Some of the best horrors Netflix has had to offer in recent years have come from South Korea. From hordes of flesh-eating zombies to monstrous entities, here’s the full list of the best Korean horrors on Netflix in 2021.
Thanks to films like Train to Busan, and television series such as Kingdom, the West has a growing appetite for South Korean horror. Netflix has a huge role to play in Western consumption of South Korean media, but especially in horror, which to this day continues to be one of the most popular content on Netflix.
N = Netflix
Note: The list of titles below was taken from the Netflix US library. In your country, there may be more or less Korean horror titles ready to be released.
Kingdom: North Ashin (2021) NOT
Director: Kim sung hoon
Duration: 92 minutes | Sub-genre: Zombies
To throw: 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 revenge sets her on a path that will bring the Joseon Dynasty and all of Korea to its knees.
Kingdom (2 seasons) NOT
Seasons: 2 | Episodes: 12
Duration: 45 minutes | Sub-genre: Zombies
To throw: Joo Ji Hoon, Ryu Seung Ryong, Bae Doona, Kim Sung Gyu, Kim Chan Yi
Exiled from court, Crown Prince Lee Chang investigates the origins of a mysterious and deadly virus that resurrects the dead and turns them into voracious carnivorous monsters.
#Live (2020) NOT
Director: He Cho
Duration: 98 minutes | Sub-genre: Zombies
To throw: Yoo Ah In, Park Shin Hye, Jeon Bae Soo, Lee Hyun Wook, Oh Hye Won
Full-time streamer Oh Joon Woo witnesses chaotic scenes of a zombie outbreak surrounding his apartment. With few supplies, and cut off from the outside world, he is trapped in his apartment. His salvation comes in the form of another survivor Kim Yoo Bin, a survivor also trapped on the other side of the apartment complex.
The 8th Night (2021)
Director: Kim tae hyung
Duration: 115 minutes | Sub-genre: Paranormal
To throw: Lee Sung Min, Park Jae Hoon, Kim Yoo Jung, Nam Da Reum, Kim Dong Young
Over two millennia ago, two mysterious beings wreaking havoc on the population by tormenting humans were locked in coffins. Thousands of years later, beings are awakening and attempting to recover 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) NOT
Seasons: 1 | Episodes: ten
Duration: 52 minutes | Sub-genre: Monsters
To throw: Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Si Young, Lee Do Hyun, Kim Nam Hee
After being the victim of relentless bullying, high school student Cha Hyun Soo becomes a recluse and, after losing his family, moves into a new apartment. When a strange phenomenon causes the appearance of horrible monsters with the intention of killing all humans. To survive, all of the humans who remain in the building must work together.
The guest (1 season)
Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 16
Duration: 67 minutes | Sub-genre: Paranormal
To throw: Kim Dong Wook, Kim Jae Wook, Jung Eun Chae, Lee Won Jong, Park Ho San
Yoon Hwa Pyung, a young medium born in a family of shamans, learns of the existence of the great evil demon “Son”. With the power to possess other demons and weak-minded people, the demon poses a serious threat to anyone it comes in contact with. In a fateful encounter, Hwa Pyung meets a young Catholic boy, Choi Yoon, after their two families are slaughtered 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
Duration: 10 minutes | Sub-genre: Paranormal
To throw: Song Chae Yun, Seola, Jang Won Hyuk, Kim Ye Ji, Jung Young Ki
When night falls over the city, the shadows and spirits of urban legends descend upon rebellious souls.
Aliens from Hell (Season 1)
Seasons: 1 | Episodes: ten
Duration: 60 minutes | Sub-genre: Psychological
Moving from the countryside to Seoul to accept his friend’s job offer, Yoon Jong Woo finds himself moving into a cheap hostel temporarily. Unenthusiastic about the conditions of his new home, Jong Woo plans to move in six months, eager to get away from his new neighbors whom he is beginning to fear.
Bring it on, Ghost (Season 1)
Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 16
Duration: 60 minutes | Sub-genre: Romantic comedy
To throw: OK Taec Yeon, Kim So Hyun, Kwon Yool, Kim Sang Ho, Lee David
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 runs out of cash, he offers his exorcist services for hire. One night during an exorcism, Bong Pal confronts the ghost of a high school student who has been dead for five years, but when the couple accidentally kiss during the fight, sparks fly and their lives are changed forever.
What’s your favorite Korean horror movie or TV show? Let us know in the comments below!