On its list, Netflix added “Parasyte: The Grey”, a new sci-fi series from South Korea. The series is based on Hitoshi Iwaaki’s cult favourite manga with slight changes, and it is also set in South Korea rather than Japan. The story is set in the same universe as the original manga and aims to expand upon it.
Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, who is well known for his work on projects such as Train to Busan, Hellbound and Jung_E. The series consists of a total of six episodes, each episode approx. of 1 hour. It features Jeon So Nee, Koo Kyo Hwan and Lee Jung Hyun as the leads in the series.
An Alien Invasion:
In the series, we are introduced to a scene where a spore falls from the sky, which is believed to be the larval stage of a foreign creature, aka parasyte. The larva emerges from the spore and appears to attack the nearest human. The first episode begins with a party where a larva parasyte infects a man who then goes on a rampage, killing humans at the scene while under the control of the parasyte.
Jeon-So-nee portrays Jeong Su-in, the story’s protagonist, a 29-year-old billing clerk at a supermarket. One day, during her working hours, she got into an argument with a customer. On the same day at night, while returning back home, the same customer attempts to murder Su-in. She was stabbed multiple times in the lower abdomen and was on the verge of death. However, a spore fell beside her, and a larva entered her body. Mysteriously, the customer who had attempted to murder her was later found dead himself.
“The parasyte’s main goal is to take over humanity and ensure its survival on Earth. They attack humans and feed on their brains, taking complete control over their host’s body. When Jeong was attacked by one of the parasites while on the edge of her life, the parasite put all its energy into healing its wounds to ensure its own survival. This prevented it from syncing completely with her brain and forming the mutated parasyte.”
Cast Performance
Jeon So Nee, who portrays the lead character Jeong Su In, delivers an excellent performance. She skillfully portrays the transition between human Su-in and the half-parasyte, with great nuance. Jeon So Nee’s character is constantly battling for survival against both The Grey—execution parasitic program and the kin, also known as the parasitic community.
Koo Kyo Hwan plays the character of Seol Kang Woo, a dubious person who is on a quest to find his missing sister. He portrays a slight criminal demeanor with a blunt way of speaking that leaves you yearning for more. This time around, he fits the role of a perfect bad boy, which makes everyone enamored with him.
Lee Jung Hyun, who plays Choi Jung Kyung, the headstrong leader of The Grey, a task force that eliminates parasytes, surprises everyone with her outstanding performance in the series. Although everyone gave their best shot, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Jung Hyun steals the show. It’s hard to take your eyes off her performance as Choi Jung Kyung. In the series, she uses her living dead husband, who was controlled by a parasyte, to detect other parasytes around as they seem to acknowledge their presence and names it “Hunting Dog”.
Is it worth steaming or Not?
“Parasyte: The Grey” keeps you on the edge of your seat as you maneuver through parasite monsters with deadly tentacles hunting humans. The creepy grotesques, with their heads opening into repellent monsters, might creep you out, but they undoubtedly deliver the much-needed horror. Another hit is the fast pace of the series. The six-episode series manages to impress viewers to its fullest extent.
The series is an absolute must-watch, thanks to its fantastic performance and the incredible team behind it. There is no room for negative reviews, as the show’s unparalleled special effects and overall experience will keep you hooked until the very end. From the storyline and characters to the background score and monster detailing, everything does justice to the cult favourite manga and won over my heart.
Must Watch! You can’t afford to miss this.
Watch the Official Trailer Parasyte: The Grey:
