Surabaya, IDN Times – Netflix is bringing to screen the latest drama adapted from the manga titled “Kiseijuu” by Hitoshi Iwaaki. The Korean drama “Parasyte: The Grey,” directed by Yeon Sang Ho, is set for its premiere on April 5, 2024.
During a virtual press conference held on Tuesday (26/3/2024), Director Yeon Sang Ho outlined five distinctions between the drama and the manga “Parasyte: The Grey.” Let’s delve into these differences below!
1. Setting Shift: From Japan to South Korea
Still cut of Korean drama Parasyte: The Gray (doc. Netflix/Parasyte: The Grey)The primary contrast between the drama “Parasyte: The Grey” (2024) and the manga lies in the backdrop. While the manga is set in Japan, the Korean drama version, streamed on Netflix, unfolds in South Korea.
Director Yeon Sang Ho shared his curiosity, pondering the scenario of parasites existing in South Korea. Actress Jeon So Nee, portraying Jeong Su In, echoed this curiosity, anticipating the consequences of parasitic spores landing in Korea rather than Japan.
2. Divergent Character Dynamics
Still cut of Korean drama Parasyte: The Gray (doc. Netflix/Parasyte: The Grey)In the manga version, the central figures are Shinichi Izumi and his parasite companion, Migi. However, Migi only seizes control of Shinichi’s right hand, not his brain.
Conversely, in the Korean drama “Parasyte: The Grey” (2024), Jeong Su In (Jeon So Nee) and Heidi take the spotlight. Here, Heidi only influences a portion of Jeong Su In’s brain due to severe injury.
Director Yeon highlighted this divergence, emphasizing that the drama focuses on events in South Korea while concurrently acknowledging similar occurrences in Japan.
3. Introduction of Fresh Characters
Still cut of Korean drama Parasyte: The Gray (doc. Netflix/Parasyte: The Grey)Given the altered setting, the drama introduces new characters absent in the original manga. One such character is Lee Jung Hyun, portrayed by Choi Joon Kyung.
Lee Jung Hyun, a former police academy professor turned profiler, joins the Gray Team tasked with eliminating parasites. Choi Joon Kyung expressed excitement for this role, describing his character’s passionate and intense nature.
4. Contrasting Parasitic Entities: Heidi vs. Migi
Still cut of Korean drama Parasyte: The Gray (doc. Netflix/Parasyte: The Grey)Director Yeon elaborated on disparities between Heidi and Migi’s parasitic traits. Heidi, constrained by a daily 15-minute consciousness window, communicates with Jeong Su In solely through letters.
In contrast, Migi from the manga maintains constant communication with Shinichi and collaborates during confrontations with other parasites, albeit with a four-hour daily sleep requirement.
5. Unveiling Easter Eggs from the Original Manga
Still cut of Korean drama Parasyte: The Gray (doc. Netflix/Parasyte: The Grey)During the press conference, Jeon So Nee hinted at Easter eggs from the original manga embedded within the drama. However, she tantalizingly left it to the audience to uncover these gems themselves.
Jeon So Nee emphasized that while the overall narrative stands strong, fans of the original franchise will delight in discovering familiar nods within the drama.
To unearth further discrepancies and Easter eggs, audiences must tune in to “Parasyte: The Grey” (2024) premiering on Friday (5/4/2024). The anticipation is palpable!
