Netflix unveiled the trailer for upcoming Korean sci-fi series Parasyte: The Grey today.
Helmed by Train to Busan director Yeon Sang-ho, Parasyte: The Grey follows Su-in (played by Jeon So-nee), a young woman caught in a war between humans and parasitic creatures.
The trailer opens with Su-in waking up in a hospital after a suspected car accident. However, officials suspect that there is a more sinister cause. “I am the parasite inside of you. Had we not combined as one, we both would have died,” echoes a voice.
A team called ‘The Grey’, and led by Jun-kyung (Lee Jung-hyun), sets out to eradicate the parasitic organisms. Koo Kyo-hwan also stars in the show as Seol Kang-woo, who is hunting down the parasites to find his missing sister.
The series is based on the best-selling manga ‘Parasyte” by Hitoshi Iwaaki, which sold over 25 million copies in over 30 regions and countries. In Netflix’s live action adaptation, the story is set in Korea.
Citing the manga as one of the biggest influences in his filmmaking career, director Yeon said: “To me, Parasyte is about coexistence, so I wanted Parasyte: The Grey to echo this theme. I questioned whether people could peacefully coexist with other organisms or mutants unlike themselves.”
Manga creator Iwaaki added: “I felt that the creators of Parasyte: The Grey greatly respected the original work. At the same time, I could see unique creative branches and ideas throughout the series and enjoyed it as both the original author and as a true ‘audience member’.”
Netflix has adapted several mangas into live action series, including One Piece, which premiered in August 2023. The series topped the streamer’s Global charts for English-language shows for three straight weeks, accumulating 75.5 million hours viewed during that time, with Netflix confirming that the show will be renewed for a second season.