2024-04-10 23:16:26
Netflix ranks first in the world after the release of ‘Parasite’
Intense special effect with tentacles extending from the face
K Creature Water, Coexistence – Melting Humanity
“A response that is both Korean and in the spirit of the times”
Netflix’s new film ‘Parasite: The Gray’ has received a warm response from the beginning, ranking first in TV viewing around the world after its release on the 5th. ‘Parasite: The Gray’ is a story about a parasite that uses humans as hosts to expand its power. It is based on the Japanese comic ‘Parasite’ by Hitoshi Iwaaki, which was serialized from 1988 to 1995. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, who directed films such as ‘Train to Busan’ (2016).
The highlight of the drama is the creatures that extend their tentacles from the torn human faces. The sight of the face splitting like a starfish and instantly transforming into long, wet tentacles is so bizarre and intense that once you see it, you cannot forget it. Prior to ‘Parasite: The Gray’, ‘K-Creatures’, including the ‘Gyeongseong Creature’ and ‘Sweet Home’ series that were released at the end of last year, have recently been receiving a global response.
● Creature dramas gaining wings through global OTT
In the meantime, creature movies were often made in Korea, but dramas were nowhere to be found. This is because the production hurdles were high. Because it is a genre with a distinct fan base, it is not easy to broadcast, and production costs skyrocket as difficult visual special effects (VFX) work is required. Naturally, it was an environment where investment funds were not collected well, so even if there was a good script, it could not lead to production.
However, change began when global online video services (OTT) such as Netflix began business in Korea. Based on his financial resources, he started investing in creature features, and the first work to see the light of day was the drama ‘Sweet Home’. When Season 1 was released in December 2020, it ranked 3rd in global viewing for the first time among Korean Netflix original content.
The success of ‘Sweet Home’ sparked the production of creature features. With the know-how and technology accumulated so far, K-creature dramas such as ‘Gyeongseong Creature’ and ‘Parasite: The Gray’ were produced one after another. Naturally, the level of Korean VFX technology has also grown to the next level. Jin Jong-hyeon, director of Dexter Studio, who worked on VFX for the Netflix drama ‘Gyeongseong Creature’, said, “In the past, Korean VFX had a stance of chasing Hollywood, but now the stance has changed to making (Hollywood) look at our designs,” adding, “Hollywood blockbuster studios. We are working side by side with . “Our technology is already at the same level as theirs,” he said.
● A ‘Korean monster’ filled with coexistence, understanding, and humanity
The unique characteristic of ‘K Creature’ is that it incorporates Korea’s unique sensibilities into the work. While most Hollywood creatures harm humans based on overwhelming power or the stronger creature survives, Korean creatures are based on coexistence, understanding, and humanity. In ‘Parasite: The Gray’, the main character Su-in (Jeon So-ni), a victim of domestic violence, shares her body with a parasite and understands each other. In the drama, the gesture of the beastman turning into a parasite was inspired by the ‘Twirling the Top’ of Korean Nongak.
‘Sweet Home’ is based on the concept of turning into a monster that reflects one’s desires, and contains psychological problems that are Korean yet relatable to viewers around the world, such as addiction to plastic surgery and suicidal impulses. Cha Hyun-soo (Song Kang), the main character of ‘Sweet Home’, also struggles to not lose his humanity even when he turns into a monster. In ‘Gyeongseong Creature’, which is set against the background of Korea’s special history of human experimentation during the Japanese colonial period, the monster still has maternal love. Popular culture critic Kim Seong-su said, “Korean content is very Korean, yet has a universal zeitgeist. The way it solves problems while having the same concerns as the West is both Korean and Oriental. “By emphasizing community and being based on understanding and empathy, we are attracting a positive response from viewers around the world,” he analyzed.
Reporter Choi Ji-seon [email protected]
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2024-04-10 23:16:26