For several decades, the South Korean entertainment industry has consistently produced exceptional quantities and qualities of content, particularly in genres like romance, drama, thriller, and horror. K-dramas have dominated streaming platforms, particularly when it comes to delivering chills, with megahits such as “All of Us Are Dead,” “Sweet Home,” and “Revenant” unleashing fresh terrors on viewers through their spine-tingling narratives and startling jump scares.
It’s no surprise that K-dramas have been hitting the mark across the board in terms of audience preferences. They’ve got a knack for presenting fresh perspectives on popular themes like the zombie apocalypse or supernatural horror, leaving viewers questioning their beliefs. Here are some outstanding K-horror series that you shouldn’t miss out on.
As of June 5, 2025, an update by Michael Colwander: The appeal of K-dramas and K-horrors has grown substantially in recent times, largely due to their broader availability on international streaming platforms. Navigating through the abundance can be challenging, but there are many excellent K-horror series to explore. We’ve expanded our collection accordingly.
A Social Media App Becomes A Serial Killer’s Checklist
A film titled “Somebody” features Kang Hae-lim as Kim Sum, a character who struggles with social interactions due to Asperger’s syndrome. To bridge this gap, she creates a social connection app called “Somebody.” Unfortunately, when a murder occurs, the app becomes central to an unsettling series of crimes, leaving Sum in a precarious position.
Simultaneously, Sum embarks on a romantic journey with architectural designer Sung Yun-oh, portrayed by Kim Young-kwang, who conceals a troubling past. The movie, entitled “Somebody,” is an engrossing psychological thriller that subtly incorporates sensual scenes. It serves as a spine-tingling warning of the potential misuse of advanced technology.
One Of The Best K-Dramas Is An Absolute Thriller
According to the Daum webcomic “Out of the World” by Jo Geum-san, the drama “Save Me” follows Seo Yea-ji as Im Sang-mi, who along with her family, moved to the quiet suburbs of Daegu after their financial ruin. Instead of a fresh start, they find themselves entangled in the mysterious Goseonwon religious cult. Though appearing tranquil and ordinary, this church conceals a multitude of sinister and violent secrets.
The series titled “Save Me” may have just 16 episodes, but it keeps audiences captivated and invigorated from start to finish. Each episode seems to end on a nail-biting cliffhanger, urging viewers to watch the next one immediately. In essence, “Save Me” stands out as one of the finest K-dramas ever produced, making it an effortless choice for anyone seeking a high-quality K-drama, K-thriller, or K-horror series to begin with.
Infected Zombie-Like People Are Still Alive And Are Fighting Their Infection
Regardless if you’re a fan of the zombie genre or not, Happiness is definitely worth checking out. With just 12 episodes, it made quite an impact during the COVID-19 pandemic by being released on streaming platforms worldwide. Happiness presents an apocalyptic tale where a drug called “Next” has caused a global pandemic, leading people to become zombie-like over time.
The infection isn’t immediate; those affected are still living and struggling to resist, exhibiting zombie-like tendencies sporadically for an hour or less at a time. The show “Happiness” offers a fascinating perspective on the zombie apocalypse genre by exploring ethical questions surrounding dealing with infected individuals who may yet be salvageable.
A Mysterious Research Sample And An Abandoned Lunar Facility Offer Plenty Of Intrigue
Space has always held an enigmatic allure, a realm shrouded in solitude and a chilling mystery. The television series, The Silent Sea, effectively captures these apprehensions, crafting a gripping tale around individuals seeking liquid water in the vast expanse of space.
In “The Silent Sea”, an exploratory team ventures to the moon to collect specimens from an old, deserted lunar research station. Dr. Song Ji-an, played by Bae Doona, is on a mission to discover why the facility was left behind, in search of answers about her missing sister, who used to work there. What makes “The Silent Sea” unique among many Korean series is its captivating space setting.
A Woman Who Sees Ghosts And A CEO Who Can Make Them Go Away
The Master’s Sun” is a romantic comedy with a hint of supernatural elements that isn’t too terrifying. In this series, Tae Gong-shil, portrayed by Gong Hyo-jin, possesses the ability to see ghosts. It isn’t until she encounters CEO Joo Joong-won (played by So Ji-sub), that she learns these specters vanish whenever he touches her. Joong-won propositions to remain near Gong-shil, but only under the condition that she aids him in recovering the wealth he lost during a kidnapping attempt.
As a movie critic, I must confess that I was thoroughly captivated by this mini-series, which spanned an impressive 17 episodes. The response from both critics and audiences was nothing short of phenomenal. Not only did the talented cast earn a plethora of accolades, but they even took home multiple prizes at the SBS Drama Awards.
The musical accompaniment to this production also garnered recognition, with the melodious “Touch Love” by the versatile Yoon Mi-rae earning top honors at the MelOn Music Awards and the Mnet Asian Music Awards. This track was acknowledged as the best original soundtrack in both ceremonies, a testament to its undeniable charm and impact.
A Korean Odyssey Is Dark, But Not As Dark As Many Other K-Horrors
A Korean series titled “A Korean Odyssey” focuses primarily on a romance between Jin Seon-mi, a young woman gifted with the ability to see spirits, and Son Oh-gong, an eternal being modeled after the Monkey King from Chinese literature. As a child, Seon-mi was ostracized by her family and peers due to her unusual talent, which often led her to act in ways that appeared strange to others.
Growing up, I liberated the Monkey King from his confinement, bound by a vow he made to shield me from spectral entities. However, he swindled the secret of his name from my memory. As an adult, I’m equipped with a mystical yellow umbrella inscribed with defensive spells by a wise Buddhist monk. In my professional endeavors, I run a real estate enterprise that acquires haunted properties, purges them of malevolent spirits, and subsequently sells them for a lucrative return. When our paths cross once more, the Monkey King and I rekindle our relationship in a labyrinthine world brimming with promises, spiritual forces, and concealed intentions.
They Are Passing On To The Next Reincarnation Cycle
Similar to “A Korean Odyssey,” “Hotel Del Luna” may not be as terrifying as other Korean horror productions. However, it does incorporate various elements of horror, such as ghosts, spirits, and hidden mysteries. Moreover, this show is among the most acclaimed Korean series ever made, with its final episode attracting viewers eager to uncover the major plot twists that had been developing throughout the storyline.
As a cinephile captivated by the mystical, I find myself drawn into the enigmatic world of “Hotel Del Luna.” This extraordinary establishment is not your typical lodging; it serves as a transitional realm for ghostly spirits, preparing them for their next cycle of reincarnation. These spectral guests harbor unresolved matters, some of whom have been here for eons, but the hotel necessitates a mortal caretaker. The narrative unfolds as a fresh manager assumes duties, and gradually, we, the audience, unravel the mysteries surrounding the manager, the hotel, and its intriguing patrons.
It Takes Viewers On a Historical And Horror Ride
Drawing inspiration from South Korea’s harrowing experiences during colonization, the Gyeongseong Creature offers a distinctive blend of history and horror, seamlessly intertwining these elements to create an engaging narrative. The show unfolds as it transports viewers through a unique historical journey, while the romance adds depth to the storyline. The characters in this series navigate their way through the terrors of Japanese occupation, as well as their unusual ambition to create a “perfect creature” through experimentation. The horror portrayed in the series is not overly intense or conventional.
Instead, it gradually amps up the fear factor by using its captivating cast and scenes to create an intense and suspenseful atmosphere, with the creature serving as the central focus. While the creature is undeniably the show’s star, the mounting tension and suspense in the mood only magnify the terror it presents. It’s fair to say that Gyeongseong Creature is one of the top-tier horror thrillers produced by the K-Industry.
It Also Throws In a Zombie Apocalypse
This Korean historical drama, titled “Kingdom,” unfolds over two seasons and skillfully integrates intense horror aspects by combining supernatural occurrences with a contagion causing flesh-eating creatures similar to those seen during a zombie outbreak. The horror is predominantly driven by the spreading zombie epidemic, yet the show is rich in intrigue and suspense, earning numerous awards.
As a movie critic, I’d say: In “Kingdom”, I find myself drawn into the tale of Crown Prince Lee Chang, who finds himself entangled in a treacherous plot to dethrone his own father, the king, all while the queen consort is on the verge of giving birth to the true heir. However, the king is secluded due to smallpox, piquing my curiosity about his true state. Lee Chang, in his quest for the truth, narrowly avoids being apprehended himself. Simultaneously, a chilling epidemic sweeps through a nearby village, causing the deceased to rise again as undead creatures, adding another layer of intrigue and tension to this gripping narrative.
A New Teacher Coincides With Nightmares Becoming Real
In a high school, when a new temporary homeroom teacher appears, students begin experiencing unsettling events. Their nightmares manifest in reality, and some fall into trance-like states. The series follows Kang Ye Rin, the Student Body President, as she observes the strange transformations and materializing dreams, and decides to uncover the cause before it’s too late.
Instead of blending horror with other genres, the series titled “Nightmare Teacher” or “Nightmare High” strictly focuses on horror themes. Continuing the trend of horror productions set within a high school environment, this show offers a fast-paced viewing experience. The entire season consists of 12 episodes, but each episode is approximately 15 minutes long, making it highly appealing for binge-watching.
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2025-06-06 19:37