Netflix K-drama Parasyte: The Grey adapts Japanese alien invasion manga

Parasyte: The Grey, a South Korean drama, will stream on Netflix in April 2024. The narrative will center on the coexistence of humans and parasites, delving into the sci-fi horror subgenre.

The K-drama is based on Hitoshi Iwaaki’s popular Japanese manga series Parasyte, which portrays the story of a parasitic attack on Earth. Descending from space, these organisms seize control of human brains and bodies. The story will revolve around whether the human will succeed to either find a cure or coexist with the alien creatures dwelling within them.

According to Netflix, the official synopsis states, “When unidentified parasites violently take over human hosts and gain power, humanity must rise to combat the growing threat.”

Director Yeon Sang-Ho, renowned for his works such as “Train to Busan” and “Hellbound,” shared insights into his latest show, “Parasyte: The Grey,” during a recent press conference. Expressing his profound admiration for Hitoshi Iwaaki’s acclaimed manga series “Parasyte,” Yeon discussed his inspiration to delve deeper into the universe of the original Japanese comic while preserving its core theme of coexistence between humans and parasitic beings.

“When I was a student, ‘Parasyte’ was like a bible to me. I often envisioned what could unfold in the expanded universe of the original Japanese setting,” Director Yeon said during a press event.

He revealed that his journey with “Parasyte: The Grey” began when he reached out a letter to the original comic writer, expressing his desire to create a Korean adaptation.

Fortunately, his proposal resonated with the creator, granting him the freedom to expand upon the story while staying true to its essence. “He found the idea very interesting and gave me the freedom to expand upon the original story as I saw fit,” the director explained.

Director Yeon emphasized the special significance of bringing “Parasyte” to life on Netflix, describing it as the ultimate fan endeavor. “Bringing ‘Parasyte’ to life on Netflix feels like the ultimate fan endeavor. It’s truly special to expand upon the universe of my favorite comic.”

Cast

“Parasyte: The Grey” follows the gripping narrative set in Korea, where humanity grapples with the infiltration of parasitic entities that silently seize control of human bodies.

The series introduces Su-in (portrayed by Jeon So-nee), whose life takes a drastic turn when she becomes a hybrid being after a near-fatal encounter with a parasite named Heidi. Despite the initial discord, a peculiar coexistence forms between Su-in and Heidi.

“I am the parasite inside of you. Had we not combined as one, we both would have died,” Heidi tells Su-in after the accident.

Director Yeon Sang-Ho and lead actor Jeon So-nee shed light on the intricate dynamics between Su-in and Heidi. Jeon expressed fascination with her character’s journey, “Su-in had led a very lonely life before her encounter with Heidi,” actor Jeon said. “But as she comes to accept the alien presence within her, an intriguing connection begins to form between them, ironically giving Su-in a newfound will to live. I find that dynamic really fascinating.”

Challenges

The Director acknowledged that “Parasyte: The Grey” shared his challenges compared to his previous works. He emphasized the dynamic nature of the parasites, which required intricate computer graphics and visual effects.

“I previously worked on series that had creatures appear on-screen, but the creatures in my previous works had consistent forms. In this series, the creatures constantly change their forms, which made the computer graphics work more challenging.”

Furthermore, the series delves into themes of coexistence, posing thought-provoking questions about relationships within society. Director Sang-Ho stated, “I pondered whether there could be the possibility of coexistence between humans and creatures that are nonhuman, for humans.” He added, “I aimed to pose a question regarding the nature of the relationships between organizations and individuals living in Korean society.”

Parasyte: The Grey’s lead cast includes Jeon So-Nee as Jeong Soo-In, Koo Kyo-Hwan as Seol Kang-Woo, and Lee Jung-Hyun as Choi Joon-Kyung. Set to premiere on Friday, April 5, 2024, exclusively on Netflix. With six episodes slated for release, viewers can anticipate a gripping thriller that transcends boundaries.