Christ the King College

GRADUATE SCHOOL
Calbayog City, Samar

ABSTRACT

Semiotics in Bong-Joon Ho’s “Parasite”

by
Anabelle O. Ronato
MAEd English

Dr. Erwin L. Purcia

Adviser

This qualitative study employed Charles Sanders Pierce’s Semiotic Theory

in analysing Bong Joon-Ho’s film “Parasite”. The researcher particularly used
Pierce theory of signs to identify the icons, indexes and symbols present in the
scenes in order to derive the theme of the film. Through semiotic analysis, the
concept and themes will be deciphered using the present signs.
This study arrived at the findings that the characters in the movie
portrayed the reality of belonging to a privileged and underprivileged family
where inequalities surmounted. Respect to the haves while discrimination to the
have-nots, convenience to the wealthy but burden to the poor, abundance to the
rich and scarcity to the poor. These portrayals reigned disparity and shattered
equality.
Moreover, it was found out that the icons, indexes and symbols depict
abundance, prosperity and misfortune to the characters. The themes evolve in the
societal issues of inequality. The hopelessness, misery, sufferings and
opportunistic exploitation of survival were conveyed. Through this study using
Charles Sanders Pierce’s Semiotic theory the film analysis deciphered the stigma
of wealth, authority, and biases that prompt the parasitic symbiosis between the
rich and the poor.
Keywords: Semiotic Analysis; Symbolisms; Signs; Virtual Representations;
Theme
 Christ the King College
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Calbayog City, Samar

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

First and foremost, I would like to praise and thank God, the Almighty, who has
granted countless blessing, knowledge and opportunity so that I have been finally able to
finish my thesis study. Through the intercession of Blessed Mary, Our Mother whom I
thanked for the Motherly guidance and through the intercession of the Holy Spirit for the
wisdom showered upon me. To my power house of inspiration my family, my Mama and
Papa, My siblings, kuya Marlon, Ate Aileen, Kuya Al, Kuya Alex, Ruth, Pudak, Aprol,
Eve, Tintin and Tonton and to my own little family, my husband Melvin and daughter,
Miana Vielle. I am forever blessed.

To my Christ the King College family, to our Dean, Dr. Nigel L. Cornejo,
teaching staffs and the panelists Dr. Juliene Tiza A. Madronio, Dr. Vilma C. Alburan, Dr.
Gerald T. Malabarbas whose expertise honed me to what I am today and to my high
caliber thesis Adviser, Dr. Erwin Purcia who vigorously and untiringly guide us his thesis
advisees in our graduate studies journey. To our very kind and approachable ma’am Ma,
Cecilia A. Casaljay and ma’am Remma D. Centeno-Gripo for the updates and responding
to my inquiries. To Mr. Angelo Velarde for sharing his expertise in crafting my title. I am
forever grateful to my CKC family.

This crafted work is especially dedicated to you all.

Anabelle
 Christ the King College
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Calbayog City, Samar

APPENDIX
Table 1. Self-made checklist of signs using Charles Sanders Piece’s theory of signs
(semiotics) in Bong Joo-Ho’s Parasite.

Signs Icon Index Symbol

Basement 

Blood stain on Geun-se’s face (maid’s 

husband)

Blood stain on tissue, Da song (Park’s 

son)

Blood on the floor around Ki-woo’s head 

Blood cover up Mr. kim’s hand 

Buddhist ornament hang on the wall 

Clothes 

Coffee held by Mr. Park 

Food (noodles,meat) 

Flood 

Internet connection 

Man and woman in basement wall 

Mess on the table 

Moon-gwang’s (maid) on the screen  

Morse code 

Mr. Park covers his nose 

Park’s family photo on the wall 

 Christ the King College
GRADUATE SCHOOL
Calbayog City, Samar

Pizza Box 

Rain 

Sculpture of Indian people 

Silver Medal (hang on the wall) 

Smell on clothes 

Smoke of fumigation 

Socks 

Staircase 

Stone 

Three dogs photo 

Underwear found in car 

Yonsei University on fake certificate 

Window 