The Ozu-esque social commentary was more like an aside, but it was a really strong aside - surprisingly so. Moral lines are drawn rather tentatively if at all, and the central villain is less rotten than many of the supposed victims. It's a pretty cheap device in many ways, but the execution was solid. I liked the pacing, loved the use of silence, and thought it was a totally worthwhile film. Distinctly stylistically Korean too in my opinion.