10 Horror K-Dramas That Will Haunt You Long After Watching

Nobody quite does horror like Korea. They have such a knack for combining utter terror with believable characters and real emotion to create some incredible series.

Check out our list of the 10 that will stay with you, especially when you are alone at night.

1. The Guest

IMDB rating 8.1/10

The forces of evil are committing crimes and who can the world turn to? A psychic, a priest, and a detective, of course. This one feels like a wonderful mix of modern and old-school horror. And you will remember the supernatural terrors for a long time after watching.

2. Hellbound

IMDB rating 6.6/10

Not the highest rating for a K-drama, and admittedly not one of the best. But if you want to be scared out of your wits, then make sure you check out Hellbound. The characters face being told exactly when they are going to die, which is scary on its own. Add to that the fact that the predictions are all true and an angel of death appears to kill them at the right moment and you have real terror.

3. Monstrous

IMDB rating 5.7/10

Another low scorer, but that seems to be common for horror-themed shows. Critics just do not seem to enjoy them as much as the audience. Monstrous focuses on the discovery of a large Buddha statue buried in a small town. The Buddha is a sacred symbol of peace and love. What could go wrong? Plenty. Because this particular statue was buried for a very good reason. It contains a horrible curse that eats people's souls!

4. Island

IMDB rating 6.9/10

Who remembers the touching scene in Squid Game where North Korean defector Kang spoke of her dream of going to Jeju Island? Long considered Korea’s answer to Hawaii, fans may view it very differently after watching Island. You see, in this show, Jeju Island is home to abhorrent evil that terrorizes everyone there. Hardly the paradise Kang had us imagining.

5. The Silent Sea

IMDB rating 6.9/10

The Silent Sea takes horror to outer space when a group of explorers go to the moon and find something they did not expect. An abandoned research facility containing deadly and horrifying secrets. The more they learn, the more they do not want to know. And as we, the audience, go on this journey with them, we feel every moment of fear.

6. Kingdom

IMDB rating 8.3/10

Kingdom takes us back in time to the Joseon period. After his father dies of smallpox, the Crown Prince is tasked with saving his people from a strange, deadly, and terrifying plague that is sweeping the land. That plague, folks, turns people into zombies. Thus, the scene is set for some epic humans vs zombies actions and terror, set in the distant past.

7. Sell Your Haunted House

IMDb rating 7.6/10

This is a classic haunted house story with a twist. The focus is not on the typical unsuspecting family thrilled to buy a house so cheap and terrorized by malevolent ghosts. Instead, we follow the story of two real estate agents who specialize in removing ghosts and demons from haunted houses so they can sell them. It almost sounds like the premise of a horror comedy, but do not be fooled, this one will chill you to the bone.

8. All of Us Are Dead

IMDB rating 7.5/10

More zombies, and this time they have infested a school. The students are faced with an impossible choice. Fight and kill the zombies that used to be their friends and try to escape. Or remain docile and become a monster like everyone else. While to adults this sounds like a no-brainer, pun intended, you have to remember that these characters are children. They should not have to face something like this, which deepens the drama and fear.

9. Happiness

IMDB rating 7.9/10

Happiness will mess with your head in many ways. First of all, it is set in a dystopian world, but it feels like the present. Infectious diseases are the norm in this world, which is eerily reminiscent of the recent COVID-19 pandemic that claimed millions of lives worldwide. It is too close to reality at times, and that makes the horror feel even more real. And there are zombies.

10. Revenant

IMDB rating 7.9/10

Revenant starts off so calmly. A hardworking young woman who is also a student receives a strange object from her late father. While she is not quite sure of its meaning, it soon becomes clear that this relic means bad news. Those around her begin to die in strange and unexpected ways. And she herself begins to change. Slowly but surely, into something truly terrifying.