Ranked: the 10 best Korean film adaptations of Japanese manga, movies and fiction, from Broken to Oldboy
- Japanese media, from film to manga and fiction, has long been a source of inspiration for Korean filmmakers, going right back to Oldboy in 2003
- With Parasyte: The Grey coming out on Netflix, we look at 10 of the best Korean re-imaginings of Japanese originals
The fascinating pop-culture exchange between South Korea and Japan is set to return to the spotlight in April as Netflix releases Korean director Yeon Sang-ho’s drama series Parasyte: The Grey, a reimagining of the classic Japanese alien invasion manga.
From manga to books and other films, be they thrillers, romance or comedy, Japanese media has long served as a major source of inspiration for the Korean film industry.
10. Perfect Number (2012)
Based on Keigo Higashino’s bestselling novel The Devotion of Suspect X, from his Detective Galileo series, Perfect Number follows a brilliant mathematics teacher who helps his next-door neighbour dispose of the body of her violent ex-husband, after being forced to kill him to protect her and her daughter.
Although the film is a handsome and very watchable adaptation, retaining its brilliant twists, it doesn’t quite capture the book’s ruthless efficiency.
9. 200 Pounds Beauty (2006)
Adapted from the manga Kanna’s Big Success!, the romantic comedy 200 Pounds Beauty was one of the surprise successes of 2006. It delighted viewers with its colourful staging and a concept that would be difficult to bring to the screen today.