Jeon So-nee plays Jeong Su-in, a human who coexists in the same body with a parasitic alien, in the upcoming Korean series 'Parasyte: The Grey.' Photo courtesy of NetflixMANILA — The people involved in the South Korean adaptation of “Parasyte,” Hitoshi Iwaaki’s hit science fiction horror manga, were enthralled over being part of the artistic undertaking. After all, the original Japanese work proved to be a commercially successful manga series, selling over 25 million copies in more than 30 regions and countries.

Perhaps the project, titled “Parasyte: The Grey,” could not be more special to anyone than to director Yeon Sang-ho, who admits to being a big fan of the manga, which he read back when he was still studying animation.

“While I was a student of animation, I think it is well known among us animation students that ‘Parasyte’ is like a bible,” Yeon said through an interpreter at a recent online press conference.

“So this is my favorite work that I’ve been fanboying all my life and this is like the culmination of my fanboying. It’s like a dream come true for me,” he said.

The original manga, which also had a live-action film adaptation, centers on Shinichi Izumi, who retains his human consciousness after a parasitic alien, Migi, enters his body. Failing to assume control of Shinichi's brain, Migi ends up taking over his right hand and the two end up working together as they navigate a world where Migi’s kind attempts to take over human bodies.

“Parasyte: The Grey” — which premieres April 5 on Netflix — brings the story to South Korea, following Jeong Su-in (played by Jeon So-nee), who finds herself in a bizarre coexistence with the parasite Heidi after it fails to take over her brain.

“So when I was a young student back in the day, I think it really tapped my curiosity and imagination, what it would be like for Korea to be in this world of ‘Parasyte’ so [this idea for ‘Parasyte: The Grey’] all began back then,” said Sang-ho, known for directing the zombie horror “Train to Busan” and its related films.

Apart from the difference in location, “Parasyte: The Grey” also takes place in a world where humans quickly learn about the existence of the parasitic aliens, forming a task force to battle the creatures, said writer Ryu Yong-jae.

“Now we have social media. I thought that if there was one scene where there’s a parasite [who reveals themselves] then I think the people would just know right away about parasites and then there would be a task force to eliminate them,” Ryu said.

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“The parasite would also very quickly learn about people, that they create organizations to combat them, so it was a different approach from the original Japanese work,” he added.

From left to right: Lee Jung-hyun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Jeon So-nee and director Yeon Sang-ho at the press conference for 'Parayste: The Grey.' Photo courtesy of NetflixSo-nee, who plays Su-in, also admitted to being a fan of the manga, which figured into her decision to take part in the adaptation.

“I was very curious how things will fold out if the spores land in Korea instead of Japan,” said So-nee, who starred opposite Park Hyung-sik in the 2023 period drama “Our Blooming Youth.”

“It's going to be challenging but I really wanted to try it, it got me excited. It was a no-brainer. I really wanted to be in it,” she said.

Unlike Migi and Shinichi who are able to talk to each other, “Su-in and Heidi cannot communicate directly,” said director Yeon.

“If one sleeps, the other one awakens and the other way around. So Heidi has only 15 minutes for a day to herself, which is different from the relationship between Migi and Shinichi in the original manga,” he explained.

Director Yeon Sang-ho (center) with Jeon So-nee (on his left) during the filming of 'Parasyte: The Grey.' Photo courtesy of NetflixCoexistence

Similar to the Japanese manga, “Parasyte: The Grey” also delves into ideas relating to coexistence. “Our show is also about coexistence because Su-in and Heidi, the parasite, have perfectly different characteristics and it’s the process of them coexisting,” Yeon said.

“There’s also an organization made by the parasites so there are different types of organizations and they're trying to co-exist… I wanted to ask what coexistence means to us,” he said.

Coexistence also prompts Su-in’s growth, which So-nee cited as one of her character’s appeal.

“At first, she didn’t really care much about living or surviving, but after she coexisted with Heidi... She thinks about coexistence, how it’s good to have people around her and how good it is to live. So I think the transition was very entertaining and meaningful,” she said.

Also present at the press conference were cast members Koo Kyu-hwan (from the military series “D.P.”), Lee Jung-hyun (“Peninsula” and “Decision to Leave”), Kwon Hae-hyo (“Forecasting Love and Weather” and “Wedding Impossible”) and Kim In-kwon (“The Liar and His Lover” and “The King's Affection”).

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