The Netflix series "Parasyte - The Grey," based on Hitoshi Iwaaki’s manga "Parasyte" published by Kodansha, began streaming on Netflix on April 5 and has since topped the weekly global TOP 10 non-English series on Netflix. The series, a Korean drama adaptation, features a surprise appearance by Masaki Suda playing Shinichi Izumi, the protagonist of the original manga, which has sparked significant buzz.

In this adaptation, parasites—predatory beings that mimic and live as humans—have invaded Korea, leading to the creation of the series. It focuses on the lonely and socially displaced protagonist, Jung Su-in (played by Jung Soni), and his peculiar coexistence with a parasite named "Heidi."

Jung Su-in, portrayed by Jung Soni, has a painful past of being abused by his father. Overwhelmed by feelings of being unloved, he lives day to day just to survive. After a certain incident, he becomes a hybrid of neither human nor parasite and falls into despair. As Su-in begins a symbiotic life with the parasite "Heidi," he inadvertently gets caught up in a conflict between parasites planning to take over humanity and humans striving to eliminate them.

Masaki Suda plays Shinichi Izumi, the main character of the original "Parasyte" manga, which was previously adapted into a live-action film directed by Takashi Yamazaki in 2014 and its sequel in 2015, portrayed by Shota Sometani. Nobunaga Shimazaki voices the character in the anime "Parasyte: The Maxim," also available on Netflix.

In the original story, parasites arrive in Japan and attack Shinichi, who narrowly escapes having his brain taken over, instead ending up with a parasite named "Migi" in his right hand, beginning their symbiotic relationship. The scene where Shinichi offers his "right hand" symbolically merges the universes of the original "Parasyte" manga and this series. Director Yeon Sang-ho mentioned, "The appearance of 'Shinichi Izumi' and 'Migi' at the ending was a crucial role," highlighting the integration of both worlds.

Regarding his participation in a work based on the esteemed "Parasyte," Suda expressed, "I was thrilled and surprised to join a project by Yeon Sang-ho, whose work 'Hell Is Calling' I had watched. Playing Shinichi Izumi, a character I admired since elementary school, was exciting."

This marks Suda's first appearance in a Korean drama, and he shared his impressions of the filming process: "The filming locations were not much different from Japan, but I was impressed by the systematic approach of Director Yeon, a former animation creator. The extensive use of CGI was noteworthy, where they showed animated previews before filming and swiftly checked composite shots post-shooting. It made me realize, this is how dynamic Korean drama production is."

Suda concluded, "I am incredibly pleased to be part of a global distribution as a Japanese cast member in a work based on the prestigious 'Parasyte.' As the series also reflects modern society, I am looking forward to it myself. I think it will be more than just a fantasy, and I am excited to see the reactions from audiences around the world."