[Ishani's Picks] Top 10 Korean Horror Dramas/Films That You Can Binge Watch This Halloween Week

It's that time of the year again! Spooky season is officially here and what better way to spend Halloween safely than to binge watch a terrifying K-Drama or have a screen marathon of bone chilling horror movies. If you've been looking for the best of the best in Korean horror, I've got the perfect list for you. Monsters, murderers and maniacs: this list has it all.

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"Dark Hole"

Masks have always been important and if the pandemic wasn't enough, this sci-fi monster flick will make sure you never go without a mask again. As for the plot, even in a world where inhaling a dark smoke proves fatally transformative, people are scarier than monsters. This drama is so gripping that you'll have no choice but to complete it in one sitting.

"Sweet Home"

One of the most impactful webtoon adaptations in recent years, "Sweet Home" is simply a masterpiece. Starring Song Kang, Lee Do-hyun, Lee Si-young, Lee Jin-uk, Go Min-si, Park Gyu-young, Kim Sang-ho and more, this drama is power packed, to say the least. Watch monsters born of human desires devour all hope for survival in this apocalyptic thriller and remember, there's no place like home.

"Strangers from Hell"

If "Sweet Home" was impactful, "Strangers from Hell" is downright blood-curdling. Starring Lee Dong-wook and Im Si-wan in the leading roles, this drama will leave you double checking all your locks even in the daytime. There are no monsters here but that's no relief. Even though this is a work of fiction, it is based on a very tangible reality. Psychopaths don't come with the devil's horns. Sometimes, they come with a dental probe.

"Goedam Season 1"

If you're looking for something bite-sized to binge over the weekend and films don't really hold your attention, try this anthology of Korean urban legends that will give you the scare you crave but without the commitment. "Goedam Season 1" is just the right dose of horror mixed with genuinely intriguing myths that will both pique your interest and leave you paranoid.

"The Cursed"

One of the most underrated Korean horror dramas out there, "The Cursed" definitely deserves more attention. From horror to political intrigue, shamanism to spirituality, "The Cursed" covers all bases. With a star-studded cast including Sung Dong-il, Uhm Ji-won, Jo Min-soo and Jung Ji-so, this drama is a must-watch, regardless of whether it's Halloween or not.

OnDemandKorea with English Subtitles

"The Host"

This film will leave you no space to breathe as you vicariously bear witness to a very possible vision of the future. Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" is not simply a disaster movie, it is a piercing critique of the arrogantly ignorant society, leading itself to destruction. If you haven't watched this masterpiece yet, now is the perfect time to change that.

"Kingdom: Ashin of the North"

Serving as a feature length special episode of the famed "Kingdom" series, "Kingdom: Ashin of the North" is 1 hour and 33 minutes of unadulterated, nerve-racking suspense that culminates in one of the most satisfying yet morally ambiguous climaxes in the history of cinema. If you haven't watched the first two seasons of the series, don't let that stop you from experiencing "Kingdom: Ashin of the North" because it can very well be viewed as an independent narrative. You might have to binge them afterwards however because your curiosity will most definitely get the best of you.

"The 8th Night"

Stepping into the territory of pure, sinister horror, we have one of the most well-made scary movies of 2021, regardless of language. "The 8th Night" is a mystery, thriller, suspense and coming of age film all in one. There's a sense of completion to the movie that doesn't let the gore of it all linger, thereby allowing you to sleep perfectly well at night. However, a frightful tension is maintained throughout the runtime, making it the perfect horror experience.

"The Call"

A psychological horror at its core, "The Call" makes brilliant use of time travel as a plot device to explore the darkest depths of the human psyche. Park Shin-hye and Jeon Jong-seo are masterful in the leading roles of Kim So-yeon and Oh Yeong-sook but unlike "The 8th Night", this film stays with you long after it's over.

"The Witch : Part 1. The Subversion"

Kim Da-mi is unbelievable as Ja-yoon in this drama about superhuman powers, uncanny encounters, bloody experiments and more that will keep you at the edge of your seat till the very end and then some. If you haven't watched this film yet, there couldn't have been a better time to catch up because it is getting a sequel very soon!

Happy binging!

By Ishani Sarkar