Neflix’s South Korean series “Parasyte: The Grey” topped the global charts for non-English TV shows in its first week of release.
According to the Netflix Top 10 official website on April 10, “Parasyte: The Grey” amassed 6.3 million views (the total hours viewed divided by the total runtime) from April 1 to 7, securing a spot in the Top 10 list in 68 countries. It clinched first place in the non-English TV show category.
The series ranked first in the Top 10 in South Korea, Malaysia, and the Philippines, and has been featured in the Top 10 list in a total of 68 countries, including Argentina, France, Germany, India, Japan, and New Zealand, showcasing its global popularity.
It narrowly missed the top spot in the global integrated (English and non-English) rankings, with “The Three-Body Problem,” popular in the United States, securing first place in the English TV show category and “Parasyte” coming in a close second. The growing interest and positive feedback from international viewers for “Parasyte” have heightened expectations for its future success.
Released on April 5, “Parasyte: The Grey” begins with the operation of a special team called The Grey, tasked with stopping parasitic organisms intent on expanding their influence by parasitizing humans. The narrative follows a human, Su-in, who enters into a symbiotic relationship with a parasite.
Actress Jeon So-nee portrays Su-in, who forms an unusual symbiosis with the parasite Heidi. Actor Koo Kyo-hwan plays Kang-woo, who, upon searching for his missing sister, discovers the existence of parasites and starts accompanying Su-in. Actress Lee Jung-hyun takes on the role of Jun-kyung, the leader of The Grey, who is determined to eradicate parasites after losing her husband to one. Actor Kwon Hae-hyo plays Chul-min, a veteran detective at Nam-il Police Station, who is resolved to protect Su-in at all costs, while Kim In-kwon portrays Won-seok, a detective keen on playing a part in the eradication of the parasites.
The series is based on the Japanese manga “Parasyte” by Hitoshi Iwaaki, which has sold over 25 million copies in over 30 regions and countries with its imaginative concept of parasitic organisms taking control of human brains and philosophical messages. The adaptation has received praise for incorporating Korean sentiment and cultural characteristics into its material and settings, creating a completely new work.
Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, known for his remarkable visual realization and widespread popularity in live-action adaptations of comic books, such as the animations “The King of Pigs,” “The Fake,” and the films “Train to Busan,” “Peninsula,” along with Netflix’s “Hellbound” and “Jung_E,” the series begins with his innovative notion, “What if parasites also landed in South Korea when they fell in Japan?” It presents a science fiction genre piece that delves into an expanded universe.
This article was originally published on April 10, 2024.
