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The 25 best Korean horror movies of all time, ranked

Read on, if you dare.

Everett (2); Kuk Dong Seki Trading Co.

There's been a growing global appreciation for Korean pop culture lately, including Korean movies. In 2020, Parasite became the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, bringing a new awareness of Korean cinema to mainstream audiences around the world. But the country’s film history extends all the way back to the silent era, with multiple renaissances leading up to the Korean New Wave (also known as the New Korean Cinema) of the 1990s. 

South Korean movies are known for their boundary-pushing storytelling, genre-bending filmmaking, and beautifully convoluted twists — and that is certainly true of Korean horror. Some of the films on this list feature straightforward scares, while others, like Parasite director Bong Joon-ho ’s The Host , combine horror with sci-fi, comedy, and even melodrama. Korean horror films can also be quite violent, so take heed if you’re squeamish. For those who are up for an intense viewing experience, however, they’re some of the freshest and most memorable genre films being made anywhere in the world.

Here's Entertainment Weekly's ranking of the 25 best Korean horror movies of all time.

25. The Closet (2020)

Dark Sky Films

A slow-creeping horror-drama that prioritizes character over cheap jump scares, Kim Kwang-bin’s debut uses a classic trope — the monster in the closet — to explore sticky themes of child neglect and absent parenting. In an echo of Carol-Anne and the TV in Poltergeist (1982), young Yi-na (Heo Yool) is pulled into the spirit realm through her bedroom closet. Her widower father, Sang-won (Ha Jung-woo), is blamed for her disappearance and seeks the aid of an eccentric psychic (Kim Nam-gil) to find her. 

Where to watch The Closet : Tubi

24. Acacia (2003)

An understated creepy-kid movie with an occult twist, this horror film from director Park Ki-hyung — who also directed Whispering Corridors , which we’ll discuss later — plants folk horror in the suburbs. Six-year-old adoptee Jin-seung (Moon Woo-bin) is having trouble fitting in with his new parents (Shim Hye-jin and Kim Jin-geun) — a state of affairs that grows more distressing with the birth of a new baby. But the lonely little boy does have a strange bond with the acacia tree in his family’s backyard… 

Where to watch Acacia : Kanopy

23. The Mimic (2017)

Well Go USA Entertainment

Another Korean ghost story where those who are closest to us are also the ones we should fear, this film is based on the urban legend of the Jangsan beom . It’s a white, furry creature that supposedly lives in the mountains near Busan, looks like a cross between a sloth and a dog, and lures children out into the woods so it can eat them. It can also take on the form of departed loved ones, which is how a family recently relocated to the Jangsan countryside gets sucked into its supernatural world. 

Where to watch The Mimic : Tubi

22. The Red Shoes (2005)

Tartan Video

This hidden gem of 2000s Asian cinema is only loosely based on the 1845 fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen (for one thing, the shoes in this movie are pink). Instead, it uses Andersen’s premise as a launching pad for a horror story about sexism in Korean society. As the film begins, a mother (Kim Hye-soo) and her young daughter (Park Yeon-ah) have just moved into a new apartment after Mom caught Dad cheating. Then they find the titular shoes on a subway platform and discover that they have a seductive, evil power. Though the 1948 British drama of the same name may be the most famous iteration, this twisted modern take is palpably tense and absolutely worth your time.  

Where to watch The Red Shoes: Fandango at Home

21. #Alive (2020)

The timing of this Korean horror-thriller couldn’t have been better. Released on Netflix in September 2020, the film revolves around a reclusive gamer, Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in), who locks himself up inside his apartment after realizing that a deadly virus is raging outside. Sound familiar? Of course, there’s one key difference: In the movie, the virus turns people into flesh-eating zombies. The addition of a resourceful neighbor, Yoo-bin (Park Shin-hye), takes the action to the streets, kicking up the excitement in the process. 

Where to watch #Alive : Netflix

20. Spider Forest (2004)

Fans of Christopher Nolan ’s Memento (2000) will find a lot to love in this edgy, cleverly constructed 2004 horror-mystery hybrid, which begins with reporter Kang Min (Kam Woo-sung) discovering his girlfriend close to death from multiple stab wounds and bleeding out next to a stranger’s corpse. If that’s not bad enough, Kang Min wakes up in the hospital where a detective informs him that he’s the main suspect in both murders. Although he barely remembers what happened, Kang Min must try to piece together what happened in order to clear his name. 

Where to watch Spider Forest: Kanopy

19. Seoul Station (2016)

An animated prequel to the zombie mega-hit Train to Busan released in the same year by the same director, Seoul Station matches its predecessor’s intensity while amping up the social commentary. The story takes place at the titular train station, where an injured elderly man shuffles across the platform as commuters look on with disgust. Then the man transforms into a violent, flesh-eating zombie, and all hell — with a side of George Romero -style class warfare — breaks loose. 

Where to watch Seoul Station : Amazon Prime Video

18. Hansel and Gretel (2007)

Another Korean movie based on European folklore, Hansel and Gretel draws its inspiration from the Brothers Grimm story of the same name. The film has the same grotesque nightmare quality as a fairytale — the old-fashioned ones, anyway — but changes up the story so that it’s an adult, Lee Eun-soo (Chun Jung-myung), who stumbles upon an idyllic cottage in the middle of the woods. There, he finds three children who appear to be held captive by their parents. But nothing is as it seems in this beautiful, grisly horror-fantasy.

Where to watch Hansel and Gretel : Tubi

17. Bedevilled (2010)

You may be tempted to turn off Bedevilled by the halfway mark, given the heaps of abuse — physical, emotional, and sexual — one of its female leads endures. But if you stick it out through the end, that horror gives way to violent, bloody catharsis as Bok-nam (Seo Young-hee) turns the tables on her cruel family and piggish husband. She does so with the help of her childhood friend Hae-won (Ji Sung-won), a businesswoman from the big city who managed to escape a life like Bok-nam’s on the remote island where they grew up. 

Where to watch Bedevilled : Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

16. The Call (2020)

Combining crime and supernatural elements, this critically acclaimed film traverses many decades for an unusual time-travel twist on serial-killer thrillers. Park Shin-hye stars as Kim Seo-yeon, a woman who recently returned to her childhood home to care for her ailing mother. There, she discovers that the landline connects her to Oh Young-sook (Jeon Jong-seo), who lived in the same house 20 years earlier. The two form a bond across time — until Seo-yeon starts to realize the dark, causal implications of their seemingly friendly phone calls.

Where to watch The Call : Netflix

15. The Medium (2021)

Unusually well-shot for a found footage horror movie, this Korean-Thai co-production presents itself as a mockumentary about a Northern Thai woman who claims to be possessed by a goddess. Nim (Sawanee Utoomma) says that her ancestral gift gives her the power to heal both physical and spiritual maladies. But the way her niece, who’s due to be initiated into the family legacy, is acting makes it seem more like a curse. It’s a slow build that becomes increasingly more violent with each excruciating moment, but the finale will leave your jaw on the floor. 

Where to watch The Medium : AMC+

14. The Quiet Family (1998)

Myung Films

A black comedy so dark that it becomes a horror movie, this film was a hit in South Korea and inspired redos from both Japan ( Takashi Miike ’s The Happiness of the Katakuris ) and India, where it was remade in three different languages. The premise has the potential for slapstick sillness, as an incompetent Seoul family fumbles its way through opening a hunting lodge in the Korean countryside. Then all their guests start dying by suicide, one after the other…

Where to watch The Quiet Family : Freevee

13. Monstrum (2018)

Set in the 16th century and supposedly based on true events, this monster movie plays with the audience’s expectations by remaining coy about whether its monster is actually real or the byproduct of Joseon dynasty palace intrigue. Spoiler alert: The monster is definitely real, a lion-bear hybrid covered in disgusting bloody pustules. Throw in period romance, a pair of wisecracking soldiers, and the occasional fart joke, and you’ve got a rip-roaring creature feature whose entertainment factor is off the charts. 

Where to watch Monstrum : AMC+

12. Whispering Corridors (1998)

Lotte Entertainment

Park Ki-hyung’s eerie ghost story uses an all-girls boarding school as a launching pad for supernatural horror. Touching on sensitive subjects like bullying and suicide, Whispering Corridors struck such a chord with Korean youth that it launched a franchise that continued into the 2020s. We also highly recommend the 1999 sequel Memento Mori, both for its heart-stopping scare scenes and then-taboo lesbian theme. 

Where to watch Whispering Corridors : Kanopy

11. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)

Set inside a former psychiatric hospital known as “ one of the most haunted places in South Korea ,” this found-footage horror movie starts off light then turns terrifying as six YouTubers filming in the building for laughs realize that the legends about Gonjiam are actually true. Director Jum Bung-shik makes clever use of the spooky location and visual format, leading to several moments of heart-stopping terror. Shortly after the release of this movie, the real Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital was torn down. Coincidence? You decide. 

Where to watch Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum : Peacock

10. Sleep (2023)

The only film on this list that has yet to be released in the United States, Jason Yu’s feature debut was a hit in South Korea in the fall of 2023. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival that summer, where it got rave reviews from critics hailing this story of a woman whose insomnia tests her marriage — and her sanity. Much of the film rests on a razor’s edge between funny and frightening, which makes its twists and turns all the more surprising. Add a bravura finale, and you’ve got an instant Korean horror classic. 

Where to watch Sleep : Not available to stream

9. Three… Extremes (2004)

Only one of the segments in this horror anthology comes from a Korean director. (The other two filmmakers, Fruit Chan and Takashi Miike, are from Hong Kong and Japan, respectively.) But the Korean segment, Cut , is elegant and cruel in a way that only the great Park Chan-wook can pull off. The story revolves around a famous film director and his pianist wife, who are held hostage by a resentful background actor. But the real draw here is Cut ’s elaborate torture device, which uses piano wire in inventive and shocking ways. 

Where to watch Three… Extremes : Peacock

8. Save the Green Planet! (2003)

CJ Entertainment

Jang Joon-hwan’s Save the Green Planet was recently optioned for a remake by Poor Things director Yorgos Lanthimos and star Emma Stone . And if you’ve seen the movie, that tracks. This bizarre and, at times, quite disturbing horror/sci-fi/comedy hybrid is strange and singular in a way that’s similar to Lanthimos’ work, telling the story of a conspiracy theorist who’s convinced that the CEO tied up in his basement is an alien intent on destroying the Earth. But is he really? 

Where to watch Save The Green Planet : Kanopy

7. Thirst (2009)

Aside from Cut, Thirst is the only true horror movie in Park Chan-wook’s filmography. And it’s got all of the sumptuous style you’d expect from the director of The Handmaiden (2016) . Song Kang-ho stars as Sang-hyun, a Catholic priest who contracts a virus while on a mission trip that makes him super-strong and inhumanly agile — and gives him a burning appetite for human blood. Things get complicated (and very bloody) when Sang-hyun begins a torrid affair with housewife Tae-Ju (Kim Ok-bin), leading to the kind of hysterical climax Korean genre movies do so well. 

Where to watch Thirst : Amazon Prime Video (to rent)

6. The Wailing (2016)

Some movies just have a malevolent aura about them, and The Wailing is one of them. While watching the residents of a small Korean village succumb, one by one, to the belief that they’ve been possessed by demons, you start to wonder if curses can be transmitted through screens as well. The film is long but worth the runtime, as we get to know the community members before witnessing the horror of what happens to them. It all builds to an exorcism scene that’s impressively staged and terrifyingly intense. 

Where to watch The Wailing : Netflix

5. The Host (2006)

Another quintessentially Korean genre-bender, Bong Joon-ho’s international breakout was a festival sensation when it premiered at Cannes in 2006. First and foremost, it’s a monster movie about a mutated creature that crawls out of the Han River causing mayhem and spreading a deadly virus. But it’s also a political satire and a family drama, driven by Song Kang-ho’s performance as a poor vendor who must descend into the sewers to battle the beast and save his daughter Hyun-seo (Go Ah-sung).

Where to watch The Host : Hulu

4. I Saw the Devil (2010)

Even compared to the rest of the films on this list, Kim Jee-woon’ s crime/horror hybrid is an intense viewing experience that blurs the lines between good and evil in ultra-violent, darkly funny style. The stakes just keep getting higher in this Grand Guignol of bloodthirsty excess, as bereaved government agent Soo-hyun ( Lee Byung-hun ) descends into shocking depravity in his pursuit of serial killer Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik). The twist? Soo-hyun already caught him once; this second hunt is just for fun. 

Where to watch I Saw the Devil : Hulu

3. The Housemaid (1960)

Kuk Dong Seki Trading Co.

Although not strictly a horror movie — its tone is more comparable to an erotic thriller like Fatal Attraction — this 1960 feature is a milestone of genre cinema and Korean movies as a whole. Directed by Kim Ki-young, the film is a cautionary tale about the dangers of infidelity, following a couple that hires a maid to help around the house while the wife is pregnant, only to have the girl (Lee Eun-shim) destroy the family from the inside out. It’s since been remade multiple times, but the original’s gliding camerawork and social commentary make it a timeless classic. 

Where to watch The Housemaid : The Criterion Channel

2. Train to Busan (2016)

The biggest and most influential horror hit to come out of Korea in the past decade, this zombie thriller has inspired multiple spinoffs — including our No. 19 pick, the animated prequel Seoul Station. The secret to its success lies in its thrilling, claustrophobic action sequences: The story takes place almost entirely on a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan, where distant dad Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) is attempting to bond with his daughter Su-an (Kim Su-an). But they soon realize that all of Korea, not just their transit, has been taken over by hungry, impossibly fast zombies. 

Where to watch Train to Busan : Peacock

1. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)

When it comes to the sophisticated style and shocking twists of Korean horror, no film is as perfect an example as A Tale of Two Sisters . Directed by Kim Jee-woon — who also made our No. 4 pick, I Saw the Devil — this psychologically harrowing film is about a pair of young girls who live in a handsome country home with their father. Also present are two malevolent presences: The ghost of their mother and their evil stepmother Eun-joo (Yum Jung-ah). Kim’s direction is bold and stylish, and the supernatural scenes are terrifying, embodying the finest that Korean horror has to offer. 

Where to watch A Tale of Two Sisters : Kanopy

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10 Best Korean Horror Movies, Ranked

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South Korea has a strong presence in the international landscape of entertainment, especially in music and cinema. The horror genre has been explored in South Korea since the early days of the country's cinema and evolved significantly throughout the decades, becoming a synonym of innovation and expertise in the genre. K-cinema is particularly associated with some of the best supernatural horror and zombie horror movies, yet Korean horror cinema has something for every taste.

Known for blending cultural themes into horror, the genre has been through different phases. Early Korean horror movies were often cautionary tales that reflected tendencies and fears within Korean society, perfectly exemplified by the 1960 psychological horror movie The Housemaid . Around the late 1990s and early 2000s, the genre experienced a renewal in South Korea. This shift propelled the making of more high-octane action horror, like 2006's The Host , and other subgenres that are still very popular in Korean cinema today.

10 Sleep Is a Slow-Burn Gem

Sleep is a 2023 supernatural horror film that revolves around a couple soon to have their first child. The husband suddenly begins experiencing sleepwaking and starts medical treatment for it. His condition escalates, with his behavior during the nighttime becoming increasingly bizarre every time he goes to sleep. The wife's mother is convinced a ghost is haunting the couple and she soon convinces her daughter of that, too.

The movie captures the essence of modern urban anxiety, using claustrophobic settings and eerie sound design to create a suffocating atmosphere. It's a slow-burn suspense that doesn't rely on jumpscares at all, focusing on building the tension inside the apartment and making the viewer question the wife's descent into madness. Although it has far less action than American audiences are used to in horror, this film still delivers an anticipated showdown toward the end. It's one of the best recent Korean horror movies, but it does have a somewhat predictable plot -- which stops it from ranking higher.

9 The Housemaid Still Holds Up

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A classic of Korean cinema, The Housemaid is a black-and-white psychological horror movie released in 1960. It tells the story of a middle-class family whose lives are turned upside down by the arrival of a mysterious and cunning housemaid. The film is a social commentary and cautionary tale wrapped in a psychological thriller, reflecting the anxieties of rapid modernization and class tensions in 1960s South Korea. It notably inspired several other movies on the same theme, like 1981's Suddenly at Midnight .

The depiction of violence and gender conflicts was shocking for the time, but the discussions the movie inspires are still very relevant. Through contemporary lenses, The Housemaid becomes a horror movie about the overwhelming injustice women often endure and how it may drive some to murder. Social commentary aside, the writing and the acting of the lead stars are what makes this movie remain an entertaining watch.

8 Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum Is a Found-Footage Shocker

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is a 2018 found-footage horror movie that follows the crew of a horror web series. They visit an abandoned asylum for a live broadcast, soon finding themselves trapped there in a nightmarish game. As they delve deeper into the asylum's dark history, they realize they are dealing with real and terrifying supernatural forces.

The movie effectively uses the found-footage format to heighten the sense of realism. It's also inspired by a real-life psychiatric hospital in South Korea, adding an extra layer of authenticity and creepiness. Its clever use of technology and social media commentary resonates with younger generations.

7 Svaha: The Sixth Finger Is Inspired by Religious Concepts

The 2019 movie Svaha: The Sixth Finger intertwines religious mystery with horror , focusing on a man specialized in exposing cults who's investigating a Buddhist sect. The film's blend of folklore, religion and supernatural elements creates a chilling narrative that explores a darker side of faith and belief and it's rooted in the fear of the unknown. Exploring the themes of heresy and dogma, the intricate and history-based plot invites Western audiences to do their due research after watching the movie.

The film's atmospheric tension and impactful plot twists keep viewers on the edge of their seats, while its exploration of Korean shamanism and Buddhist mythology adds a unique cultural dimension. The title is a Korean derivation from Sanskrit and it's the name of the Hindu goddess of sacrifices. In Hinduism and Buddhism, the Sanskrit lexical item svāhā is used to end mantras and calls for good fortune. In this chilling supernatural horror movie, the concept is explored through a prophecy that inspires the sacrifice of children. Although comprehensible at the end, the movie is fantastic in keeping up its mysteries right until the climax. Notably, it starts with a scene where a girl calls her twin sister a demon and the viewers spends the entire movie trying to figure out the twin sister's true nature.

6 The Call Puts a Twist on Time Travel

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In their best versions, found footage films can creepily get under the audiences' skin.

In the 2020 movie The Call , two women of the same age living in different time periods in the same house are connected through mysterious phone calls. As they manipulate each other's pasts and futures, the consequences become increasingly horrifying. This film stands out for its innovative use of time-travel concepts within horror, creating a suspenseful and mind-bending plot.

The movie features stellar performances by Park Shin-hye and Jeon Jong-seo, whose on-screen chemistry and tension drive the narrative. Both are equally great in their own terms, but the contrast between their performances as extreme opposites -- one is naive and trusting, the other is cold-hearted and manipulative -- is shocking and makes Jeon Jong-seo's portrayal of Oh Young-sook even more scary. The film has some really clever twists and turns, coupled with a haunting score and mesmerizing cinematography. Although partially inspired by earlier Korean movies like 2002's Phone and based on a relatively simple premise, the movie is able to develop into a unique and terrifying horror.

5 The Host Is a Family’s Journey to Rescue a Member

The Host is a 2006 monster movie that combines horror, action, drama, sci-fi and some comic relief to create one of the best Korean movies of all time. It was directed by Bong Joon-ho, who later directed the praised dark comedy movies Okja and Parasite . The Host was only Joon-ho's third feature film, but became the country's highest-grossing movie upon its release and earned critical acclaim worldwide.

When a creature emerges from the Han River following chemical pollution and begins attacking people, a dysfunctional family must come together to save their youngest member after the girl is taken by the monster. The film critiques government incompetence and environmental negligence while delivering thrilling monster action and developing the characters emotionally. It's probably one of the least scary movies when it comes to Korean horror, with some of the horror set-ups falling short throughout the movie. If it were more scary, it might be the best Korean horror movie of all time.

The Host (2006)

4 the wailing is great at genre-mixing.

The Wailing is a 2016 supernatural horror that follows a small-town police officer investigating a series of mysterious illnesses and deaths in his village. As the police investigation leads him to suspect a local Japanese immigrant is the murderer, his daughter becomes the target of the evil entity lurking around the village. The family hires a shaman to conduct an exorcism to kill the spirit they believe is trying to possess the young girl, and his arrival stirs up the situation.

The film's slow-burn approach and meticulous build-up of dread make it a standout in the horror genre, with a story that is both complex and terrifying. The Wailing starts off as a big mystery and cleverly mixes elements of the crime, supernatural, folklore and even zombie subgenres to confuse the audience and make its resolution unpredictable. Surprisingly, these elements don't feel gratuitous and all tie into the explanation the movie gives for its bizarre events.

The Wailing

Not available

3 #Alive Is About Isolation and Survival

The 2020 zombie horror movie #Alive follows a young man who wakes up to realize he's trapped in his family's apartment by himself as an apocalyptic event breaks out. The film explores themes of isolation and survival, particularly resonating with audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The relatable protagonist and contemporary setting make it a fresh take on zombie horror, emphasizing the psychological toll of isolation alongside the physical dangers of the zombie outbreak.

Incredibly realistic within the zombie concept, the movie's protagonist does exactly what most people would do: he hides and uses his imagination to survive. The plot is heavily focused on his struggles in isolation at first but soon develops into an action-packed high-stakes story once he starts communicating with another survivor in the building across the parking lot. #Alive is the kind of movie that keeps building tension until the very end, combining the climax with the ending.

2 A Tale of Two Sisters Is a Horror Masterpiece

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Horror movies are hubs to kickstart beloved franchises like Halloween, and while these are great, there are others that remain iconic on their own.

The 2003 K-movie A Tale of Two Sisters is one of the scariest horror movies of its decade. This psychological horror film is inspired by a Korean folktale and revolves around two sisters who return home from a mental institution to face their cruel stepmother and the dark secrets of their past. It's renowned for its intricate plot, haunting atmosphere and stunning cinematography, which is full of symbolic use of color and movement.

The film's narrative structure and visual style have earned it numerous accolades and a cult following. Its themes of trauma, memory and family dynamics are explored with taste, making it deeply unsettling and emotionally resonant. Additionally, the acting is phenomenal and it's why the plot it able to maintain its mystery.

1 Train to Busan Is Among the Best Zombie Movies Ever

Train to Busan is perhaps the most famous Korean zombie movie to date and it definitely deserves its fame. The 2016 high-octane action-horror is primarily set on a train traveling from Seoul to Busan and follows a father who is taking his daughter to see her mother living in Busan. The man is a fund manager with a lot of influence in the Korean business world who initially only looks out for himself and his daughter, while the girl is deeply considerate of all the surrounding adults.

Exploring the themes of family dynamics, children's innocence and adults' egoism, the movie shows how different passengers fight for their lives once they realize what is happening. Train to Busan is praised for its intense action sequences, emotional depth and sharp commentary on class division. It became a global hit and inspired two spinoffs -- an animated standalone prequel titled Seoul Station and a sequel titled Peninsula , further expanding its universe and impact.

Train to Busan

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Although Halloween is a Western holiday, that doesn't mean South Korea doesn't join in the spooky festivities. South Korea boasts a collection of adept, genre-blending horror movies that take their audience through love, laughter, and, most of all, fear. This is an astonishing accomplishment, especially considering that South Korea's Motion Picture Law didn't legally allow independent filmmakers until 1984 due to censorship. However, with the rise of South Korean arthouse cinema in the 90s, an array of impressive and unique films emerged.

From the moment South Korea entered the horror genre, they've produced some of the industry's finest, ranging from standout creature features to psychologically tormenting films.

Whether you choose to watch them dubbed in English, with subtitles, or decide to learn Korean, you'll be missing out if you don't watch the best Korean horror movies.

The Host (2006)

Director: Bong Joon-ho

Cast: Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, Park Hae-il, Bae Doona, Go Ah-sung

The Host is a monster feature from 2006 that was d irected by Bong Joon-ho , who went on to direct the Oscar-winning movie Parasite . His ability to expand genres of films into multiple layers that create a deep and authentic meaning is executed spectacularly in The Host . The story follows a family's struggle to rescue their daughter from a terrifying creature that emerges from the Han River. The visual effects of crowds running scared when the monster's first attacks were filmed in a voyeuristic style are brilliant and effective. Bong Joon-ho balances out the horror with dark comedy and slight undertones of environmental politics, creating one of the greatest South Korean horror flicks ever made.

Stream on Paramount+ with Showtime

Train To Busan (2016)

Director: Yeon Sang-ho

Cast: Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-seok, Jung Yu-mi, Kim Su-an, Kim Eui-sung

Train To Busan captured the hearts of undead movie fans and the zombie averse alike. It presents incredible action scenes and touches on class division within South Korea when survivors on a train are forced to work together. The touching premise forces viewers to become very invested as a single father, played by Gong Yoo ( Squid Game ), sets off to deliver his daughter, portrayed by Kim Su-an ( The Battleship Island ), to her mother in Busan. Each character's development drives such a phenomenal story that viewers almost forget, until they are violently surprised, that killer zombies are on the loose.

Stream on Prime Video

Peninsula (2020)

Cast: Gang Dong-won, Lee Jung-hyun, Lee Re, Kwon Hae-hyo, Kim Min-jae

For better or worse, Peninsula is an action-packed sequel to Train To Busan . In this version, the story focuses on the incredible action scenes used sparingly by the former film. Set four years after the tragic train ride, a team of former soldiers battles thousands of zombies in a post-apocalyptic South Korea. It shows an entirely different perspective from the original film, appealing to fans who prefer a more Mad Max -style horror movie.

Stream on Shudder

I Saw The Devil (2010)

Director: Kim Jee-woon

Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik, Jeon Gook-hwan, Chun Ho-jin, Oh San-ha

After the horrifying dismemberment and murder of Kim Soo-hyun’s ( Lee Byung-hun ) wife, he sets off on a path for vengeance against the sadistic serial killer, Jang Kyung-chul ( Choi Min-sik ). Utilizing the National Intelligence Service suspect leads, Agent Soo-hyun tracks down the alleged perpetrators in an unrelenting quest for retribution.

Midnight (2021)

Director: Oh Seung-uk

Cast: Wi Ha-joon, Jin Ki-joo, Park Hoon, Kim Hye-yoon, Gil Hae-yeon

When a deaf woman, played by Jin Ki-joo ( Little Forest ), witnesses a stabbing, she becomes the target of a terrifying killer. The suspenseful silence in Midnight sets up the audience for intense jump scares and creates a unique perspective for a woman stuck in a seemingly impossible-to-win chase.

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)

Cast: Im Soo-jung, Moon Geun-young, Yum Jung-ah, Kim Kap-soo, Lee Seung-bi

The psychological horror A Tale of Two Sisters is about two sisters who return home to their dysfunctional family after the older sister, Bae Su-mi ( Im Soo-jung ), is released from a mental institution. As the sisters uncover a haunting past, the eerie home slowly becomes a nightmare.

Stream on Kanopy

The Wailing (2016)

Director: Na Hong-jin

Cast: Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, Chun Woo-hee, Jun Kunimura, Kim Hwan-hee

The Wailing is a horror-mystery film that follows a policeman, Jong-goo ( Kwak Do-won ), in a village who begins to investigate an illness that is taking the lives of citizens all around him. With the ever-present threat to his daughter Hyo-jin ( Kim Hwan-hee ), Jong-goo must protect her and uncover the folklore behind a supernatural killer.

Thirst (2009)

Director: Park Chan-wook

Cast: Song Kang-ho, Kim Ok-bin, Shin Ha-kyun, Kim Hae-sook, Park In-hwan

When devout priest Sang-hyun ( Song Kang-ho ) takes an experimental vaccine, he becomes a vampire. Torn by faith and morals, Sang-hyun must take on an internal battle between his fate and the unquenchable Thirst for blood .

Stream on Peacock

The Medium (2021)

Director: Banjong Pisanthanakun

Cast: Napat Chokejindachai, Sawanee Utoomma, Sirani Yankittikan, Thanatorn Oudsahakul, Jidarat Maknanta

The Medium is a supernatural-horror film that's a blend of Thai and South Korean production. Filmed in mockumentary style, the film follows a group who travels to Isan to uncover the folklore around a possessed shaman who, in turn, wreaks havoc on a rural family.

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)

Director: Jung Bum-shik

Cast: Wi Ha-joon, Park Ji-hyun, Moon Ye-won, Park Sung-hoon, Yoo Je-yoon

In this found-footage-style film, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum , a group explores an abandoned mental health facility only to discover paranormal activity. As they explore deeper into the haunted incidents rumored to occur at the location, they are pulled into the nightmares of each cursed room.

Stream on Freevee

#Alive (2020)

Director: Cho Il-hyung

Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Park Shin-hye, Jeon Bae-soo, Lee Hyun-wook, Oh Hye-won

Another South Korean zombie film, this story centers on a young man, Oh Joon-woo ( Yoo Ah-in ), who struggles for survival during a sudden zombie outbreak. As a gamer, he becomes trapped in his apartment and must find a way to stay alive and make contact with the outside world.

Stream on Netflix

The Call (2020)

Director: Lee Chung-hyun

Cast: Park Shin-hye, Jun Jong-seo, Kim Sung-ryoung, Lee El, Park Ho-san

When a woman discovers a phone that connects her to other women on different timelines, they must work together to prevent tragic events in the past from occurring. However, the seemingly heroic acts lead to the saving of a young girl who becomes a serial killer, and they must fight to correct their new reality after The Call .

Office (2015)

Director: Hong Won-chan

Cast: Ko Ah-sung, Park Sung-woong, Bae Seong-woo, Kim Eui-sung, Ryu Hyun-kyung

In the slasher film Office , a man who murders his family begins to target his co-workers. As an investigation ensues, the employees grow wary that a murderer is in the building. However, in an attempt to stifle the commotion, the company blocks the investigators, resulting in chaos throughout the building.

The Divine Fury

Director: Kim Joo-hwan

Cast: Park Seo-joon, Ahn Sung-ki, Woo Do-hwan, Choi Woo-shik, Park Ji-hyun

When martial arts champion Yong-hoo ( Park Seo-joon ) gains new superpowers, he must join forces with an exorcist priest to defeat demons. However, Yong-hoo is conflicted as his faith is shattered after the death of his family. With The Divine Fury , will he have what it takes to save South Korea?

Director: Kong Su-chang

Cast: Kam Woo-sung, Son Byong-ho, Oh Tae-kyung, Park Won-sang, Lee Sun-kyun

R-Point revolves around a team of South Korean soldiers dispatched to a desolate island outpost tasked with unraveling a series of eerie incidents. As they investigate further, they stumble upon paranormal phenomena and terrifying encounters that defy explanation.

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The Best Korean Horror Movies: Train to Busan , The Wailing , and The Host Among Top of the List

(Photo by Well GO USA/courtesy Everett Collection)

If you gathered every Korean horror movie with a Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and ranked them by their Tomatometer scores, you’d probably expect Train to Busan to be at the top of the list. And you’d be half-right! Crossover hit Busan set the new standard in zombie movies, but it’s the animated prequel Seoul Station with the highest Tomatometer score on the list, with a perfect 100%. Seoul Station , set before Train takes off, shows how the zombie outbreak began. Yeon Sang-ho directed both Seoul Station and Train to Busan , which is currently parked at third on the list with a 94% Certified Fresh score. The 2020 sequel, Peninsula , received mixed reviews: Its 49% Rotten score keeps it from ranking among the best of Korean horror.

Between Seoul Station and Train to Busan on the list is Na Hong-jin’s The Wailing , the supernatural mystery that leads a detective into a small town, where strange deaths have coincided with the arrival of a stranger. It has a formidable 99% Certified Fresh score, and releasing within the same time frame in America as Train to Busan made 2016 Korea’s year in horror. And rounding out the top five with a 91% score is Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum , a huge hit in its native country when it came out in 2018. Haunted is a found-footage movie depicted as set in the Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, an actual abandoned, deteriorating asylum in Korea’s Gyeonggi Province, whose mythology of murdered patients and missing insane doctors attracts urban crawlers from all over the world.

(Photo by Tartan Films/courtesy Everett Collection)

Bong Joon-Ho, who recently won Best Picture for Parasite , became an international name with 2007’s The Host , his cheeky take on the ecological monster movie. With a 93% Certified Fresh score, it ranks with the likes of Busan and The Wailing .

And other movies contributing to Korea’s surge in horror include this year’s Netflix zombie movie #Alive , Oldboy Park Chan-wook’s take on the vampire legend in Thirst , and A Tale of Two Sisters , Korea’s highest-grossing horror movie ever. It was remade in 2009 as The Uninvited with Elizabeth Banks.

Discover more about the movies, and everything else that made the cut, with the best Korean horror movies of all time on Rotten Tomatoes .

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24 Korean Horror Movies You Need To See

Korean horror movies are brutal, funny, and in a completely different league. The brand of horror found in Korean cinema contradicts much of what we expect from mainstream American movies. These films are not as concerned with quick cuts and jump scares, but rather digging into the deepest parts of the human subconscious, where dark thoughts grow like poisonous mushrooms. Violence is treated like an art form, beautifully choreographed in films like "Oldboy" and "I Saw The Devil" that illustrate the evil any person is capable of; in these movies, there isn't one explicit bad guy. Everyone can be the villain.

Directors like Bong Joon-ho and Park Chan-wook made names for themselves in the Korean horror scene, using the genre to create their own unique spins on well-worn tropes. Before "Parasite," Bong directed the environmental disaster film "The Host." Before "Stoker," Park made "Oldboy," as well as the rest of his Vengeance Trilogy. Korean horror films are masterclasses in building dread and tension, leading to deeply disturbing movies that offer twisted perspectives on the human condition. This list will highlight the best horror films that Korean filmmakers have to offer, which encompass everything from revenge thrillers to creature features to ghost stories.

A Tale of Two Sisters

Director Kim Jee-woo delivers a ghost story that's equal parts devastating and terrifying with his 2003 film "A Tale of Two Sisters." Su-mi (Im Soo-jung) is a teenage girl who was recently released from a mental institution and has returned home to the countryside with her father (Kim Kap-soo), younger sister Su-yeon (Moon Geun-young), and stepmother, Eun-joo (Yum Jung-ah). As she tries to settle in an uncomfortable routine with the cold Eun-joo, Su-mi starts to experience strange things happening around their home. A ghost girl appears under the sink, Su-mi is plagued with nightmares of her dead mother, and she suspects Eun-joo is abusing her younger sister. 

Make no mistake: "A Tale of Two Sisters" is not your typical ghost story, and Kim has a twist or two up his sleeve. It is the quintessential Korean horror film, full of jump scares and tragedy at the same time. "A Tale of Two Sisters" doesn't just want to be scary. It wants to get into the viewer's heads and dig deep into their emotions. "A Tale of Two Sisters" is more than just a horror movie; it's a horror experience .

This is the first mention of Park Chan-wook on this list, but it certainly won't be the last. Park's 2009 film "Thirst" is a touching, sexy, and gory vampire tale that provides a fresh perspective on the well-worn subgenre. Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho) is a priest who is secretly in love with a married woman named Tae-ju (Ok-bin Kim) and is doubting his faith. In an attempt to prove his devotion to God, Sang-hyun volunteers to be a test subject for a vaccine against a deadly virus. But the experiment goes wrong and he turns into a vampire. Sang-hyun tries to avoid his newfound love for human blood, but ultimately cannot resist his hunger. 

When Sang-hyun feeds, it's not just violent; it's really sexy. "Thirst" has perhaps the hottest sex scene I've ever seen in a horror movie. Song, who wowed the world with his performance as the poor patriarch in "Parasite," once again steals the show as a vampire full of ennui about his new state of being. While he mopes and ponders mortality, Sang-hyun is placed in direct contrast with the sexual and free Tae-ju, who wants to exercise power over those who doubt her. It's a domestic drama full of bloodthirsty creatures who are just trying to survive.

The Wailing

"The Wailing" is Korea's response to religious horror films focused on Christianity and the battle between God and the Devil. By contrast, Na Hong-jin's 2016 film is a religious epic about Korean mysticism and ritualistic practices that include an elaborate, yet futile, exorcism. 

In the small rural town of Gokseong, a strange disease is infecting residents, making them go mad and commit violent crimes. The string of murders are linked to the arrival of a Japanese man (Jun Kunimura) who lives on the outskirts of town. As the body count rises and his daughter becomes infected, police officer Jong-goo (Kwak Do-won) begins digging into the truth behind the disease. He's desperate for a solution, and his family eventually turns to a shaman for some kind of answer. 

But this situation is much more complicated, and an exorcism can't solve things. "The Wailing" is a story full of ghosts, zombies, and demons that, despite a 156-minute runtime, never gets boring. It's about religious fear, but also about the fear of the outsider. Korea was once under Japan's colonial power and experienced a series of atrocities at the hands of the Japanese. This, plus actions taken by Japan during World War II, bred animosity between the two countries, which is reflected in "The Wailing" through Kunimura's character; his invasion of a small Korean village comes with the historical weight of decades of anger.

If you're looking for some classic Korean brutality, look no further than Park Chan-wook's 2003 revenge thriller "Oldboy". Oh Dae-su (Choi Min-sik) has been imprisoned in the same room for 15 years. He has no idea who captured him or why. Then, one day, he is spontaneously released, which launches a search for those who ruined his life so that he can enact his revenge. Along the way, Dae-su falls in love with a young chef, which complicates his plan for vengeance. 

"Oldboy" has it all: Choi eating a live octopus, the iconic hammer-in-a-hallway fight, shocking revelations, and a tragic ending that feels like a punch in the stomach. This is a film full of twists, turns, conspiracies, and lies; just when you think you know where the film is heading, Park subverts your expectations. "Oldboy" is not an easy watch, but if you can stomach it, it's worth it. Park is an incredibly talented filmmaker and captures the nuance and complexity of revenge, a theme he expands on in the rest of his Vengeance Trilogy , which also includes "Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance" and "Lady Vengeance." 

Importantly, do not watch Spike Lee's remake with Josh Brolin. It waters down what makes "Oldboy" such a visceral experience and misses Park's core message about the destructive power of revenge.

I Saw the Devil

Kim Jee-woon's 2011 serial killer film "I Saw The Devil" is a heart-wrenching piece of brutality that depicts the futility of revenge. Jang Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik) is a serial killer who preys on helpless young women. His latest victim is the pregnant Jang Joo-yun (Oh San-ha), who he rapes and slaughters with a homemade guillotine before scattering her body parts in streams. When her ear is discovered, Joo-yun's fiancé Kim Soo-hyun (Lee Byung-hun), an agent for the National Intelligence Service, vows to get revenge against the monster that killed her. 

But this isn't a movie about his search for Kyung-chul. This is a movie about how Soo-hyun tortures Kyung-chul, refusing to grant him a quick and easy death. It's an agonizing game of cat-and-mouse in which no one is the winner and everyone is sad. And yet, it's worth your time. There's something special about a Korean horror film that makes you feel so upset, and yet still grateful that you put yourself through it.

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum

"Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum" is easily one of the best and scariest found footage films to be released in the last 10 years. It follows the creators of a paranormal YouTube channel who have announced that they and a group of six random people are venturing into the abandoned Gonjiam Asylum to try and capture a ghost on camera. They want to reach one million viewers on their livestream, and they'll do anything to get it. 

What makes "Gonjiam" so effective is how it subverts the audience's expectations. Yes, as a found footage movie, it's mostly shot from a first-person point of view, but the camera is not in the hands of only one person. Instead, by giving each character a camera, director Bum-shik Jung is able to focus on creating more horrific set pieces, including a close-up shot that will make you jump out of your skin (you'll know it when you see it).

"Gonjiam" effectively mixes sound design, found footage tropes, and real urban legends to create a film that is truly scary. If you aren't convinced about the effectiveness of found footage as a way to tell horror stories, "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum" may just be the film to change your mind.

Train to Busan

Zombies had their heyday in the early 2010s, but eventually over-saturated the world of horror to the point where they became more laughable than scary. But Yeon Sang-ho's 2016 film "Train To Busan" gave zombies the kick they needed and made the monsters scary again. 

Seok-woo Seo (Gong Yoo) is a workaholic who, despite his best efforts, has a strained relationship with his young daughter. In an attempt to fix things, he takes her on a trip to Busan. But this standard ride quickly turns deadly as an infected person stumbles on board and begins spreading the zombie virus throughout the train. Passengers are turned at an alarming rate, and survivors try to block off cars to protect themselves. But with such limited space, survival becomes increasingly more difficult as they approach Busan. 

The claustrophobia of the train cars make "Train to Busan" unique. These characters aren't wandering a sprawling city ravaged by the undead. Instead, "Train to Busan" is a much more focused film that takes the terror of a pandemic and focuses it in one place.

Bong Joon-ho's environmental creature feature "The Host" does what Bong does best: fuse great horror with an emotional core and a larger social message. An American scientist orders the dumping of formaldehyde into the Han River in Korea, damaging the local ecosystem. Fish are dying and the frogs that populate the river are starting to look a little strange. 

One day, a mutant amphibious creature emerges from the river and wreaks havoc on the riverfront. Among those affected is local merchant and lowlife Park Gang-du (Song Kang-ho) who runs a snack stand with his daughter Hyun-seo (Go Ah-sung) and father Hee-bong (Byun Hee-bong). They're separated during the chaos, and Hyun-seo becomes trapped in the sewers with the monster. Gang-du, Hee-bong, and Gang-du's siblings (Bae Doona and Park Hae-il) band together, despite their dysfunctional family dynamic, to save the youngest member from a terrible fate. 

Bong based "The Host" on an actual chemical spill from 2000, when an American mortician did actually dispose of formaldehyde by dumping it down the drain. This event not only destroyed the Han River, but also encouraged anti-American sentiment in the country, as the Americans made it seem like they didn't care about their host country; they just saw it as a dumping ground.

The Divine Fury

"The Divine Fury" has everything: martial arts, the battle between good and evil, MMA fights, demons, and exorcisms. Yong-hu (Seo-joon Park) is a martial artist who, after losing his father as a child, abandoned his faith. And like any good religious horror movie, that faith is pulled back into question as he has an experience with the supernatural. In this case, Yong-hu develops stigmata and seeks answers from priest and exorcist Father Ahn (Ahn Sung-ki). 

The affliction gives Yong-hu powers that help him destroy demons that possess human hosts. As they fight side-by-side, developing a tentative father-son relationship, Yong-hu and Ahn discover a deeper conspiracy after a club owner quite literally makes a deal with the Devil. Between the fights in the ring and the violent exorcisms, "The Divine Fury" is a flashy, well-choreographed film that takes the religious horror film to another action-packed level.

Get ready for another brutal revenge thriller — but this time, it's about a woman who finally snaps. 

"Bedevilled," Jang Cheol-soo's 2010 directorial debut, Bok-nam (Seo Young-hee) is a repressed housewife who lives on an isolated island with her abusive husband, controlling neighbors, and young daughter. She is told that it's her duty to obey her husband, and any abuse that she experiences is all her fault. Then, when an old friend (Hwan Geum-hee) comes to visit, Bok-nam sees an opportunity to escape with her daughter to Seoul. 

But her plan doesn't work out, and Bok-nam finally loses it. Armed with a sickle, she goes on a rampage against those who hurt her. Both Bok-nam's revenge and the sexual, physical, and emotional abuse she experiences on a daily basis are incredibly brutal to watch. Still, this is a cunning inversion of the divisive rape-revenge subgenre, one that wants you to really get into Bok-nam's head to better understand her violent motives, that won a number of awards on the festival circuit.

Huh Jong-ho's "Monstrum" is a perfect fusion of creature feature and period piece, a combo that's pretty difficult to find. The film takes place in 1527 during the rule of King Jungjong (Park Hee-soon). A plague has ravaged the country, and there are rumors of a man-eating monster who's stalking the mountains, picking people off one by one. The king tasks general Yun Kyum (Kim Myung-min) to discover the truth and catch whoever is responsible for these crimes. 

What follows is a bloodbath. The monster, based on the haetae, a creature with a lion's head, a single horn, and scales, is absolutely massive. Director Heo Jong-ho claims that "Monstrum" is based on a true story, which is technically correct: During the Joseon dynasty, there was a rumor about something that was eating people not long after a deadly plague swept across Korea. While it was never confirmed to be an actual beast, Heo brings the "what ifs" to life.

Wishing Stairs

Yun Jae-yeon, the only female director on this list, directed the 2003 ghost story "Wishing Stairs," which takes place in an all-girls art school. It's the third film in the "Whispering Corridors” franchise, but has no connection to the previous two movies. 

In "Wishing Stairs," there's a rumor that, if you walk about a specific flight of stairs and discover the 29th stair, you can make a wish and a fox spirit will grant it. This comes in handy when a bitter rivalry flares up between friends Yun Jin-sung (Song Ji-hyo) and Kim So-hee (Park Han-byul) as they compete for a spot in a prestigious ballet academy. Jing-sung tries the stair trick and discovers that it's true, so of course she wishes for admission to the ballet school. However, as often is the case with wishes, nothing is what it seems — Jing-sung quickly regrets her actions. This isn't just a story about an urban legend, but a story about jealousy, rivalry, and the lengths we'll go to come out on top.

The 2006 horror film "Cinderella" comments on the booming plastic surgery industry in Korea with a tale about a plastic surgeon who has sinister intentions. Hyeon-su is the daughter of Yoon-hee, a successful plastic surgeon who has worked on plenty of Hyeon-su's friends. To Hyeon-su, her mother is perfect in every way — they seem to have a perfect relationship. But then, Hyeon-su' friends begin committing suicide by slicing upon their faces and mumbling, "I'll make you pretty." As she connects the dots, Hyeon-su realizes that her mom may not be what she seems. 

The story spirals into bizarre yet intriguing territory that contains both supernatural pottery and masks. In Korea, teenage girls get plastic surgery at a young age, obsessed with being "beautiful" as defined by unrealistic beauty standards. Director Bong Man-dae uses "Cinderella" to shine a light on the countrywide struggles Korean teenagers face, and the pressure they feel to conform to a particular way of looking and being.

In "Possessed," Hee-jin (Nam Sang-mi) returns home after her younger sister So-jin (Shim Eun-kyung) goes missing. Waiting for her is her overly religious mother (Kim Bo-yeon), who refuses to involve the authorities in the search for So-jinn. But then, a neighbor commits suicide, which reveals that more than one neighbor believed that So-jinn was actually possessed. 

While Hee-jin experiences increasingly bizarre and terrifying dreams, police officer Tae-hwan (Ryoo Seung-ryong) becomes drawn deeper and deeper into a truly unique and horrifying case. This is another film that, like "The Wailing," addresses shamanism in modern Korea and how it contrasts with more contemporary Catholic beliefs. "Possessed" is heavy with tension, and makes the viewer question their own beliefs about what is actually unfolding on screen. This isn't a film that wants to provide easy answers, but instead wants to tangle the viewer in its web until the very end.

Writer-director Jang Hang-jun's 2017 feature "Forgotten" is a difficult film to discuss without venturing into spoiler territory. The set-up goes like this: Jin-seok (Kang Ha-neul) and his family move into a new house, and Jin-seok gets the uncomfortable feeling that he's been there before. Within a few days, weird noises start coming from a forbidden room, and it seems like you're about to experience a haunted house story. But then Jin-seok's brother Yoo-seok (Kim Mu-yeol) is kidnapped. He returns 19 days later, but is no longer the same. His limp is gone, and his behavior is slightly off.

Jin-seok suspects that someone — or some thing — has taken over his brother's body, but he can't prove it. So, he starts stalking his brother whenever he leaves in the middle of the night, desperate to find answers. What he uncovers is far more diabolical than he could have predicted. 

"Forgotten" plays on genre tropes to misdirect the audience into believing, just like Jin-seok, that what's happening is real. Is it all a figment of our collective imaginations? Or are we being fooled by the director? You'll have to watch "Forgotten" to find out.

The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale

Director Lee Min-jae's feature film debut is an impressive one. 2019's "The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale" (co-written with Jung Seo-in) has a comedic tone similar to the one in Shin'ichirō Ueda's "One Cut of the Dead," but the film approaches the genre through a very different lens. When a pharmaceutical company tests out a new diabetes medication, they unwittingly create a zombie virus that is not your typical run-of-the-mill apocalypse starter.

More than anything, family patriarch Man-duk (Park In-Hwan) wants to pull his family out of the lower-middle class, but a spiraling economy keeps him scrounging for scraps. His wife, Nam-joo (Ji-won Uhm), is a stern figure, constantly nagging him about finances, with his two sons, Joon-gul (Jung Jae-young) and Min-gul (Kim Nam-gil), and daugther Hye-gul (Lee Soo-kyung) rounding out his eccentric, possibly psychopathic, clan.

A homeless man in a bathroom gets bitten and turns into a full-fledged zombie, yet when Man-duk gets a chunk of flesh torn from his body, he experiences something wildly different. He's not turning into a flesh-eater, but a younger version of himself. This sparks a new entrepreneurial idea: convince people to pay to be bitten. "Zombie on Sale" pulses with a tremendous amount of heart while following an unlikely love story between Hye-gul and the zombie. It's fresh, wild, and an utter delight.

Warning: Do Not Play

In writer-director Kim Jin-won's 2019 film "Warning: Do Not Play," an urban legend circulates about a movie filmed by a ghost. At the same time, Park Mi-jung (Seo Yea-ji) is an up-and-coming filmmaker struggling to find inspiration for her next project. She hears from a good friend that mayhem erupted at the movie's premiere, leading to countless deaths, including one by heart attack. Problem solved, right? 

But, as Park searches for answers, everyone she comes across warns her about the dangers of probing any further. And yet, Park posts an anonymous message online, asking anyone with information about the movie or where it was filmed to reach out to her. The film's director, Jae-Hyun (Jin Sun-kyu),  responds, but his disheveled appearance and strange behavior only make her more curious.

Incorporating found footage elements, "Warning: Do Not Play" is made of pure nightmare fuel, especially as the aspiring filmmaker learns the meaning of the phrase "curiosity killed the cat." All along the way, Jin-won plays with your expectations; you may not be expecting it, but what you'll receive here is a totally surprising and enthralling ghost story.

The Handmaiden

Park Chan-wook is one of the great visionaries of our time. He speaks a particular poetic language in much of his work, and through a screwy, erotic psychology, manages to delve into layers of the human existence that transcends the medium itself. Park's 2016 film, "The Handmaiden," is a rich tapestry of greed, lust, and betrayal that unfolds in three parts, featuring gorgeous cinematography from director of photography Chung-hoon Chung.

When a handmaiden named Sook-hee (Kim Tae-ri) arrives at the lavish estate of Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee) at the behest of her co-conspirator Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo), she's in ensnared in a dark, seductive web. Here, things are never quite as they seem. For one, Sook-hee and Fujiwara are plotting to steal Hideko's family fortune. For another, as Sook-hee gains Hideko's confidence, an unexpected romance blossoms with a feverish, sweaty intensity. But that's just the beginning. The complexity of the story and everyone's involvement grows more tangled with each chapter, and Park's ability to keep you hooked for 144 minutes is impressive. Trust me, not a single minute is wasted.

Zombie movies are a dime a dozen these days, making it hard to imagine what else there is to say in the genre. So, yes, I was surprised by writer-director Cho Il-hyung's 2020 film "Alone," based on a short story by Matt Naylor. While fully embracing the zombie apocalypse and its wacky rules, Il-hyung sends the viewer on a heart-pounding roller coaster ride that packs an emotional thematic punch (just be aware that it should come with a trigger warning; the film contains a very graphic depiction of attempted suicide by hanging). 

The film opens on the central character, Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in), your typical tech-obsessed Gen Z-er. We see him gaming with his friends, various gadgets flickering around him, when the outbreak hits. Over the coming days, the technology slowly fizzles out, and his connections to the outside world prove to be nonexistent. Eventually, Joon-woo befriends a young girl named Kim Yoo-bin (Park Shin-hye), who lives across the street in another building. Together, they must learn to trust one another and survive. 

In its small-scale approach and focus on basic survival, "Alive" is unlike other zombie movies. This isn't a film with global stakes. The plot largely focuses on a single city block in a bigger metropolis. Still, the fear of death hangs thick on the camera lens; "Alive" is the kind of heartfelt, provocative narrative that sticks with you for weeks.

In Bong Joon-ho's 2009 film "Mother," a young man named Yoon Do-joon (Won Bin) is accused of murder in a very small town in South Korea. Do-joon has a learning disability, which makes him an easy scapegoat for the police, who consider it an open-shut case. However, Do-joon's mother (Kim Hye-ja) doesn't believe the allegations and goes on a vigilante mission to prove his innocence. She'll do almost anything to uncover the truth, but the trail leads her down a dark rabbit hole she may soon regret following.

"Mother," which Bong co-wrote with Park Eun-kyo, is a simple revenge tale, one entrenched in loyalty to family, forgiveness, and morality. At one point, a newly-hired lawyer suggests sending Do-joon to a mental hospital for four years in lieu of a 15-year prison sentence. The offer is tempting, but his mother vehemently declines the idea and digs deeper into her quest for truth. And when the dead girl's phone proves to be a vital piece in the puzzle, Do-joon's mother learns that everyone in her world has secrets, and that she may have one of her own to add to the ever-growing pile.

The Quiet Family

The 2019 Oscar-winning film "Parasite" feels directly inspired by Kim Jee-woon's tar-black 1989 horror-comedy "The Quiet Family." In terms of humor and visual style, both films could very well exist in the same spiritual universe, as they each deal with familial dysfunction and a desperation to climb out of the lower class.

In Kim's film, an extended family moves from the bustling city to a lodge nestled against a mountainous ridge. The father, Kang Dae-goo (Park In-hwan), and mother, Jeong Soon-rye (Na Moon-hee), hope to transform the isolated home into a hotspot for hikers heading into the surrounding mountains. Their very first guest checks into room 203 and requests some beer; his lifeless body is discovered the next morning. The hiker's suicide seems to spark some sort of ancient curse, leading to countless deaths in and around the property. Disheveled and confused, Dae-goo and Soon-rye bury the bodies out in the backyard.

"The Quiet Family" switches between sardonic humor and an earnest examination of the weight of death and the afterlife. You never know what lengths some people will go to for fortune and fame, even if doing so makes them awful people. The film's madcap tone makes for a delightful watch.

Hansel and Gretel

Director Yim Pil-sung upends every expectation when it comes to the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale. In fact, the children play a very different role in this take on the story. Released in 2007, "Hansel and Gretel" explores ideas around humanity's inherent kindness, torture and trauma, and the preservation of childhood innocence.

A working salesman, Eun-soo (Chun Jung-myung), is traveling along Highway 69 when he crashes his car and is knocked unconscious. When he awakes, he finds himself inside an enchanted forest. As he makes his way through the overgrown brush, he soon meets a young girl named Young-hee (Shim Eun-kyung), who's dressed up like Red Riding Hood. She leads Eun-soo through the woods to an idyllic two-story home, where he meets her parents, her older brother, Man-bok (Eun Won-jae), and his younger sister, Jung-soon (Jin Ji-hee). Everything appears to be normal enough until the parents flee in the middle of the night, leaving only a note that urges Eun-soo to stay and care for the children.

Of course, there's (always) more going on than first meets the eye. When Eun-soo tries to leave, he is forced back to the home after wandering aimlessly in circles. The children grow increasingly fond of him and plead for him to stay. But something (or someone) lurks in the attic. Before long, Eun-soo uncovers the truth, and must make a surprising choice. "Hansel & Gretel" brims with twists and turns, as knotty and coarse as the woods in which Eun-soo is trapped.

"Rampant" is a perfect example of how, sometimes, critics get things wrong. Director Kim Sung-hoon stages a war between exiled Prince Lee Chung (Hyun Bin) and the Joseon minister of war, Kim Ja-joon (Jang Dong-gun), amidst an apocalyptic zombie outbreak. Written by Hwang Jo-yoon, the period-set action-horror epic is cinematic in every possible way. The combat sequences are nail-biting and thrilling, as well as appropriately gruesome.

Once Lee Chung and his goofy bodyguard, Hak-Su (Jeong Man-sik), return to Jemulpo, they discover that the village has been ravaged and destroyed. Lee Chugn's first assumption is that an uprising occurred, but then he's confronted by armed soldiers who attempt to kill and bury him. During their skirmish, a horde of zombies (or "demons," as they're called in this universe) climb out of the rubble and attack. Lee Chung continues to make his way to the king's court, and shares the news of the outbreak.

At first, the king commissions an army to eradicate the swarm, but then revokes the order. Instead, an upcoming banquet in honor of a nearby Qing dynasty goes on as planned — and it's total pandemonium. "Rampant" may have been raked over the coals upon release, but it's an action-packed adventure that's worth seeing for the kills alone.

Kwon Oh-seung's debut feature, "Midnight," is one of 2022's most surprising releases. It's a nail-biter that'll leave you tense and breathless, unable to pick your jaw off the floor. The film stars Wi Ha-Jun, known for his work in "Squid Game" and the found footage classic "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum," as deranged serial killer Do-sik. He's been stalking the neighborhood, leaving a trail of bodies behind him. While he's in the middle of killing a young woman, Do-sik spots a deaf woman named Kyung-mi (played by Jin Ki-joo) and her mother (Hae-yeon Kil). Believing them to be easy targets, he hunts them through the streets of South Korea. However, Kyung-mi proves to be far from easy to kill.

Kyung-mi may be deaf, but that doesn't make her weak. Far from it. She has a fierce spirit, and she's incredibly resilient. She's also perceptive, able to rely on her instincts to guide her through the city. On the other hand, Do-sik is not only out for blood; he also promises to psychologically scar his victims. When Do-sik sets his sights on you, he plays a cat-and-mouse game designed to break you down before he pounces, ripping out your insides. While "Midnight" may not be as viciously relentless as, for example, the Taiwanese film "The Sadness," it still delivers plenty of tension and violence to keep you entranced.

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The Best Korean Horror Movies Of All Time

Looking for a fright night binge? Look no further than these top-notch Korean horror movies, voted on by fans just like you! This list is curated based on crowd rankings, making it a true reflection of what horror buffs appreciate. It’s not just another list; it’s a guide to the scariest films from South Korea that push the boundaries of psychological torment, supernatural elements, and raw human fears. What makes it special? Thousands of filmgoers contributed to create a selection of the best Korean horror flicks, ensuring every mention is a must-watch.

These movies excel at blending terror with deep storytelling. For example, Train to Busan deliver relentless zombie action and emotional human drama, making it a modern classic. I Saw the Devil is a visceral exploration of vengeance that leaves viewers questioning the nature of good and evil, while  The Wailing engages with its mix of supernatural horror and dark folklore. A Tale of Two Sisters employs atmospheric visuals to tell an eerie psychological tale, and  Death Bell combines high school terror with a brutal, puzzle-solving twist. Each offers something unique, from zombie outbreaks on a train to supernatural mysteries in small towns, setting them apart in the horror genre. Other popular Korean horror movies with monsters and ghosts include The Host , Voice , and The Red Shoes . 

If you crave a good scare and want to dive into the best of scary Korean movies, this is your chance. Engage with the list and vote for your favorites. Whether you’re into psychological thrillers, gory vengeance stories, or supernatural hauntings, make your voice heard and help determine which titles reign supreme in Korean horror cinema. Don't forget to share the scares with fellow horror fans! 

Train to Busan

For fans of : World War Z, 28 Days Later, Dawn of the Dead, Zombieland, Shaun of the Dead

Train to Busan  is considered a modern classic in the realm of Korean horror cinema, blending relentless zombie action with poignant human drama. Its storyline follows a group of passengers aboard a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan, who must band together when an infectious virus turns their fellow travelers into bloodthirsty zombies. Bolstered by strong performances, particularly from lead actor Gong Yoo and child star Kim Su-an, the film delivers both heart-stopping suspense and emotional resonance.

• Released : 2016
• Directed by : Yeon Sang-ho

I Saw the Devil

For fans of : Se7en, Oldboy, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, No Country for Old Men, Silence of the Lambs

A visceral exploration of vengeance that pushes the boundaries of what constitutes horror cinema,  I Saw the Devil  follows National Intelligence Service agent Soo-hyun (Lee Byung-hun) on his quest for revenge against Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik), a serial killer responsible for the murder of his fiancée.

As Soo-hyun's pursuit grows increasingly extreme and sadistic, he risks becoming a monster just as terrifying as the man he seeks to destroy. Featuring skilled directing by Kim Jee-woon and unflinching depictions of violence, I Saw the Devil is a descent into darkness that leaves viewers questioning notions of justice and morality.

• Released : 2010
• Directed by : Kim Jee-woon

The Wailing

For fans of : The Exorcist, Hereditary, The Witch, The Conjuring, Sinister

The Wailing is an atmospheric chiller that combines elements of supernatural horror, psychological thriller, and dark folklore to create dread and suspense. Set in a remote village plagued by mysterious deaths and inexplicable occurrences, the plot revolves around a bumbling police officer tasked with investigating the sinister happenings.

Directed by Na Hong-jin, the tale unfolds at a deliberate pace, allowing its chilling atmosphere and rich thematic content to seep into viewers' consciousness like an insidious curse. Aided by haunting cinematography and convincing performances from Kwak Do-won and Jun Kunimura, The Wailing lingers long after the credits roll.

• Directed by : Na Hong-jin

A Tale of Two Sisters

For fans of : The Others, The Sixth Sense, Hereditary, The Ring, The Orphanage

A Tale of Two Sisters is an atmospheric psychological horror film directed by Kim Jee-woon, based on the Korean folktale Janghwa Hongryeon jeon . It centers on two sisters, Soo-mi and Soo-yeon, who return home after an extended stay in a mental institution and find their family life fraught with tension and secrets. As their relationships with their cold stepmother and distant father deteriorate further, disturbing supernatural phenomena begin to manifest within the house.

Boasting richly textured visuals, haunting sound design, and powerful performances from Im Soo-jung and Moon Geun-young as the titular siblings, this eerie tale blurs the lines between reality and nightmare in ways that are both unsettling and unforgettable.

• Released : 2003

For fans of : Saw, Battle Royale, Final Destination, Cube, Exam

A sinister twist on the high school horror genre that combines elements of mystery, thriller, and slasher films into one, Death Bell is set in an elite South Korean high school where academic pressure reaches fever pitch. The storyline follows a group of students trapped inside their school with a sadistic killer who forces them to solve horrible puzzles or face grisly consequences.

Brimming with tense moments, unexpected twists, and plenty of violence, it keeps viewers guessing until its shocking conclusion. With strong performances from Lee Beom-soo and Yoon Jung-hee as educators caught up in the carnage alongside their students, Death Bell raises the stakes for horror aficionados seeking cerebral chills.

• Released : 2008
• Directed by : Yoon Hong-Seung

For fans of : Godzilla, Cloverfield, The Thing, Tremors, The Mist

Director Bong Joon-ho's The Host is an inventive genre-blender that deftly combines creature feature thrills, biting social commentary, and a healthy dose of black humor. Its premise centers on a dysfunctional family who must band together to rescue their youngest member when she's captured by a mutant creature that emerges from the polluted Han River. With its seamless blend of tension, humor, and heartbreak, The Host  - which stars Song Kang-ho, Byun Hee-bong, and Park Hae-il - transcends traditional horror conventions to deliver a distinctly Korean take on the monster movie formula.

• Released : 2006
• Directed by : Bong Joon-ho

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24 Best Korean Horror Movies Even The Faint-Hearted Can’t Resist Watching

Korean horror movies 

When it comes to pop culture, South Korea is best known for two things – K-Pop and K-dramas. But besides catchy tunes from the likes of BTS and Twice , as well as hit dramas such as Crash Landing on You , Itaewon Class , and Kingdom , Korea also has another thing to offer: Korean horror movies. Like Japan, South Korea has mastered the art of making horror films that keep you coming back for more. Even better – many of these films star A-list actors such as Park Seo-joon, Park Min-young, and Park So-dam. We’ve curated a list of 24 Korean horror movies that will send chills down your spine, so turn off the lights, get comfy and put one of these films on. And if you feel like someone’s watching you in the middle of the night, it’s probably nothing…

Table of Contents

1. Guimoon: The Lightless Door (2021)

2. the closet (2020), 3. the divine fury (2019), 4. gonjiam: haunted asylum (2018), 5. the wrath (2018) , 6. the mimic (2017), 7. the wailing (2016) , 8. the silenced (2015), 9. the piper (2015), 10. the wicked (2014), 11. hide and seek (2013), 12. don’t click (2012), 13. the cat (2011), 14. white: melody of death (2011), 15. i saw the devil (2010), 16. bedevilled (2010), 17. thirst (2009), 18. death bell (2008), 19. cinderella (2006), 20. the doll master (2004), 21. r point (2004), 22. a tale of two sisters (2003), 23. wishing stairs (2003), 24. phone (2002), must-watch korean horror movies .

• Kim Kang Woo as Do Jin
• Kim So Hye as Hye Young 

Set in a dilapidated training centre, Guimoon: The Lightless Door follows a string of mysterious and inexplicable events that occur within a building. 

Back in 1990, an employee at the training centre killed several guests and took his own life. Following the serial killings, the building was shut off and has been abandoned since.

The first person to set foot into the training centre after its abandonment is Do Jin, the director of a research institute. He musters the courage to enter the building with a sole purpose in mind:  find out what led to his mother’s death. Alongside Do Jin are 3 university students who pay a visit to the training centre to film a video.

You’ll have to watch the movie to find out who is awaiting behind closed doors – literally and figuratively.

Watch the teaser here:

Video credit: PLAYYMOVIE

• Ha Jung Woo as Sang Woon
• Kim Nam Gil as Kyung Hoon
• Heo Yool as Yi Na

Released back in February 2020, The Closet surprised viewers by being more than just a horror film, weaving in a heartwarming father-daughter relationship amidst the scares.

After the passing of his wife, Sang Woon decides to move into a new home with his daughter, Yi Na, to rebuild their relationship. But his plan to do so is interrupted by Yi Na’s newfound friend – a spirit who lures her into a closet, resulting in her disappearance. 

With news of Yi Na’s disappearance spreading across different media outlets, a mysterious man by the name of Kyung Hoon visits Sang Woon to let him know that 32 other children have disappeared in the house and he has been working on the missing cases for close to a decade. 

With no one else to turn to for help, Sang Woon agrees to work together with Kyung Hoon to find his daughter. 

Catch the teaser here: 

Video credit: CJ ENM Movie

• Park Seo Joon as Yong Hoo
• Ahn Sung Ki as Father Ahn
• Woo Do Hwan as Ji Shin

Well, even if horror isn’t something up your alley, it’s hard to give this one a miss when the main cast consists of Park Seo Joon from Itaewon Class and Woo Do Hwan, that good-looking captain from The King: Eternal Monarch . 

Park Seo Joon plays Yong Hoo, a successful MMA fighter who doesn’t believe in a higher power after having lost his father in an unfortunate accident when he was younger. But when a wound appears on his palm, Yong Hoo turns to an exorcist, for help, only to find himself embroiled in a fight against evil forces – which is something he didn’t sign up for.

Check out the teaser here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAS4nyOl99k

Video credit: BUCKET STUDIO

• Park Ji Hyun as Ji Hyun
• Moon Ye Won as Charlotte 
• Lee Seung Wook as Seung Wook
• Park Sung Hoon as Sung Hoon
• Wi Ha Joon as Ha Joon
• Oh Ah Yeon as Ah Yeon
• Yoo Je Yoon as Je Yoon

A horror film based on an actual abandoned hospital is as real as it can get. 

When a group of six individuals set out to livestream their experience in Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital – which really exists in Gwangju and has been mentioned in CNN’s list of the 10 freakiest places around the world – you can only expect the worst for them. 

And when the streaming goes live, strange occurrences start to happen and they soon find themselves too frightened to even move an inch.

Don’t miss out on the teaser: 

Video credit: 쇼박스 SHOWBOX

• Seo Young Hee as Lady Shin
• Son Na Eun as Ok Bun
• Park Min Ji as Wol Ah

Set in the Joseon dynasty, The Wrath weaves history and horror to elicit fear from the audience.

With 3 capable sons, the Lee family is known as one of the most reputable and powerful clans around. But their familial prestige crumbles into pieces when 2 out of 3 sons die out of the blue. Now, every ounce of hope and expectation is placed on Myung Kyu, the youngest and now only son in the family.

Driven by the need to give birth to a son, Myung Kyu weds Ok Bun. However, his first night with his wife becomes his last as he, too, loses his life. In the midst of enduring hostile treatment from her in-laws and carrying Myung Kyu’s child, Ok Bun realises that there’s something uncanny about the Lee family. 

Catch the teaser here:

Video credit: Shudder

• Yum Jung Ah as Hee Yeon
• Park Hyuk Kwon as Min Ho 
• Shin Rin Ah as Girl
• Heo Jin as Soon Ja

When Hee Yeon’s son goes missing without a trace, she decides to move into a house in the countryside with her family to cope with the loss. There, she meets a girl who has lost her way in the woods. WIth a voice sounding eerily similar to her son’s, Hee Yeon can’t help but empathise with the little girl and eventually takes her in. 

There’s an urban legend in Korea that tells of a creature that’s freakishly good at mimicking voices. And when unusual things start happening around the family, they question if the little girl is even human to begin with.

Watch the teaser here: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx9i0ep8XbM

• Kwak Do Won as Jong Goo
• Hwang Jung Min as Il Gwang
• Chun Woo Hee as Moo Myung
• Kim Hwan Hee as Hyo Jin

Arguably one of the best horror Korean movies, The Wailing takes place in a village called Gokseong. The outbreak of a novel virus throws the society into a state of tumult and chaos, taking away the lives of many. 

The virus began to spread like wildfire after the entrance of a Japanese man, who had raped and infected a woman. Thereafter, he kills her entire family. 

Jong Goo, a police officer, investigates the correlation between the Japanese man and the unknown disease. What started as a task soon turns into something more significant as his daughter’s life is on the line.

Don’t miss out on the teaser:

Video credit: 20th Century Studios Korea

• Park Bo Young as Joo Ran
• Uhm Ji Won as Headmistress
• Park So Dam as Yeon Duk

The Silenced is set during the Japanese Occupation of Korea. 

Park Bo Young plays high school student Joo Ran. She has recently been transferred to a female boarding school in Keijo – present day Seoul – to nurse her frail body back to health. 

Everything seems fine until she starts to notice the disappearances of her classmates with each passing day. She’s even more certain that something is amiss when she feels weird bodily changes, such as the inability to control her emotions and increased physical strength. 

She and her best friend Yeon Duk try to escape after discovering that the girls in the school – including themselves – are actually test subjects for a newly invented drug by the Japanese. But finding a way out isn’t simple as they stumble upon a Japanese military base at the edge of their school compound. 

Video credit: Lotte Entertainment (International)

• Ryu Seung Ryong as Woo Ryong
• Lee Sung Min as Village head
• Chun Woo Hee as Mi Sook
• Lee Joon as Nam Soo
• Goh Seung Hyun as Young Nam 

Set in the period after the Korean war, The Piper follows Woo Ryung, a flautist, and his son as they venture into the forest in search of a new home. They come across a village that’s infested with rats said to gorge on human flesh. 

Woo Ryung makes a deal with the village head and promises to help him rid the village of vermin in exchange for a cow. But what seems to be a simple job isn’t as straightforward as it seems when the village head is hiding. 

Video credit: shsy7982

• Park Joo Hee as Se Young
• Na Soo Yoon as Lee Sun
• Lee Mi Soo as Se Min
• Shin Ye Jin as Eun Jung
• Han Jae Yi as Hwa Young
• Lee Ik Joon as Min Ho 

While a blossoming office romance is common in many K-dramas, it often overshadows the office politics that are playing out in the background. But in The Wicked , that takes a centrestage as backstabbing and sabotaging are brought to a whole new level, surpassing petty politics.

A new employee by the name of Se Young is constantly picked on by her superior, Lee Sun, due to her withdrawn and introverted personality. But as the saying goes, what goes around comes around – Se Young is ready to get her revenge on Lee Sun through wicked ways. 

Video credit: 네영카TV

• Son Hyun Joo as Sung Soo
• Jeon Mi Sun as Min Ji
• Moon Jung Hee as Joo Hee
• Jung Joon Won as Ho Se
• Kim Soo Ahn as Soo Ah
• Kim Ji Young as Pyeong Hwa 

When a simple game of hide-and-seek goes terribly wrong, you only have yourself to blame for joining in the fun – but that’s if you voluntarily sign up for it though. 

Sung Soo has a successful business and lives a comfortable life in a luxury apartment. However, he has always wondered how his brother is doing and decides to pay him a visit at the rundown apartment he lives in. 

Over there, Sung Soo runs into a neighbour, Joo Hee. She’s terrified of Sung Soo’s brother and begs him to talk his brother out of spying on her and her daughter. Baffled by this, Sung Soo decides to scan through the building, only to realise that every unit is marked with different signs that indicate the number and gender of the people residing in them. 

These signs eventually find their way right outside of his own apartment and he’s roped into a twisted game of hide-and-seek, Sung Soo has trouble getting a hold of the suspect, who’s most certainly his brother. 

Video credit: MOVIE&NEW 무비앤뉴

• Park Bo Young as Se Hee
• Joo Won as Joon Hyuk
• Kang Byul as Jung Mi

Jung Mi regularly uploads videos online to earn some extra cash for her and her sister, Se Hee. When she comes across a folder labelled as “forbidden video”, she immediately contacts Se Hee’s boyfriend, Joon Hyuk, to help crack open the encrypted file. 

But after watching the video together, Jung Mi and Se Hee’s lives are now a living nightmare, constantly haunted by a presence they can’t even track down. 

Video credit: BIFAN Official

• Park Min Young as So Yeon
• Kim Ye Ron as Hee Jin
• Kim Dong Wook as Jun Seok
• Shin Da Eun as Bo Hee

Park Min Young is well-known for her roles in hit K-dramas such as Healer and What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim . But back in 2011, she actually starred in her first and only movie, The Cat . 

Pet groomer So Yeon takes in a cat named Bidanyi after its owner unexpectedly passes away in an elevator. Not long after, So Yeon’s life is turned upside down. She starts having recurring nightmares of a little girl, and to make matters worse, her best friend Bo Hee is found dead next to a cat she recently adopted. 

Baffled by strange occurrences that all seem to be linked to cats, So Yeon teams up with police officer Jun Seok to investigate the case.

Video credit: MMOCCACI

• Ham Eun Jung as Eun Ju 
• May Doni Kim as Shin Ji
• Choi Ah Ra as Ah Rang
• Jin Se Yeon as Je Ni
• Hwang Woo Seul Hye as Soon Ye

“Pink Dolls” is a little-known girl group comprised of members Eun Ju, Shin Ji, Je Ni, and Ah Rang. After remaking an unreleased old song titled “White”, the band immediately shot to fame. Unbeknownst to them, the song is cursed, leaving all members dead but one. 

Video credit: CJEntertainmentUSA

• Lee Byung Hun as Kim Soo Hyun 
• Choi Min Sik as Jang Kyung Chul 
• Oh San Ha as Jang Joo Yun 

On a fateful night, Joo Yun’s vehicle stalls on an empty highway and Kyung Chul, a serial killer on the loose, offers her assistance. Days later, Joo Yun is found dead. 

Her fiance, Soo Hyun, then vows to hunt down Kyung Chul, even if it means turning into a person like him. 

• Seo Young Hee as Kim Bok Nam 
• Ji Sung Won as Hae Won
• Park Jeong Hak as Man Jong
• Baek Su Ryun as Dong Ho’s grandmother
• Lee Ji Eun as Kim Yeon Hee
• Bae Sung Woo as Cheol Jong

After experiencing unbearable stress at work in Seoul, Hae Won decides to visit her grandfather’s hometown, a secluded island in South Korea, for a much-needed breather. 

During her time there, she manages to catch up with her childhood friend Bok Nam, who seems to be having a rough time on the island where she’s constantly abused by her husband Man Jong and trampled on by other villagers. Despite knowing her plight, Hae Won refuses to help Bok Nam and her daughter Yeon Hee to escape to the city.

Bok Nam eventually musters up the courage to take flight with Yeon Hee when she learns that her daughter is being sexually abused by her father. This attempt is intercepted by Man Jong, which unfortunately resulted in Yeon Hee’s death.

Yeon Hee’s passing proves to be the final straw and Bok Nam is ready to release all that pent-up anger and hatred by inflicting pain onto the ones who did the same to her. 

Video credit: Far East Films

• Song Kang Ho as Sang Hyun
• Kim Ok Bin as Tae Ju
• Shin Ha Kyun as Kang Woo

International fans may know Song Kang Ho for his role in the movie Parasite , but he’s actually one of the most outstanding actors in Korea, having won awards for films such as The Snowpiercer (2013), Memories of Murder (2003), The Host (2006), and The Taxi Driver (2017). Thirst also saw this actor snagging the Best Actor award in four different award ceremonies. 

In this film, Kang Ho plays a selfless Catholic priest who has been serving people faithfully for years. He decides to volunteer for a project that aims at creating a vaccine to eradicate a deadly virus, but ends up contracting it himself. However, he miraculously regains his health after undergoing a blood transfusion. 

Words spread fast across town about Sang Hyun’s speedy recovery, but little known to them, a vampire’s blood now flows in him and his desire for humans’ blood and flesh has never been greater. 

Video credit: LookEastFilmFestival

• Lee Beom Soo as Hwang Chang Ok
• Kim Bum as Kang Hyun 
• Nam Gyu Ri as Yi Na 
• Yoon Jung Hee as Choi So Young 

The brightest students are locked up in a school compound with their teachers, Hwang Chang Ok and Choi So Young. There, they have to answer a question correctly within a time limit or a student trapped in a water tank will drown and die. 

They fail their first test, resulting in her death. While scrambling to find a way out of the school, despite being told otherwise, they witness the unnatural deaths of their fellow classmates.

Video credit: World Film Trailer 2014

• Do Ji Won as Yoon Hee
• Shin Se Kyung as Hyun Soo
• Ahn Gyu Ryun as Sung Eon
• Yoo Da In as Su Kyeong
• Jeon So Min as Hye Won

It’s no secret that beauty comes with a price. But no one would’ve expected to get more than what they’ve bargained for after having a procedure done by one of the most famous and successful plastic surgeons in the country, Yoon Hee. 

Hyun Soo, the daughter of Yoo Hee, and most of her friends have had their faces done by her mother. But things turn ugly when, one by one, they start to cut up their faces. 

She’s horrified by these occurrences and there’s one thing she’s certain about is – all the cases are linked to her mother. 

Check out the teaser here: 

Video credit: SomosAsia

• Kim Yoo Mi as Hae Mi
• Lim Eun Kyung as Min Ah 
• Shim Hyung Tak as Tae Seong
• Ok Ji Young as Young Ha

Dolls and creepiness – name a more iconic duo.

The Doll Master follows five individuals from different walks of life: Hae Mi, Tae Seong, Young Ha, Jung Ki, and Sun Young. They are cordially invited to a doll museum, run by Choi Jin Wan and Im Jae Won, to have dolls specially made in the image of themselves. 

At the museum, Hae Mi keeps coming across Mi Na, a young girl dressed in red. She turns out to be the soul of the doll Hae Mi used to have by her side when she was younger. However, things start to get out of hand when those who came to the museum with Hae Mi meet their untimely ends.

• Kam Woo Sung as Lieutenant Choi Tae In
• Son Byong Ho as Sergeant Jin Chang Rok
• Park Sang Won as Sergeant Cook
• Lee Sun Kyun as Sergeant Park

In 1972, during the Vietnam war, a South Korean military base suddenly receives a radio transmission from a team of 18 men who have presumably all lost their lives in Romeo Point. 

Together with his team, Lieutenant Choi Tae In sets off into the dense jungle in an attempt to rescue those who are left stranded in R Point. But one by one, the men in Choi’s team meet with unnatural deaths. 

Video credit: CARLOS APOLO – TRAILERS GEEK

• Im Soo Jung as Bae Su Min
• Moon Geun Young as Bae Su Yeon
• Yum Jung Ah as Heo Eun Joo
• Kim Kap Soo as Bae Moo Hyeon

Bae Su Min, a young teenage girl who suffers from a mental disorder, recently got discharged from a mental institution and returns home to her family. However, life back at home is no longer the same as before with the addition of a new family member, stepmother Eun Joo. 

As Su Min constantly witnesses the abuses her little sister Su Yeon endures under their stepmother, her hatred and anger toward Eun Joo escalates. The abuse eventually leads to Su Yeon’s death.

Video credit: Horror Lover

• Song Ji Hyo as Yun Jin Sung 
• Park Han Byul as Kim So Hee
• Jo An as Uhm Hye Joo
• Park Ji Yeon as Han Yun Jin 

Having your desires granted without having to lift a finger sounds tempting, doesn’t it? Wishing Stairs revolves around a mysterious 29th step on a flight of stairs that grants you a wish if you ever come across it. 

While Jin Sung and So Hee are good friends in an all-girls school, they are also competitors for a spot at a renowned ballet school in Russia. 

After learning about the legend of the mysterious step from Hye Joo, Jin Sung, who’s desperate for the spot, decides to see for herself if her wish will really come true. Unbeknownst to her, comes with a hefty price – the life of So Hee. 

Overwhelmed with grief, Hye Joo sets out to find this very step to wish for So Hee’s return. And like the wish before hers, it comes with a consequence – the return of a vengeful spirit.

Video credit: CJ ENM

• Ha Ji Won as Ji Won
• Kim Yoo Mi as Ho Jung

If you enjoy horror movies with an element of perturbing mystery, Phone is a must-watch. One of the most well-loved horror Korean movies of all time, the movie revolves around the protagonist Ji Won, who constantly receives anonymous calls.

Ji Won works as a journalist, and her latest article on a pedophilia scandal goes viral. She even receives calls from unknown people who threaten to kill her, which propels her to change her address and contact details.

Now that she has a new home and phone number, Ji Won thinks that her life will return to normal. But she becomes more troubled when she constantly gets calls from an unknown number, and to make matters worse, she begins to see a ghostly figure. 

Who is the caller, and what does the person want from Ji Won? 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPlQGnHUFAo

Video credit: 영화 예고편 365

K-pop, K-beauty, and K-dramas are probably the first few things that pop up when we mention Korea, and horror movies might not even cross your mind. But we dare you to watch a few of these Korean horror movies that will certainly change your mind and leave you wanting for more. 

Here are other Korea-related articles worth a read:

• 11 Korean dramas adapted from webtoons
• 10 Korean sweet potato recipes 
• 9 Simple Korean recipes for processed food items 
• 8 Korean folklore & urban legends
• 8 Haunted places in Korea

Cover image adapted from: IMDb , IMDb , IMDb

Article originally published on 22nd June 2020 by Samantha Chew. Last updated by Yookyung Cha on 14th Oct 2022.

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10 Best South Korean Horror Movies of All Time

Do you know what's really scary?

South Korean horror is riding a high with global cultural success in film and TV, which is in part thanks to the nation’s love of ghosts and gore. But the best South Korean horror movies go beyond modern shocks and scares.

From a nation that has dealt with war and a struggle for its own national identity over the years, horror creates a great way for South Korean filmmakers to express social commentary and other themes while hacking people to pieces.

The Best South Korean Horror Movies

10. alive (2020).

Director: Il Cho

Keeping South Korea’s run of solid zombie flicks going, Alive is another cracker. The focus is primarily on how two survivors, tucked away in their high-rise flats, communicate and exchange food and essentials and plan to find a way out while surviving the long boring days trapped without power or essentials and the lurching, waiting zombie horde.

Alive pays homage to and takes a dig at slacker culture, with the smartphone-obsessed teen anti-hero having to deal with shocking reality and the lack of his usual digital safety blanket. His skills do come in handy in surviving, using the techno-gadgets around his flat, but only as long as the batteries last.

And it comes as little surprise that one of the real villains of the piece isn’t a zombie, but just another person trying to survive, in their own twisted way.

9. The Host (2006)

Director: Bong Joon-ho

A great creature feature, The Host depicts a monster that’s created when toxic waste creates a part-squid, maybe sea lion, part-gator roaming the Han River that runs through Seoul, munching its way through the locals and becoming increasingly more brazen in its attacks.

As a counterpoint to its toothy antics, much of the movie follows a bumbling family that lives and works by the river, trying to get by as the city descends into chaos, and then forming the most bumbling rescue party ever to save their cute daughter who’s next on the menu.

Mixing comedy and horror, The Host could be South Korea’s Tremors, but has much to offer on its own with its charming local style, and paints a fantastic portrait of Korean family life during some very strange days.

8. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)

Director: Kim Jee-woon

One of the first South Korean horror films to make it to western audiences, A Tale of Two Sisters is based on an old folk tale.

The film sees the titular figures return home after one spent a year or so in a mental hospital after a traumatic incident. Settling back into the uncaring arms of her family, she brings a new friend: A ghostly entity to join in their loveless lives, sowing discord and terror.

Anyone who enjoyed The Haunting of Hill House will appreciate the craft that has gone into the production of this psychological terror, with undertones of the supernatural, all combining to a fine blend of building dread and scares. A Tale of Two Sisters is certainly a tale that keeps us hooked as the multiple personalities of the characters come out to play.

7. The Cursed: Dead Man’s Prey (2021)

Director: Yong-wan Kim

The latest effort from the pen of Yeon Sang-ho of Train to Busan fame, The Cursed: Dead Man’s Prey links to The Cursed, a popular TV series.

Dead Man’s Prey sees the dead rise to seek revenge on the living through gory murder. That’s tricky territory for reporter Im Jin-Hee, whose radio show phone-in gets a scary message about three high-ranking executive murders, except they haven’t happened yet.

Who is the puppet master taking control of the undead? And what’s with the big business that seems to be related to the series of deaths? There are plenty of questions to answer as the zombies (looking suspiciously like teens in hoodies) rage through the scenes, jumping between the paranormal and real life. Also, how do you try someone for murder who is already dead?

Cunning concepts like these and some great action sequences make The Cursed movie gripping viewing.

6. R-Point (2004)

Director: Kong Su-chang

If Americans had made this film, it would have been a gung-ho disaster. But this South Korean spooky take on the Vietnam War quite subtly manages to portray the mission of nine hard-bitten troops sent to recover a squad missing, presumed dead, from the R-Point.

With its long history of conflict and a strange temple, the R-Point is home to far more than bombs and bullets, with the claustrophobic jungle and whatever is out there, having a traumatic impact on the would-be rescuers. Soon things go way beyond their training and into the paranormal and they become their own worst enemies.

Note: the 2017 remaster is a better viewing experience than the original.

5. The Wailing (2016)

Director: Na Hong-jin

Train to Busan wasn’t the only big-hitter South Korean horror movie from 2016, but its showy zombies definitely over-shadowed this more nuanced psychological horror. Full of long scenes and deep characterization, The Wailing is about an unfortunate village where a strange curse is affecting the population.

As people start killing each other, the chilling tones and sense of menace start to dominate the tranquil scenes, but The Wailing delivers a mature and slowly-paced series of chills rather than going for the modern rush to a climax. Enjoy every scene and breathe in the atmosphere as the surprises and plot twists mount up.

4. The 8th Night (2021)

Director: Kim Tae-hyoung

Two and a half millennia ago, two demons were bound into ancient caskets to protect the world from them. But what might have been an ancient warning from Buddha is easily misread as a treasure hunt for modern historians.

Fast forward to today and the police are on the hunt for a violent mass murderer. As they have trouble seeing beyond the book, it takes a local monk to pick up his ax and rosary beads, and head into battle as he can see beyond the reality into the night and the terror that lurks, waiting to explode.

Again, The 8th Night offers a very South Korean twist on things we would expect from a western movie, with realm hopping that could be fantasy or illusion as the locals succumb to all types of dark visions and gory endings.

3. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)

Director: Jung Bum-shik

Found footage is so much better when the place under the lens is real. Enter Gonjiam, a legendary South Korean psychiatric hospital that was billed as one of the seven freakiest places on the planet, now a dank ruin.

Then ramp that up with kids planning live streams to explore the urban legends rife in such a place, and we have the recipe for some excellent jump scares as the ghosts of the asylum come to life.

Six keen young things document their exploration, and they soon start to vanish as the stark halls and medical rooms come back to life. Using the night-mode cameras to full effect, things and ghosts animate and attack, but the true horror isn’t in their inevitable demises, but perhaps from the reaction of the viewing audience tuning into the livestream and expecting more.

2. The Isle (2000)

Director: Kim Ki-duk

Famous (or infamous) for its gore to both animals and people, Roger Ebert liked The Isle and called it “…the most gruesome and quease-inducing film you are likely to have seen.” This might come as quite a surprise for those looking at the gorgeous setting of a chain of floating fishing huts around a pretty lake that are managed by the glamorous yet aloof Hee-Jin.

She saves one customer from committing suicide, triggering a series of bloody events as he becomes obsessed with her. The gore delivers maximum visual impact at a time before digital effects took over, giving some of The Isle’s scenes even more shock-value today.

Mixing the gorgeous and the brutal, director Kim Ki-Duk left nothing to the imagination, even though there are long tracts of The Isle that are silent, bar the natural background noise, letting us as the audience fill in some of the blanks. No wonder it helped build his international reputation, with plenty of brutal horror films to his name until his death in 2020.

1. Train to Busan (2016)

Any opening scene where there’s a quarantine zone around a biotech plant is a strong harbinger of doom. But what if you’re an investment manager with stock in that company? Everything will be fine, right?

Seok-Woo takes his daughter on a train to Busan to make up for his constant failures as a father and poor investment choices, but the zombies caused by that outbreak soon spread across the city. All it takes is one bitten victim to sneak onto the train, setting up relentless chases and carriage-carnage. Train to Busan uses the metal-tubes-as-meat-grinder metaphor to perfection, even better than Predator 2. With pauses in the action for a spot of class war, self-sacrifice and a great sense of redemption for some of the passengers along the way, it never misses a beat to its singalong conclusion.

Tragically, a western remake is on the way, but please don’t watch that first. Enjoy the original with its cultural nuances, and then perhaps the upcoming Hellbound on Netflix from Busan’s director.

READ NEXT: 20 Best Asian Horror Movies You Should Watch

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10 Cult Classic '80s Horror Movies That Don't Get Enough Credit

15 cheesy '80s horror movies to watch with your friends, 10 horror movie final girls who defied the typical genre tropes.

Just in case you didn't know, Asian horror puts American horror to shame, so it's time to broaden your horizons. South Korea, in particular, has emerged as a major force in the genre by practically inventing a new sub-genre of revenge-themed psychological thrillers.  Train to Busan , for example, broke records and became the country’s top-grossing films of all time (and an international hit as well).

RELATED:  10 Horror Movies That Are Also Coming Of Age Movies

Considering that South Korea didn't start churning out stellar horror films until the late '90s, their genre domination is well-deserved and nothing short of remarkable. Here are 10 of the best Korean horror movies out there.

Updated on the 15th of April, 2020 by Anastasia Maillot: With summer fast approaching, one of the primary ways in South Korea to stay cool during hot days is to stay in and watch chillingly scary horror movies.

With such a strong horror genre, it's a shame not to share some of these incredible South Korean horror movies with the world. Here are five additional titles guaranteed to give you nightmares for the next few weeks.

15. Whispering Corridors (1998)

Although Whispering Corridors is over two decades old, it's one of the cornerstones of Korean horror genre. It came out during a time where free expression was brand new in the country, and not only serves as a chilling story, but also as social commentary.

Taking place in an all girls' school which is reportedly haunted by a ghost, staff and students start to disappear into thin air following the suicide of a teacher. This is the story that started it all in Korean horror, but whether it not its mystery is solved, is for the viewer to see.

14. Don't Click (2012)

A more recent title that became extremely popular due to its modern themes, Don't Click is the story of a strange video that circulates the Internet, labeled as the "forbidden video." After main character Jung-Mi has her sister's boyfriend download the file for her, strange things begin to happen in her life.

RELATED: 10 Asian Horror Movies To Watch If You Liked The Grudge

This is a classic tip of the hat to movies like The Ring or One Missed Call , addictive and terrifying all at the same time.

13. The Red Shoes (2005)

Who doesn't love a nice pair of heels, especially when they're available for free? After Sun-Jae discovers a pair of gorgeous red high heels on the subway, she takes them with herself back home, only to find out that they have a very, very dark secret.

Based on the old fairy tale from Hans Christian Andersen, it's a dark and twisted modern story about vanity and beauty, which turns into a classic haunting.

12. Cinderella (2006)

Plastic surgery is a major topic in many Korean movies, but in  Cinderella  it's treated as an aspect of horror. A successful plastic surgeon and her daughter soon begin to witness strange things when her patients commit suicide before her daughter.

Another tale on vanity and body image, for those afraid of body horror and gore, this might be a rough one but it's terrifying all the same.

11. The Quiet Family (1998)

There's nothing scarier than living in near-total isolation of the rest of the world, and the Kang family is about to discover just that. As the entire household moves to a remote mountain location for a business, they're elated to finally get their first customer.

RELATED: 10 Obscure (But Awesome) Horror Movies You Can Stream Today On Netflix

However, as their first visitor commits suicide, the family decides to bury him without a fuss to spare themselves from bad publicity. This, unfortunately, is just the beginning in The Quiet Family .

10. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)

You might have never heard of it, but Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum has a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes , and I didn't even know that was possible! This intense and creepy "found footage" horror follows the crew of a horror web series as they travel to an abandoned asylum for a live broadcast.

As you can imagine, things get nightmarish real fast as they begin to experience unexpected terrors around every corner. If you're a fan of Paranormal Activity ,  you'll love every minute of it.

9. I Saw The Devil (2010)

I Saw The Devil   has one of the most brutal scenes of movie vengeance out there, so prepare yourself emotionally before you watch it on your own. The movie is about a secret service agent whose fiancée is brutally murdered and dismembered by a serial killer, and his decision to take his revenge through the relentless pursuit and torture of the killer.

It's dark and twisted and already has a remake in development by screenwriter Simon Barrett and director Adam Wingard, who have previously collaborated on horror films like You're Next and V/H/S .

8. Bedevilled (2010)

Bedevilled  is a brutal and beautiful psychological horror film about a woman who’s subjected to mental, physical, and sexual abuse on a remote island. The film is much more than a horror, however.

According to one film review, " The only relief from grief and suffering is bloodshed, which is exactly what we get. ‘Bedevilled’ is more than a story of a woman scorned, it’s about women’s constant struggle to find a place in the world and what happens when it is taken away from her. This is especially true for Asian cinema, as women are typically shown as more reserved and dainty, trying not to make a ripple in the ocean that is a man’s world. "

7. Phone (2002)

Phone is a South Korean horror film about ghost possession that did its rounds in international film festivals and was subsequently nominated in different categories, including Best New Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress.

RELATED:  10 Low Budget Horror Movies That Are Scarier Than The Mainstream Stuff

Although the movie title is basic enough, the plot is the complex story of an investigative journalist quite literally haunted by the constant ringing of the phone in the aftermath of an article she published. When the daughter of her friend one day answers the phone, things take a turn for the darker.

6. Death Bell (2008)

School is scary enough without high-achieving students disappearing at random and dying in grisly ways, but that's exactly what happens in Death Bell. 

As the only Korean horror film to be released in the summer of 2008, it did very well at the box office and was described by  Derek Elley of Variety  as having a " neat concept " with " enough shocks and gore to keep genre addicts contented. " This film also marks the acting debut of Nam Gyu-ri, a former singer with SeeYa.

5. The Silenced (2015)

There are a lot of underrated horror movies out there, and The Silenced is one of them. When a new girl transfers to a boarding school, several of her fellow students go missing, and her attempts to reveal the mystery behind the disappearances put her own life in danger.

A bonus: this movie is packed full of Korean history, as it's set in 1938 during the Japanese occupation. The movie has been described as "visually stunning" and "a quiet, eerie film, with all kinds of horrific twists made imaginable by its Japanese colonial period."

Despite being a solid horror film, Thirst   has been labeled as one of the sexiest horror movies of all time (for those who are into blending sexy times and gore).  

RELATED:  10 New Vampire Movies To Make You Forget About Twilight

The film, which follows a priest who is brought back to life as a vampire , won the jury prize at the Cannes Film Festival back in 2009 and made the list for "best horror movie" during the  2010 Scream Award Nominations.   Thirst is a dark, sexy love story that will scare the hell out of even the most seasoned watchers.

3. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)

A Tale of Two Sisters  isn't the newest Korean horror film, but it's certainly one of the best. The film follows two sisters who, after returning home from a mental institution, find themselves surrounded by a cruel stepmother, vengeful ghosts, and unexpected revelations about their family's dark past.

The movie became the highest-grossing Korean horror film of its time, even landing itself an American remake that was renamed The Uninvited,  starring Emily Browning  and Elizabeth Banks.

2. The Wailing (2016)

After raking in nearly $50 million at the box office, scoring a 99% on Rotten Tomatoes, and appearing on many "best horror of 2016" lists, is it any wonder that Ridley Scott is chomping at the bit to do an English re-make of South Korean horror film,  The Wailing?  

RELATED:  10 Asian Horror Movies To Watch If You Liked The Grudge

For those who haven't seen it, residents of a South Korean mountain village get hit with a deadly and mysterious disease, and it's up to a local policeman to get to the bottom of it with the help of a powerful shaman. Given that the storyline is packed full of Korean culture, toe-curling terror, and unexpected comedic relief, it's unclear whether a remake could hold a candle to the original.

1. Train To Busan (2016)

Train to Busan   has been described as one of the most underrated horror movies that only the biggest movie buffs know about , and luckily for everyone, it's available to stream on Netflix right now. At first glance, it just seems like just another basic zombie movie: virus breaks out, people struggle to get away before they become lunchmeat.

Nothing special, right? WRONG. Unlike in other zombie flicks, the character development and the acting in the film is quality and the cinematography is top notch. There's a reason it's gone on to become the 8th highest grossing Korean film of all time.

NEXT:  10 Mandatory Books for Horror Film Fans

• Horror Movies

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22 of the Best Korean Horror Movies to Watch Right Now

Did you know that a lot of American horror films are actually remakes of Korean movies? Before "The Uninvited," for instance, there was "A Tale of Two Sisters," and before "Mirrors," there was "Into the Mirror." "Train to Busan" will join the list — it's reportedly getting an American adaptation called "Last Train to New York," which is scheduled to be released sometime in 2023. While remakes often change a few details from the original films to better connect with a different audience, they mostly retain the plot and overarching themes.

From death and betrayal to revenge and lust, Korean horror films deal with some pretty intense themes. You have films like "The Wrath" and "Monstrum," which focus on gore , while other movies like "The Handmaiden" and "Oldboy" have psychological twists that send you spiraling . Some horror flicks center around creatures like zombies and vampires, while others take inspiration from terrifying urban legends, such as the man-eating Jangsan Tiger.

With such a diversity of films, there's something for every fan of the genre. Bong Joon-ho, who directed the 2006 monster film "The Host" and the 2019 thriller "Parasite," shared some wise words at the 2020 Academy Awards on this subject. While accepting the award for best foreign language film, Bong told the audience, " Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles , you will be introduced to so many more amazing films." If you're interested in exploring a different subgenre of horror films, these 22 movies from Korea will give you instant chills.

"Train to Busan"

If you love a good zombie movie, "Train to Busan" should be at the top of your watchlist. The film stars Gong Yoo ("The Silent Sea") as Seok-woo, a divorced father who buries himself in his work. He and his daughter take a trip to Busan to go see his ex-wife, and we meet a diverse cast of characters on the train, including a man named Sang-hwa and his pregnant wife Seong-kyeong, high-school basketball player Min Yong-guk and his cheerleader girlfriend Kim Jin-hee, business executive Yon-suk, and more. One of the passengers is a sick woman who turns into a zombie and bites one of the other passengers. The infection spreads like wildfire, causing complete chaos on the train.

"A Tale of Two Sisters"

"A Tale of Two Sisters" is a psychological horror film based on a Korean folktale about two sisters who are mistreated by their stepmother . The film begins with a teenage girl named Su-mi being released from a mental institution and returning to her family's home in the countryside. She reunites with her younger sister Su-yeon and her widowed father, who has gotten remarried to a woman named Eun-joo.

The sisters try their best to put up with Eun-joo for their father's sake, but just when things seem to be going back to normal, strange and inexplicable events start happening in the family's home. You won't see the film's end coming.

"The Wailing"

Soon after a stranger arrives in the village of Gokseong, a mysterious disease that causes people to become violent and kill their families begins to spread. The police initially believe this change in behavior is caused by wild mushrooms, but Officer Jong-goo begins to suspect that the newcomer could be responsible for the chaos after a woman accuses him of being a ghost. After Jong-goo's daughter gets sick, the cop goes directly to the stranger's home in the mountains to investigate. "The Wailing" has ghosts, exorcisms, and demons, making it a must-see film for horror lovers.

"The Host"

Fans of Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite" should watch his 2006 monster film, "The Host." According to the LA Times , Bong based his movie around a real-life scandal from 2000, when a U.S. military mortician ordered his employees to formaldehyde down the drain — which eventually ended up in the Han River.

The beginning of "The Host" depicts a similar incident, with Bong putting his own twist on the story: the chemicals in the river cause an amphibious creature to mutate, become violent, and kidnap a girl. The creature is also the host of a deadly virus, causing anyone who comes into contact with it to instantly fall ill.

"Monstrum"

"Monstrum" is a period film set in 1527 during the reign of King Jungjong. In the film, rumors of Monstrum, a bloodthirsty creature lurking in the mountains, run rampant. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, King Jungjong asks general Yun-kyum to form a team of hunters — including his daughter Myung, a skilled archer; his friend Sung-han; the King's messenger, Hur; and a number of other soldiers — to find out whether the beast is real. Yun-kyum soon realizes that the rumors were true, leading to a bloody confrontation with the creature.

"The Handmaiden"

Based on the 2002 novel "Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters, "The Handmaiden" is a psychological thriller set in the 1930s. The film tells the story of a con man named Count Fujiwara, who is determined to marry a wealthy Japanese woman named Izumi Hideko to obtain her fortune. His plan involves hiring pickpocket Nam Sook-hee to become Hideko's handmaiden and encourage Hideko to marry him. If his plan succeeds, Fujiwara will send Hideko to a psychiatric hospital so he can get her money. However, his plan proves to be more difficult than anticipated.

"Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum"

If you're a fan of found-footage films, you'll love "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum." The movie centers around a crew filming a web series at an abandoned psychiatric hospital rumored to be the location where a number of patients were killed by the hospital director. The crew initially fakes scary scenarios to get more views for their livestream, but the deeper they get into the building, the more disturbing and inexplicable occurrences start happening. According to a report from Movie Flicks , the haunted asylum is based on a real-life hospital where a director experimented on her patients.

"Alive"

Another zombie-apocalypse film, "Alive" centers on a video-game streamer named Oh Joon-woo who is forced to remain inside his apartment after a mysterious infection starts turning everyone into zombies. He tries to find help, but when he loses phone and internet access — and runs out of food and running water — Joon-woo's hope for survival dwindle. However, things change when he notices another survivor living in the apartment building across the street. The two meet up and cook up a plan to survive the apocalypse together.

"Killer Toon"

"Killer Toon"'s Kang Ji-yoon is a popular artist who creates horror webtoons. Shortly after she sends her latest draft to her editor, Seo Mi-sook, Ji-yoon discovers Mi-sook dead on the floor — with her face slashed in a way that looks eerily like the gruesome images in Ji-yoon's latest comic. Detectives suspect Ji-yoon as the murderer, and things get worse when another series of murders are traced back to Ji-yoon. Viewers will be on the edge of their seats as they get closer to the truth behind the mysterious killings.

"Warning: Do Not Play"

"Warning: Do Not Play" is about an up-and-coming horror-movie director named Park Mi-jung (starring Seo Ye-ji from "Lawless Lawyer") who is set on finding her next big movie idea. When Mi-jung learns about a cursed student film that was banned eight years ago, she is determined to find it, hoping it will lend her some much-needed inspiration. Her search leads her to the film's director, Kim Jae-hyun, who tells Mi-jung that she doesn't know what she's getting herself into. Mi-jung ignores his warning, of course, and finds the haunting footage.

"The Call"

In "The Call," we meet a woman named Seo-yeon who moves back into her childhood home to look after her sick mother, Eun-ae. The two don't have the best relationship, since Seo-yeon blames Eun-ae for causing the fire that killed her father years ago. While at her mother's house, Seo-yeon starts receiving calls from a woman named Young-sook, who says that she's being tortured by her adoptive mother. Seo-yeon goes to visit Young-sook's house and, upon discovering that the woman is actually living in the past, asks Young-sook to save her father from the fire. Young-sook does so — but Seo-yeon soon realizes that there's a price to pay for changing the past.

"Svaha: The Sixth Finger"

If you loved Lee Jung-jae's performance in "Squid Game," check out "Svaha: The Sixth Finger." The actor plays Pastor Park, a man who runs an organization that exposes religious cults for money. One day, his character is hired to look into a group called Dear Mount, which causes him to cross paths with Police Captain Hwang. Hwang is investigating a murder whose prime suspect is a member the cult, and the two gradually unravel the secrets behind Dear Mount.

"Oldboy"

Based on the Japanese manga of the same name, "Oldboy" stars "I Saw The Devil" actor Choi Min-sik as a man named Oh Dae-su who gets arrested for public drunkenness. His friend picks him up from the station, but as soon as he's out, Dae-su is kidnapped and imprisoned inside a hotel room. While watching TV, he learns that his wife was murdered — and that he's the prime suspect. Dae-su is kept in isolation for 15 years until he's released one day. His captor calls him and challenges him to find out the reason for his imprisonment, leading Dae-su on a wild chase to discover the identity of the mysterious figure.

"The Piper"

Set in the 1950s after the Korean War, "The Piper" centers around an injured piper named Woo-ryoung and his ill son, Young-nam. The duo are making their way to Seoul to find a doctor for Young-nam when they stumble upon a remote village, where they decided to spend the night. They realize that the village is infested with rats, and Woo-ryoung volunteers to get rid of them using his pipe in exchange for money for his son's medical fees. The deal falls through, and Woo-ryoung goes on a path of revenge.

The film is based on the "Pied Piper of Hamelin" legend, in which a man is hired to lure rats away from a small town with his pipe. When the townspeople refuse to pay him, he lures their children away as revenge.

"The Ring Virus"

Based on the Japanese novel "Ring" by Koji Suzuki, "The Ring Virus" is a heart-pounding story about a journalist named Hong Sun-joo ("Kingdom" star Bae Doona), who comes across a mysterious videotape after investigating the sudden death of her cousin. The tape contains a curse that causes anyone who watches the video to die within a week unless they fulfill certain tasks. Before Sun-joo can find out what she has to do in order to survive, the tape cuts off — leading Sun-joo on a dangerous journey to unravel the mystery behind the curse. Will she survive? You'll have to watch "The Ring Virus" to find out.

"The Wrath"

A remake of the 1986 Korean horror film "Woman's Wail," "The Wrath" portrays an orphaned young woman named Ok-bun (Apink's Son Na-eun) who is sold to a rich and powerful family to become a wife. The household is run by Lee Gyeong-jin, a high-ranking officer of the Joseon Kingdom. After two of Gyeong-jin's sons mysteriously die, Ok-bun discovers that the family is cursed. The third son impregnates Ok-bun in hopes of breaking the curse, but his plan fails. Ok-bun is forced to navigate the haunted house while dealing with her evil mother-in-law, Lady Shin. Warning: "The Wrath" gets really gruesome, so it's not for the faint of heart.

"Thirst"

Fans of director Park Chan-wook's "The Handmaiden" and "Oldboy" will likely also enjoy his horror film "Thirst." The movie centers on a respected priest named Sang-hyun, who volunteers to participate in an experiment in order to find a cure for a deadly virus. The experiment goes wrong, and Sang-hyun catches the disease and dies. He's miraculously brought back to life after undergoing a blood transfusion — but the procedure turns him into a vampire. Sang-hyun questions his faith as he deals with his newfound bloodlust as well as his attraction to a woman named Tae-ju (who also happens to be his friend's wife).

"Bedevilled"

"Bedevilled" follows a woman named Hae-won, who decides to travel to the island of Mudu in order to visit her childhood friend Bok-nam. We learn that Bok-nam is living in an abusive household, and that the only thing that keeps her going is her love for her daughter, Yeon-hee. When Bok-nam begins to suspect that her husband, Man-jong, is sexually abusing Yeon-hee, she begs Hae-won for help. Hae-won refuses to get involved, forcing Bok-nam to try to escape on her own with Yeon-hee.

Bok-nam gets caught by her husband, who tries to punish her. Yeon-hee intervene and is accidentally killed by Man-jong, who pins Yeon-hee's death on his wife. Bok-nam snaps and sets out to kill everyone on the island — including Hae-won, whom she blames for Yeon-hee's death.

"Into the Mirror"

"Into the Mirror" is one of the most chilling Korean horror films you'll come across. It centers around a former policeman named Woo Young-Min, who quits his job after inadvertently causing the death of his partner during a hostage situation. He begins working for his uncle as the head of security at a shopping mall. Things take a turn, however, when a number of the mall's employees are found dead. The police suspect a serial killer, but Young-Min discovers that the deaths may be linked to a parallel word inside mirrors.

"The Mimic"

"The Mimic" is based on the Korean urban legend of the Jangsan Tiger , a man-eating creature with sharp teeth and white fur that lives near the mountain of Jangsan. The creature lures people to their deaths by making a sound that resembles a woman's scream.

In the film, people begin disappearing in the woods after hearing the voices of their dead loved ones. The movie follows a woman named Hee-yeon; her husband, Min-ho; and their daughter, Joon-hee. The couple's son, Jun-seo, mysteriously disappeared five years ago. Still traumatized by their loss, Hee-yeon sees Jun-seo walking alone at night — but it turns out to be a mysterious girl, whose name is also Joon-hee and who sounds just like Hee-yeon's daughter.

"I Saw the Devil"

"I Saw the Devil" is a 2010 thriller starring "Oldboy"'s Choi Min-sik. Choi plays a bus driver named Kyung-chul, who is secretly a serial killer. One night, he offers to help fix a pregnant woman's flat tire after she's stranded on the road and ends up beating her, decapitating her, and throwing her remains into a river. After her head is found, the woman's fiancé, an agent for the National Intelligence Service, is determined to find her killer and make him pay.

"The Red Shoes"

Based on the classic fairytale of the same name, "The Red Shoes" follows a divorced mother named Sun-jae, who moves into an apartment with her daughter, Tae-su. While riding the subway one day, Sun-jae finds a pair of bright-pink heels and decides to take them home. What she doesn't realize is that the shoes are cursed and cause those around it to become greedy. Sun-jae's best friend, Kim Mi-hee, becomes affected by the shoes and steals them, only to die shortly afterward. Sun-jae tries to get rid of the shoes, but she soon discovers that they follow her wherever she goes.

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When you watch or read a detective or a horror story, there's always an invisible line of stupidity that the protagonist/detective/meat puppet cannot cross before you stop wanting to suspend your disbelief. South Korean horror-mystery hybrid "The Wailing" crosses that line several times, but somehow remains effectively atmospheric. This sounds like an impossible task given how oafish Sergeant Jong-gu (Do Won Kwak) is throughout his investigation of a mysterious series of infections/deaths that plagues the mountainous village of Gokseong. In his search for answers, Jong-gu does many things that will make you tear your hair out. 

The same is thankfully not true of writer/director Hong-jin Na ("The Yellow Sea," " The Chaser ") and his tendency of overdoing everything. There are no small melodramatic plot developments in "The Wailing," only a steady stream of major ones. For example: it's always raining in this film (usually thunderstorms, too), and victims are almost always covered in mud, dirt, blood and sweat. Na ruthlessly works viewers over with these shock-and-awe tactics, but he does it so well that I can't really complain given his film's cacophonous, but satisfyingly ambiguous ending. Still, and I repeat this for good measure: "The Wailing" can be very, very dumb.

A series of gore-drenched slayings hits home for Jong-gu, a slow-witted cop in a small town, when he discovers that his daughter Hyo-jin (Hwan-hee Kim) has become afflicted by, well, whatever is killing his fellow townsfolk. Jong-gu is, as the first hour or so suggests, completely out of his depth. At this point in the film, Na mines his story for black humor, and wins viewers over by making Jong-gu look like a lovable screw-up. He's confronted with a mountain of bodies, an evil foreigner with a cabin-full of creepy photos, and plague-like omens that manifest in the form of dead ravens, a rock-chucking mute and portentous dreams. 

This portion of the film is full of implausible plot twists, one of the least interesting things to write about when it comes to horror/mystery movies. After all, so many of the best genre films cannot be held accountable to a strict, literal relationship with reality. Still, there are a lot of things about Jong-gu's investigation that not only make him look rock-stupid, but also make the rest of the film's events look braindead by association. 

To be fair: there is a supernatural element to the film, and viewers are ultimately left wondering if characters are genuinely being afflicted by something beyond the realm of rational thought. But within the detective/mystery portion of "The Wailing," there are a lot of unanswered questions. For example, Jong-gu is a cop, but he doesn't arrest the above-mentioned Japanese stranger ( Jun Kunimura ) even after he discovers photographs, and creepy ritual totems littering the stranger's Unabomber-style forest cabin. Nobody oversees Jong-gu's investigation, so nobody tells him how to fact-find or gather evidence. Instead, there's just a bunch of random events spurred on by Jong-gu's anger and curiosity. And it's not just Jong-gu whose actions are questionable. You have to wonder: Why didn't that other character say something? Where did that secondary character disappear to? What's she thinking when he says that? Who's in charge here?

That last question is, despite some ludicrous plot developments, the question of the film. It may be that much harder to accept that characters behave in an unbelievable way throughout "The Wailing," especially when faced with perils as dire as a seemingly possessed/heavily afflicted child, and a mountain of corpses. But once the film becomes a demonic-possession-type horror film, "The Wailing" makes a lot more sense. 

Unlike " The Exorcist ," Na's film periodically asks viewers to realize, or at least question, what they would do in the face of such oppressively overwhelming evidence. Jong-gu sees his daughter in pain, and hires a traditional Korean shaman (Jung-min Hwang) to help get rid of her affliction. The scene where the shaman tries to exorcise Hyo-jin is intense, and not just because it's appropriately loud. Na paces and visualizes events with a perceptive eye for detail. He films every scene as if it were a set piece, and makes every plot point feel climactic. You cannot help but feel as worn out as Jong-gu does. It may be impossible to turn off your brain while watching "The Wailing," but that makes the film's visceral charms that much more admirably vexing. 

Simon Abrams

Simon Abrams is a native New Yorker and freelance film critic whose work has been featured in  The New York Times ,  Vanity Fair ,  The Village Voice,  and elsewhere.

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Best Korean Horrors on Netflix in 2021

Some of the best horrors that Netflix has had to offer in recent years have come from South Korea. From flesh-eating hordes of zombies to monstrous entities, below is the full list of the best Korean horrors on Netflix in 2021.

Thanks to the likes of movies like Train to Busan , and television series such as Kingdom , the West has a growing appetite for South Korean horror. Netflix has huge a huge part to play in the west’s consumption of South Korean media, but especially for horror, which to this day continues to be some of the most popular content on Netflix.

N = Netflix

Please Note: The list of titles below has been taken from the Netflix US library. In your country, there may be more or less Korean horror titles ready to stream.

Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021) N

Director:  Kim Sung Hoon Runtime: 92 Minutes | Sub-Genre: Zombies Cast:  Jun Ji Hyun, Kim Shi Ah, Park Byung Eun, Kim Roe Ha, Ji Hyun Joon

After losing her family and village as a child, Ashin’s quest for vengeance sets her on the path which will bring the Joseon dynasty and all of Korea to its knees.

Kingdom (2 Seasons) N

Seasons:  2 |  Episodes:  12 Runtime: 45 Minutes | Sub-Genre: Zombies Cast:  Joo Ji Hoon, Ryu Seung Ryong, Bae Doona, Kim Sung Gyu, Kim Chan Yi

Exiled from the court, Crown Prince Lee Chang investigates the origins of a mysterious and deadly virus that raises the dead and turns them into ravenous flesh-eating monsters.

#Alive (2020) N

Director:  Il Cho Runtime: 98 Minutes | Sub-Genre: Zombies Cast:  Yoo Ah In, Park Shin Hye, Jeon Bae Soo, Lee Hyun Wook, Oh Hye Won

Full-time streamer Oh Joon Woo witnesses the chaotic scenes of a zombie outbreak around his apartment home. With few supplies, and cut off from the outside world, he is trapped within his apartment. His salvation comes in the form of fellow survivor Kim Yoo Bin, an equally trapped survivor on the opposite side of the apartment complex.

The 8th Night (2021)

Director: Kim Tae-hyung Runtime: 115 Minutes | Sub-Genre: Paranormal Cast: Lee Sung Min, Park Jae Hoon,  Kim Yoo Jung, Nam Da Reum, Kim Dong Young

Over two millennia ago, two mysterious beings wreaking havoc upon the populace by tormenting humans were locked away in caskets. Thousands of years later, the beings awaken and attempt to reclaim their lost forms. It’s up to monk Cheong Seok, and exorcist Park Jin-soo to stop the evil creatures, and save the world.

Sweet Home (Season 1) N

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 10 Runtime: 52 Minutes | Sub-Genre: Monsters Cast: Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Si Young, Lee Do Hyun, Kim Nam Hee

After being bullied incessantly, high school student Cha Hyun Soo becomes a recluse, and after losing his family, moves into a new apartment. When a strange phenomenon results in horrifying monsters arising intent on killing all humans. In order to survive, all of the humans remaining in the apartment block must work together.

The Guest (1 Season)

Seasons:  1 |  Episodes:  16 Runtime: 67 Minutes | Sub-Genre: Paranormal Cast:  Kim Dong Wook, Kim Jae Wook, Jung Eun Chae, Lee Won Jong, Park Ho San

Yoon Hwa Pyung, a young psychic born into a shaman family, learns of the great evil demon “Son.” With the power to possess other demons, and weak-minded people, the demon is a grave threat to anyone it comes in contact with. In a fateful encounter, Hwa Pyung meets a young Catholic boy, Choi Yoon, after both of their families are massacred by the demon. Twenty years later, the demon resurfaces, and together Hwa Pyung and Choi Yoon are determined to destroy it.

Goedam (Season 1)

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 8 Runtime: 10 Minutes | Sub-Genre: Paranormal Cast: Song Chae Yun, Seola, Jang Won Hyuk, Kim Ye Ji, Jung Young Ki

When night falls upon the city, the shadows and spirits of urban legends descend upon wayward souls.

Strangers From Hell (Season 1)

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 10 Runtime: 60 Minute | Sub-Genre: Psychological

Moving from the countryside to Seoul to take up his friend’s job offer, Yoon Jong Woo finds himself taking up temporary residence at a cheap hostel. Not very thrilled by the conditions of his new home, Jong Woo intends to move out in six months’ time, eager to get away from his new neighbors that he begins to fear.

Bring It On, Ghost (Season 1)

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 16 Runtime: 60 Minutes | Sub-Genre: Romantic Comedy Cast: OK Taec Yeon, Kim So Hyun, Kwon Yool, Kim Sang Ho, Lee David

College student Park Bong Pal has had the ability for years to see and hear ghosts, eventually learning he can touch and fight them. Whenever Bong Pal is short of cash he offers his services as an exorcist for hire. One night while on an exorcism, Bong Pal clashes with the ghost of a high school student who has been dead for five years, but when the pair accidentally kiss during the fight sparks fly, and their lives are changed forever.

What is your favorite Korean horror movie or television show? Let us know in the comments below!

Jacob joined What's on Netflix in 2018 as a fulltime writer having worked in numerous other industries until that point. Jacob covers all things Netflix whether that's TV or movies but specializes in covering new anime and K-dramas. Resides in Norwich in the United Kingdom.

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The 20 Most Underrated Korean Horror Movies of All Time

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Cult Classic 90s Horror Movie Set for Jack Black & Paul Rudd Reimagining

10 film noir remakes that did justice to the original, 10 indie superhero movies to watch if you're tired of marvel and dc.

The horror genre has a different group of fans, since it is not for everyone. Naturally, you might think this list is for those who are already familiar with this genre and has gone through the infamous A24 horrors, Peele's horrors, and other horror classics. But, this list is also a great way for any new horror fans, since everybody should give this genre a chance. Either way, whether you are new to this genre or not, one thing you might be familiar with, or have heard, is that South Korea has released some of the best horror films ever. From Train to Busan to A Tale of Two Sisters , it is undeniable that Korean horror films can be quite intense, in turn, ensuring that the films do justice to the genre.

To further explore the horror category, we highly recommend this list. Some of these films might sound familiar, but they enter this list as a reminder that they are still very much underrated. In fact, when compared to the large array of horror films, the titles below deserve much more recognition simply because of their unique approach to the field and because of the positive reaction of their viewers.

The Host (2006)

Directed by Bong Joon-ho, who is known for his award-winning thriller, Parasite , The Host is not a hidden title, but it is a film that should be receiving more fame than it has already garnered. With Song Kang-ho, whom you might remember from Parasite and Taxi Driver , taking over the lead role, the story focuses on a creature that starts terrorizing the people following a chemical spill into the Han River. With Kang-ho portraying Park Gang-du, a father and a son but a misfit, the film centers around his losses while acting as a political satire .

So, even if The Host has a monster terrorizing the people, the emotional pain that comes with losing those close to you allows it to heighten the horror elements. Of course, given that the film is by Joon-ho, you can expect a lot of hidden meanings, in turn, making it a film that delves deep into the viewers' horrors.

Related: The 35 Best Horror Movies of All Time, Ranked

The Call (2020)

Here is a film that appears to have a "happy" ending but ends up twisting your hopes. The Call follows the interaction between Kim Seo-yeon (Park Shin-hye), a young woman living in the present, struggling with the loss of her father and her deteriorated relationship with her mother, and Oh Young-sook (Jeon Jong-seo), a girl from 1999, who used to live in Seo-yeon's present home until she was killed by her step-mother.

Everything starts with a call and what the viewer witnesses is a friendship between these two characters that ultimately results in a chain of murders by the latter. It is the ending of The Call that is truly horrifying, since the viewers are left with a situation that is worse than the beginning. It is a must-watch for another who is a fan of films that gives a dark meaning to "be careful what you wish for".

I Saw The Devil (2010)

This horror-thriller is yet another film about a serial killer and the revenge scheme of his latest victim's partner. I Saw The Devil can be quite grotesque and will keep you on your toes because its main focus is a game of torture, both mental and physical, between Jang Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik), the serial killer, and Kim Soo-hyun (Lee Byung-hun), the NIS agent whose pregnant wife was brutally murdered by the former. Rather than getting rid of Kyung-chil, Soo-hyun attempts to make his life a nightmare.

However, things take a turn when Kyung-chul outsmarts him. That is, until Soo-hyun regains the upper hand. In a way, the whole process of tormenting Kyung-chul is Soo-hyun's way of coping with grief. This is proven when he ultimately breaks down following Kyung-chul's death.

The Closet (2020)

If you are a fan of films from The Conjuring universe, The Grudge , or Insidious , then this will be a fascinating watch. However, this particular film is a lighter version of the aforementioned horror films. The Closet takes a similar approach to the usual ghost stories with possessions and spirits from the underworld, but its main focus is the protagonist, Sang-won's (Ha Jung-woo) process of finding his daughter and his character development that occurs through this journey.

It starts off with Sang-won's distanced relationship with her daughter, Yi-na (Heo Yool), which was caused following his wife's death. Thus, they move to a new house where Yi-na ends up finding a new but insidious friend which ultimately ends up opening the horror elements in the film. For someone who is new to the horror genre, this would be perfect.

The Mimic (2017)

Yet another film on trauma and grief, here we have a mother who cannot get over her missing son. The family relocates to a distant place near a forest which has become a backdrop of many missing people's cases. Following this relocation, they have a visitor, a little girl who looks exactly like their daughter and sounds like her too. However, things take a turn when it is revealed that the girl is not who she says she is.

The Mimic 's inspiration stems from the Korean urban legend of the Jangsan Tiger , which is about a creature that lures people by mimicking their voices. This in itself might strike an interest in the viewers since the film comes with many twists and turns, especially at the end when everything seems to have settled but what actually happens is the seeming loss of the protagonist.

The Piper (2015)

This is a twisted and very gruesome version of the already dark Pied Piper of Hamelin story. The Piper takes place in the 1950s, after the Korean War, in a secluded village where the Chief has been manipulating and brainwashing the villagers by creating the illusion that the war is still being continued and thus, their safe haven is this village. That's when our protagonist, Woo-ryong (Ryu Seung-ryong) enters with his sick son.

What follows is the story we already know with the added twists of Woo-ryong's son's death, a village shaman and the ultimate death of the adults of the village. The focus on the themes of corruption, betrayal and revenge is what allows this 2015 film to combine the horror elements with social issues.

The Wailing (2016)

A horror movie that makes you think, question certain aspects and that comes with many twists and turns is a horror movie that is definitely worth watching. The Wailing will bring you exactly that. The story follows a village that gets infected by some unseen force. The force makes the infected people go on a murdering rampage. However, the terror lies on the fact that the protagonist, as well as his group, are finding it difficult to figure out who is behind these happenings.

Thus, the viewers find it difficult to confirm whether it is the woman in white, Moo-Myung (Chun Woo-hee), that is the demon or the unnamed Japanese stranger (Jun Kunimura). That is, until the very end. This shift between these two characters leads to the successful ending that comes with a major twist. You might not get a happy ending, but it is definitely a satisfying one.

Bedevilled (2010)

Bedevilled is not your ordinary horror film, since its horror stems from real social issues. The protagonist's, Bok-nam (Seo Young-hee), story and anger might resemble the many stories of victim-survivors of sexual assault, domestic abuse, and sexism. The story focuses on the way in which Bok-nam endures all the mistreatment she faces until the murder of her daughter. This event causes her to go on a murder rampage.

At the same time, we also see how her apathetic friend, Hae-won (Ji Sung-won) not only refuses to help but becomes another perpetrator of this abuse. This film will make you think about your own actions and behavior as a spectator.

Don’t Click (2012)

For the fans of Ringu , this particular 2012 film might be interesting. In a way, Don't Click is like a more modern version of Ringu . The film revolves around a series of cursed clips which continues to record the deaths of its victims. As the title suggests, if you click and view the video, you will be cursed, and a spirit will haunt you until your death. It is later revealed that the curse was a result of a daughter who lost her father and her mother and was also bullied due to a recorded video that portrays her father as a harasser.

Don't Click might not have a very unique storyline, but it is definitely another scary watch that will make you think twice before clicking on some random video.

Hansel and Gretel (2007)

This particular film might be a bit more colorful than your general horror film, but it still includes a sinister storyline and some dark themes. With bits and pieces taken from the infamous Hansel and Gretel story, this movie focuses on three children who "kidnap" people by luring them to their home. What follows afterward, is the ultimate demise of these people. It is later revealed that this was a result of these children having been abused at their orphanage.

Thus, they look at adults with mistrust. Except for the protagonist, Lee Eun-soo (Chun Jung-myung). Hansel and Gretel have a more positive ending. So, it is definitely perfect for anyone who wants a dark story without too many scares.

Killer Toon (2013)

If you are not new to the Korean entertainment field, then you might already be familiar with webtoons. This satirical psychological film mixes horror with the concept of webtoons and brings a story where the protagonist, Kang Ji-yoon (Lee Si-young) is haunted by a situation where art imitates life. So, she ends up witnessing deaths that are very much a replica of her horror webtoons.

The film also includes familiar faces like Um Ki-joon, Hyun Woo​​​​​​​ and Moon Ga-young, but it is the unique approach to the horror genre by mixing it with a field that is already popular in the Korean entertainment industry that makes the film so appealing to both horror fans and new-horror fans.

The Doll Master (2004)

This 2004 horror film might not have the best cinematography, but it is dark in its own way. The film revolves around dolls and how they have souls. It's more biased towards the themes of revenge and revelations and includes many twists and turns. However, the most interesting element of The Doll Master is its storyline, which goes on to invoke the idea of hatred passed down through generations. Overall, this film is grotesque and includes gothic elements and even with its not-so-great cinematic route, you will find a fascinating plot with interesting characters.

Related: The 10 Best Horror Movies of 2023 (So Far), Ranked by Rotten Tomatoes

Death Bell (2008)

Perhaps you can call Death Bell a film with many classical horror elements that follows a plot line involving murders, revenge, and the revelation of a corrupt system. The film focuses on a series of tests that a group of students has to face. However, their failure in these tests means the death of a classmate. All is done to find the murderer of a student who actually worked hard to get into a so-called elite group but was killed since she found out how bribery cast her down.

The film might be a brutal watch since the murder scenes involve some barbaric methods, but for anyone who is a fan of body horror , this film is a must-watch.

Whispering Corridors 2: Memento Mori (1999)

The second installment of the Whispering Corridors film series, this 1999 horror movie takes place in a girls' high school and focuses on the taboo surrounding LGBTQIA+ relationships . With this taboo being the driving mechanism behind a story filled with revenge and hatred, the film takes an unusual storytelling format.

Yes, it is about a relationship between two girls that ends with one of them dead and yes, the dead comes back to haunt everyone who bullied her, but a third girl enters the scene as a storyteller of sorts. The inclusion of a diary that reveals the nature of the relationship while acting as a medium between the dead, you will end up watching something quite bizarre.

Thirst (2009)

With Song Kang-ho taking over the role of the protagonist, Sang-hyun, a Catholic priest who becomes a vampire following a failed experiment, Thirst might seem to be following the usual Dracula or Vampire storyline approach. However, the key difference is that the protagonist in this film seems to be more empathetic and tries his best to avoid causing harm. In a nutshell, Thirst has a very simple storyline but with the addition of guilt, fear, lust and ultimately, attempts at redemption.

It plays around with the typical tropes, since it is the Catholic priest who becomes both the vampire and the savior.

The Divine Fury (2019)

One very obvious reason why this film has garnered much attention is because of Park Seo-joon's role as Yong-hoo. Yong-hoo is introduced as a successful MMA fighter who has developed a negative perception of God, as he blames Him for not helping him during his parents' death. However, things change when Yong-hoo is granted a power of sorts that allows him to perform successful exorcisms that take away a developing evil force .

The Divine Fury will include the familiar elements of priests, exorcisms, devils and more, but the addition of action and the character arc of the protagonist has brought it to this list.

The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion (2018)

This film might remind you of the X-Men series , simply because of the mutants. However, these mutants were developed in laboratories, trained to kill and fight and with little to no emotions. The best part is that The Witch: Part 1 . The Subversion comes with a huge plot twist. Our protagonist, Ja-yoon (Kim Da-mi) is introduced as a victim of these experiments who escapes after a violent attack in the lab. She leads a normal life until the members of the lab track her down and attempt to kidnap her.

That is, until it is revealed that she is not as innocent as she seems to be. This film is followed by a sequel, but the first part enters this list simply because of its shocking twists, the horror elements of suspense and, of course, the action.

Hide and Seek (2013)

Yet another film with many plot twists, Hide and Seek will definitely make you think about your safety, your neighbors, and everything surrounding your life. The film comes with some symbolic elements, in turn, dropping hints from the beginning. However, what makes it quite interesting is how the unexpected takes you with surprise. Hide and Seek is, in a way, focuses on the social hierarchy and how obsessive we can be with materialist lifestyles.

It makes you think of how far some can be willing to go to attain the so-called luxury living. The film might remind you of Parasite , even if the two carry different approaches in delivering the message on the social hierarchy and guilt.

White: Melody of Death (2011)

While the storyline of haunted tapes is not quite unusual in the horror genre, the combination of it with a more realistic theme like the brutality and the corruption within the idol world, specifically the K-pop world, might be an interesting take. That is exactly what White: Melody of Death does. It invokes themes of bullying, the replacement of idols and even the overshadowing of actually talented people by those with power. It is a story of revenge, but also one that illustrates the power fame holds. Given the current discourse surrounding HBO's The Idol , this film might be a refreshing watch.

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)

With the former Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital as the backdrop to the film, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum follows a series of paranormal activities and focuses on a group that tries to live stream these hauntings of the place. Interestingly, the former Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital is considered one of the freakiest places in the world by CNN , so, obviously, it will give the chills. Another interesting element of this film is its focus on the present generation's obsession with live-streaming and gaining viewer counts, even if it means putting oneself at risk. For any horror lover, this film is a must-watch.

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Stream It Or Skip It: ‘The Call’ On Netflix, A Twisty, Bloody South Korean Thriller With Stellar Performances

Where to stream:.

• The Call (2020)
• Stream It Or Skip It

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With flicks like #Alive , Train to Busan , and The Wailing ,  South Korean horror continues to put out some top-quality titles. The latest entry in the genre is  The Call,  a twisty time travel slasher thriller now streaming on Netflix. Starring #Alive star Park Shin-hye and  Burning star Jong-seo Jun,  The Call  has is armed with a talented cast and intriguing premise. We’re here to tell you if it’s one worth answering, or if you’re better off sending it straight to voicemail. 

THE CALL : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?

The Gist: In the wake of her mother’s cancer diagnosis , Seo-yeon (Park Shin-hye) returns to her hometown and moves into her childhood home. Seo-yeon blames her mother for her father’s death, believing that she left the gas on one day and caused the house fire that killed him, so their relationship is less than perfect. Soon after moving back home, Seo-yeon begins to receive calls on the house phone from a young woman begging for help as her stepmother tries to kill her. She is Young-sook (Jeon Jong-seo), a 28-year-old being tortured by her “shaman” mother. She also just so happens to live in 1999. The two women begin to develop a relationship over a series of calls, and when Seo-yeon realizes that Young-sook may be able to prevent her father’s death, she asks her for a life-altering favor – and it works. Seo-yeon’s whole life is made better and more beautiful by her father’s survival, and she gets caught up in it all, letting her relationship with Young-sook fall by the wayside – but only for a short while.

When Seo-yeon discovers that Young-sook is about to get murdered by her stepmother during an exorcism, she intervenes, inadvertently changing everything – and affecting tons of lives – in the process. Young-sook is in fact the mentally deranged murderer her stepmother believed she would become (and was trying to prevent). Young-sook delights in bloodshed and taking lives, and when her freedom is threatened, she takes things to the next level. Seo-yeon must now race against the clock to save herself and others from the monster she created, and each twist and turn is more shocking than the last.

What Movies Will It Remind You Of?:   With a good blend of sci-fi and slasher components,  The Call  hits the sweet spot for lovers of serial killer flicks, tight thrillers, and twisty science fiction.

Performance Worth Watching: Jong-seo Jun is magnificent as Young-sook, taking us on a twisty journey that begins with deep sympathy for her horrifying situation and ends with pure loathing and terror. She’s convincing in both her quieter moments and her more maniacal outbursts, masterfully drawing out all the thrills and chills you could hope for with a movie of this nature. A role like this easily could be played in a much campier manner and lose its power, but Jong-seo Jun knows when to keep her contained and when to let it rip, and boy, does she.

Sex and Skin: None.

Our Take:  It’s rare that a thriller or slasher is able to do anything super innovative these days, which makes  The Call  all the more delightful (in a dark, demented way, of course). The combination of the time travel concept with the slasher and thriller components really work, despite all the ways it could potentially go wrong. The Call spends a lot of time establishing Seo-yeon’s world and her mental state, taking an effective slow burn approach that allows the intrigue and tension to build in a truly unsettling fashion. Things start pretty innocuously; at first, it seems like Seo-yeon and Young-sook’s connection could be some beautiful, important thing, a friendship that might help them both through their unique situations. Any quaint notions about this relationship are violently squashed, however, when the true nature of it all is revealed, and it’s thrilling to watch it all unfold.

In addition to having an original storyline,  The Call  also boasts some gorgeous, eerie production design and is full of interesting camerawork. These visuals are balanced beautifully with the strength of the performers, who fully embrace the wide spectrum of emotions required for their roles. The entire cast is great, but the two leading ladies – Park Shin-hye and Jong-seo Jun – truly carry  The Call . They spend very little time on screen physically together, but they’re the perfect foils for one another, solidifying their bond – an immensely strong one, for better or worse – from the very beginning. Park Shin-hye established her star power in #Alive and it’s so exciting to see her take on an even bigger, more complex role this time around. It’d be nice to see her become a Netflix staple – she really is totally magnetic.

If you’re someone who needs answers to every single question,  The Call  may be frustrating for you, but it’s worth setting aside the need for allllll the information to enjoy a truly fresh flick. A strong contender for one of the best original thrillers the streamer has ever put out, The Call  is entertaining, emotional, and extremely bloody, one bound to make more than a few year-end lists (even with its negligible plot holes).

Our Call:  STREAM IT. With an original concept, chilling kills, and stunning performances, The Call  is more than worth picking up.

Should you stream or skip the South Korean thriller #TheCall on @netflix ? #SIOSI #TheCallonNetflix — Decider (@decider) December 2, 2020

Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski .

Stream  The Call  on Netflix

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Review: k-movie “the call” is a chilling and suspenseful murder mystery.

Park Shin-hye and Jeon Jong-seo star in Korean thriller “The Call,” which now streams on Netflix.

By Anthony Kao , 1 Dec 20 07:27 GMT

How do you stop a killing in the past? That’s the central challenge of The Call , Netflix’s latest Korean film acquisition. Featuring leading starlet Park Shin-hye and rising actress Jeon Jong-seo, this thriller depicts two women who become connected across time periods through a mysterious landline telephone. When the woman of the past starts on a serial killing spree, the woman of the present must take action before it’s too late.

Even if it doesn’t aspire to push filmmaking boundaries or provide philosophical musings, the movie is a solid piece of entertainment that doesn’t feel trite, even with the preponderance of time travel murder mysteries . Through effective world-building and acting, The Call creates a distinctively chilling and suspenseful vibe that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats until its very last moments.

[ Read: The 13 Best Korean Horror Movies ]

Telephone Time Travel

The Call begins with a young woman named Kim Seo-yeon (Park Shin-hye) getting dropped off at an ornate countryside house with creepy gothic vibes. After getting situated, Seo-yeon hears the rings of a clunky landline telephone. She picks it up, and hears the pleading cries of another young woman named Oh Young-sook (Jeon Jong-seo), who insists that her shaman mother is trying to kill her. Seo-yeon soon realizes that Oh Young-sook lived in the same house two decades ago, and the landline somehow allows the two women to connect across time.

In spite of Young-sook’s abusive shaman mother, Seo-yeon and Young-sook begin to form a bond. However, when a warning from Seo-yeon leads Young-sook to kill her mother and embark on a murder spree, Seo-yeon realizes that she may have opened a time-traversing Pandora’s Box with bloody—and personal—consequences.

[ Read: The 11 Best Korean Dramas on Netflix ]

Gothic Shamanistic Vibes

Time-travel murder mysteries aren’t exactly novel. The Call is actually adapted from a Puerto Rican-British film named The Caller ; Hollywood makes many instances of the subgenre. Superfans of Korean media might also feel that The Call evokes hit K-drama Signal , which featured a walkie talkie that allowed a detective in 1985 to communicate with a criminal profiler in 2015.

Despite this, The Call avoids feeling formulaic—especially for global audiences—by building a chilling world that blends reliable horror elements with Korean tradition. The house that much of the film takes place in looks a lot like your classic Western haunted house, with gothic architectural elements like hood moulds and a creepy basement to boot. As expected for a horror-tinged thriller, dark colors dominate the movie’s palette, and much of the action takes place using artificial lighting or in low light.

However, The Call goes beyond those standard horror expectations by bringing in a distinctive Korean flair. For example, one scene has Young-sook stuff a clump of tendrily seaweed into her mouth and gnaw like a deranged cthulhu . This chilling use of Korean cuisine certainly wouldn’t occur in a Hollywood horror film. Furthermore, Young-sook’s mother performs exorcisms that draw from traditional Korean shamanism—which has been enjoying a renaissance in the 21st century and influenced numerous Korean movies . Reminiscent of Park Chan-wook’s The Handmaiden , The Call blends “Western” visuals with distinctive Korean context to create a distinctively foreboding vibe.

[ Read: Korean Movie “The Shaman Sorceress” Explores Clashes Between Competing Faiths ]

Acting and Suspense

Beyond worldbuilding, The Call also features an outstanding performance from Jeon Jong-seo. This is particularly notable given Jeon’s only prior acting role was as Hae-mi, the female lead of Lee Chang-dong’s critically acclaimed film Burning .

Jeon plays Young-sook with a degree of intense unhingedness that not only contributes to The Call ’s chilling vibes, but keeps audiences guessing about what she might do next. Young-sook toggles seamlessly between victim and manipulator, crying to Seo-yeon on the phone in one moment and incapacitating victims with fire extinguisher blasts in the next. The fact that Young-sook is such a contrast from the rather carefree Hae-mi of Burning speaks positively to Jeon’s range as an actress.  Coupled with a well-crafted narrative that incorporates ample twists, Jeon’s acting gives The Call a constant current of electrifying suspense that lasts even into its post-credit scenes.

While The Call may not have the same philosophical aura as other Korean thrillers like I Saw the Devil , that probably wasn’t the film’s intent. When judged as a blockbuster, The Call is a solid piece of work. Its chilling visuals, suspenseful plot, and compelling acting should please anybody with a thirst for thrilling murder mysteries.

The Call (Korean: 콜) – South Korea. Dialog in Korean. Directed by Lee Chung-hyun. Running time 1hr 52min. First released November 27, 2020. Starring Park Shin-hye, Jeon Jong-seo. 

The Call is available for streaming on Netflix worldwide .

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