Mickey 17 embarks on a journey rooted in a familiar South Korean narrative framework, yet it adeptly transforms this trope into a refreshing storyline. Throughout its unfolding, the film presents a plethora of unexpected twists that keep viewers engaged. While delving into themes of identity, socioeconomic disparities, and the impact of capitalism, Mickey 17 ultimately embraces a well-known narrative device that raises questions about its cultural significance.
This particular trope has found extensive representation across various South Korean films, series, and even manhwas, prompting curiosity about its persistent prevalence in the media landscape. Notably, it draws parallels with previous works by renowned director Bong Joon Ho, shedding light on the cultural implications embodied in such motifs. Although Mickey 17 cannot solely be categorized under one specific trope, it is essential to explore why it resonates so closely with storytelling techniques utilized in other popular Korean media.
Mickey 17 Repeats One Of The Most Common South Korean Media Tropes
It Features The Ever-Present Evil Debt Collector
In the film’s opening sequence, Robert Pattinson’s character takes on the role of an “Expendable”and escapes Earth for the ice planet Niflheim, motivated by the desire to flee a relentless loan shark. His lack of awareness regarding the implications of becoming an “Expendable”plunges him into perilous situations as he attempts to evade this predatory figure. Mickey 17 stands as yet another example of a South Korean narrative where a character’s financial desperation propels them into chaotic circumstances.
One of the most notable examples is the global sensation Squid Game, which portrays characters burdened by enormous debts, compelled to participate in deadly games to settle their accounts with dangerous lenders.
Additionally, a variety of other series and films such as Bloodhounds, What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, Pietà, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, and Pawn showcase similar narratives involving characters entangled with merciless loan sharks. Even Bong Joon Ho’s acclaimed Parasite features a storyline where a character named Geun-sae finds himself evading loan sharks.
Why Is The Evil Debt Collector Trope So Common In South Korean Media?
The Trope Reflects Real-World Challenges
Debt has emerged as a pressing issue in South Korea. Recent studies indicate that the nation’s debt-to-GDP ratio has reached alarming levels, with South Korea standing amongst the fastest-growing countries for household and governmental debt (source: Asia News). The prevalence of narratives depicting the plight of individuals grappling with debt serves to illuminate the stark economic realities faced by many in modern society, thereby explaining the widespread adoption of the evil debt collector motif in Korean media.
Despite the fantastical elements present in Bong Joon Ho’s films, they often embody themes critiquing capitalism and social inequality. Movies such as Snowpiercer and Parasite reflect the divide between social classes and the exploitation inherent in prevailing economic systems, making it unsurprising that the evil loan shark trope is integral to Mickey 17’s narrative. In this case, it strategically provides Mickey’s character a compelling reason to compromise his bodily autonomy.
Mickey 17 Effectively Utilizes The Debt Collector Trope
Employing The Trope to Craft Distinct Narrative Arcs
While Mickey 17 may initially evoke a sense of familiarity through its portrayal of an evil debt collector, it swiftly evolves into a narrative laden with unexpected twists and unique threads as the story progresses. For example, although it is anticipated that Mickey faces dire consequences due to his financial plight, he embarks on an unforeseen adventure that leads him to a distant planet, where he becomes the subject of peculiar cloning experiments.
As the film unfolds, it distances itself from the familiar struggle against debt, ultimately exploring profound existential questions about humanity and the exploitation of those deemed “expendable.” Therefore, while Mickey 17 begins with a recognizable trope, it successfully navigates toward distinct narrative developments, thereby justifying its initial reliance on well-trodden storytelling conventions.