an art therapist for the Park's youngest son. Furthermore, the whole family orchestrated incidents about the peach allergy incident that led to the dismissal of the existing housekeeper, using smartphones to create misleading evidence. The repurposing of surveillance technology undermines how the marginalized can use digital tools and surveillance on others to navigate the social hierarchy.

On the contrary, the Park family employs advanced surveillance systems to maintain control over their environment and the individuals who enter within. Their luxurious house is equipped with CCTV cameras, motion sensors, and smart-home devices that monitor every corner of their house. Not only does the surveillance technology symbolize their wealth and social class, but more importantly, it serves as a protective barrier against the outside world. It is more than a means for security and safety– rather, it is an exerting power over their employees. Under these watchful eyes, the Kims must work efficiently yet unobtrusively– all but invisible until they deviate from their preordained roles at the end of the movie. The internalization of surveillance, combined with the fear and anxiety of the Kims that their true identities will be exposed, dictates their actions and interactions. Thus, the constant surveillance reinforces the Kims' subordinate status and reduces them to objects of observation rather than individuals with agencies, leading to a profound sense of dehumanization.

This dynamic reveals a duality and an irony in digital surveillance: what at first was a means of empowerment for those who manipulated it to their advantage. Yet this use of surveillance technology eventually entrenched the Kims in a mechanism of oppression under the Parks.

Implications in Korean Society

A tangible example of this cultural emphasis is the widespread use of dashcams, known as "black boxes," in South Korea. These devices are commonly and unquestionably fitted in vehicles to record driving footage for deterrence against traffic violations and vandalism, providing vital evidence in cases of accidents and encouraging responsible driving behaviors. The prevalence of these black boxes shows a collective acceptance of surveillance and how surveillance is integrated into daily life, often viewed as a necessary measure to maintain social order. Surveillance acts as a mechanism to enforce social norms, encouraging individuals to adhere to expected behaviors, just as the Kims in the movie.

Taking "Law in Networking Society" made me be warned about such cultural acceptance of surveillance regarding privacy and the possibility of abuse. Normalizing surveillance can lead to a lack of critical examination, exacerbating social inequalities and overreach by authorities in power. Beyond safety and accountability, surveillance technologies act as a strong disincentive towards undesirable behaviors that fosters a culture of stifling individuality and discouraging dissidents. The psychological impact of constant surveillance, as depicted by the Kims in "Parasite," includes a sense of vulnerability in which individuals suppress their true selves to avoid negative societal scrutiny, leading to a homogenized society where diversity of thought and expression is diminished.

Governmental efforts to outlaw unauthorized surveillance activities, introduce policies that limit the duration of retained data, and demand government agencies and corporations transparency reports may be meaningful solutions. Yet, I do know laws will remain a weak deterrent to these individual conducts deeply ingrained into cultural acceptance of surveillance. Thus, I believe it is important to raise public awareness about privacy rights and what surveillance technology implies. I had very little idea about these issues before taking this course– accepting cookies and allowing applications to track my activity without much thought, Educating and encouraging people to use technologies that protect personal identities through anonymization and encryption becomes a necessary endeavor. The interplay between legal frameworks, education, and personal responsibility will help us better address the challenges posed by pervasive surveillance in our quest to live in a society that respects fundamental human freedoms.