Netflix's Newest Series With Only 6 Episodes Has Everyone Rate It 10/10

Summary

• A new sci-fi horror series from the creator of Train to Busan has been released on Netflix.
• It's a live-action adaptation of a popular Japanese manga.
• The series has already received impressive reviews from critics and viewers.

Even those who have no interest in Korean pop culture have probably heard of Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho, the filmmakers who first introduced South Korean cinema to the global public. Audiences have embraced their unique approach to filmmaking and acting, as well as the depth of their narratives full of generational pain and centuries of historical trauma.

And along with these two names, many will surely recognize the name of director Yeon Sang-ho. After all, he's the one who gave us Train to Busan, the incredibly clever 2016 zombie horror that spawned an entire franchise with two new installments in development.

But did you know that Yeon Sang-ho is also a master of adaptation? He's been working closely with Netflix for the past few years, producing shows like the hit series Hellbound and the relatively new The Bequeathed — yes, you probably guessed that right, as those two shows are both live-action adaptations of the webtoon series of the same name.

And just a few days ago, Yeon's new brainchild based on the once-popular Japanese manga was added to the streaming service's library. The 6-episode sci-fi horror has already won over critics and viewers alike. So without further ado, let's find out what this series is and why it's so highly praised.

What Is Yeon Sang-Ho's New K-Drama About?

On April 5, 2024, the new South Korean series titled Parasyte: The Grey, was quietly dropped on Netflix, and the lack of any decent promotion for it is a huge disservice! After all, the new series is both a live-action adaptation and an original Korean spin on the iconic manga series Parasyte, written and illustrated by Hitoshi Iwaaki.

The source material revolves around a Japanese high school student named Shinichi Izumi who forms a symbiotic relationship with an intelligent alien parasite capable of transforming its host's body into grotesque yet functional forms reminiscent of John Carpenter's body horror The Thing. Normally, these parasites would completely take over the minds of their victims, but Shinichi's body has managed to retain its consciousness for mysterious reasons, and eventually the protagonist learns that he is not the only one who has succeeded in establishing a symbiotic connection.

The action of the show takes place in South Korea. At the center of the story is a young woman, Jeong Su-in (Jeon So-nee), who, like Shinichi, was infected by the parasite, but mysteriously did not lose her mind and pursued mutually beneficial goals with her alien. Seol Kang-woo (Koo Kyo-hwan), a man searching for his sister, and Choi Jun-kyung (Lee Jung-hyun), the leader of the squad called The Grey (hence the title), also the prominent figures in this story.

A minor spoiler, yet one that will definitely make you want to check out the new series, especially if you're a longtime fan of the original manga: the show features Shinichi (portrayed by popular Japanese actor Masaki Suda), so both the source material and the Yeon Sang-ho's take share the same universe.

What Are Critics and Viewers Saying about the Show?

Critics and viewers alike have absolutely loved the new series directed by Yeon Sang-ho. On Rotten Tomatoes, for example, the critics' score is an impressive perfect 100%, while the viewers' score is 82%. Many praised the very relevant themes for today's society, as just a few years ago we experienced a terrible pandemic that the state could not fully handle — well, the same thing happens in the case of parasites. In addition, the new series, full of drama and deep character study, boasts as a great expansion of the sci-fi horror universe created by Hitoshi Iwaaki.

All 6 episodes of Parasyte: The Grey are now streaming on Netflix.