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A scene from Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite”

The US network HBO reached an agreement to adapt director Bong Joon-ho’s film “Parasite” into a TV series.

CJ ENM, which invested and distributed “Parasite,” announced on Jan. 10 that “while the final signatures have not been applied, we have reached a de facto agreement for the adaptation of ‘Parasite’ into an HBO series.” HBO is a US premium cable channel noted for original series including “Game of Thrones” and “Chernobyl.”

Adam McKay, director of the films “The Big Short” and “Vice,” is to take part in the production as executive producer along with Bong and CJ ENM. No decision has yet been reached on how many episodes will be filmed or who will direct them.

A number of proposals to remake “Parasite” have already been coming in from overseas. In October of last year, Bong remarked, “I’ve been getting inquiries from the US about developing ‘Parasite’ into a miniseries.”

“I think it might be enjoyable to develop it into a series, which would allow me to tell the stories I wasn’t able to share for the different characters,” he said at the time.

Netflix also reportedly showed an interest in developing “Parasite” into a series before the opportunity finally went to HBO. McKay shared high praise for “Parasite” on social media after viewing it ahead of its US release, tweeting that it was “immediately one of the greatest cinematic statements on the cult of capitalism ever made.”

A CJ ENM official explained that HBO “joined in while Bong Joon-ho and Adam McKay were in discussions on a series adaptation.” Reports were published the same day by overseas media including the Hollywood Reporter and Variety.

By Kim Ji-hoon, staff reporter

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