K-DRAMAS TO WATCH FOR HALLOWEEN
It’s that time of year again: Halloween! And some of you Seoulmates will be making popcorn and choosing something to binge-watch. We’ve put together a list of shows that are spooky, scary, and will put you in the Halloween mood. Just remember not to watch them before bed!
Warning: Some of these shows contain graphic content and sensitive subject matter.
It’s the End of the World
The Apocalypse and Halloween go together like peanut butter and jam. If you’re looking for shows about zombies and the destruction of Earth, this list is for you.
All of Us Are Dead
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Lee Cheong-san and Nam On-jo are leading regular lives as high school students. Until one day, when their classmates start turning into zombies. The friends are forced to fight without any outside help, otherwise they’ll be the next to go. A huge hit earlier in early 2022, “All of Us Are Dead” is getting a second season.
Kingdom
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We’re sticking with zombies here. This series follows Joseon-era Crown Prince Lee Chang on his quest to stop a zombie infestation and a plot to seize the throne. A special episode, “Kingdom: Ashin of the North,” explores the origins of the zombie-creating drug. Another special episode is expected to air in 2023.
Sweet Home
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What if you became a monster of your own desires? That’s what happens in this k-drama, where residents of Green Home band together to protect each other and themselves. Main character Cha Hyun-soo, who gets infected but fights against it, is their last hope. Netflix announced two new seasons this year, and we can’t wait to see what happens next.
Hellbound
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These aren’t the angels you are looking for. In 2022-2027, monsters appear on Earth to take people to Hell. Two groups, the Arrowhead gang and the New Truth cult, form to bring more chaos and death. “Hellbound” was so popular on Netflix, it surpassed “Squid Game” as the site’s most-watched show! A second season is now on the way.
I See Dead People
There are so many k-dramas about ghosts, we had a hard time picking them! Fantasy, mystery, and comedy – these shows have it all.
Hotel del Luna
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Jang Man-wol owns Hotel del Luna, a rest stop for spirits on their way to the afterlife. She’s not a ghost, but she’s unable to die until she pays for the sins in her past life. With stunning costumes and cinematography, a beautiful soundtrack, and heartbreaking backstories, “Hotel del Luna” is my personal favorite k-drama and a must-watch for new k-drama fans.
Bring It On, Ghost (or Let’s Fight, Ghost)
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Need to get rid of a ghost? Call exorcist Park Bong-pal and amnesiac ghost Kim Hyun-ji. This duo starts out fighting spirits and ends up as a cute if odd couple. Throw in a possessed stalker and a shaman monk, and you have the ingredients for an epic show. Can’t get enough of it? There’s a Thai remake called “Let’s Fight Ghost.”
Sell Your Haunted House
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Hong Ji-ah is a real estate agent, who exorcises haunted properties. She meets Oh In-beom, a con-artist who swindles ghosts. They work together to find out the secrets behind Ji-ah’s mother’s death and the death of In-beom’s uncle. Recommended for Jang Na-ra and Jung Yong-hwa or CNBLUE stans.
The Guest
A shaman, a priest, and a detective exorcise evil spirits from criminals. No, it’s not a joke. Besides solving cases, Yoon Hwa-Pyung, Choi Yoon, and Kang Gil-young also fight against the demon “Son.” This show is not an easy watch, with frightening scenes and special effects.
Goblins and Reapers and Foxes, Oh My!
Now for some traditional Korean creatures. Goblins, or dokkaebi (도깨비), can be good or evil, helping or hurting humans. Nine-tailed foxes, or gumihos (구미호), are half-human, half-fox spirits that eat humans’ liver and store human energy in a bead (여우구슬). And grim reapers (저승사자) guide the spirits of the deceased to the afterlife.
Goblin (or Guardian: The Lonely and Great God)
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A classic that even new k-drama fans are familiar with. The show follows cursed goblin Kim Shin, who meets high schooler Ji Eun-tak and a Grim Reaper while looking for his bride. As they get to know each other better, they realize their past lives – and destinies – are intertwined. With iconic scenes, characters, and songs, “Goblin” is another show you don’t want to miss.
Tomorrow
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Some reapers lead souls to the afterlife. Others, like the Crisis Management team, stop people from going there too soon. “Tomorrow” sometimes struggles balancing humor with darker themes. However, it does a great job exploring social issues and the mindset behind someone’s decision to end their lives. It also features some intense action and gut-wrenching stories.
Tale of the Nine Tailed
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On to gumihos. Lee Yeon is searching for his lover Ah-eum, who he finds in the body of paranormal show producer Nam Ji-ah. Standing in his way are his mischievous brother Lee Rang and the serpent beast Imoogi. “Tale of the Nine Tailed” was so popular that a spin-off about Lee Rang aired during the second half of the show. Fans are also getting a second season in 2023.
My Girlfriend is a Gumiho
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Speaking of gumihos, why not check out this gem? Cha Dae-woong releases a gumiho, “Mi-ho.” Mi-ho gives Dae-woong her fox bead in exchange for him helping her become a human. This deal could end with one of them dying in 100 days. Fans loved the chemistry between the two leads, and the soundtrack includes several OSTs by Dae-woong’s actor Lee Seung-gi.
Looking for snacks to go with your episodes? Buy your own Seoulbox to get some spooky surprises!
A Night with a Vampire
We can’t talk about otherworldly creatures without mentioning vampires. Handsome, mysterious, deadly: everything we want in a vampire lead.
The Scholar Who Walks the Night
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Another alternate Joseon-era show. Guardian vampire Kim Sung-yeol patrols the earth, eliminating vampires breaking the rules. He meets cross-dressing bookseller Jo Yang-sun. Together, they look for the secret to kill the bloodthirsty vampire Gwi. The plot is somewhat convoluted, but it features gripping performances and twists that audiences weren’t expecting.
Blood
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A hospital is the last place you’d look for a vampire, right? Not here. Park Ji-sang is a vampire doctor treating terminally ill cancer patients at Taemin Hospital. He clashes with vampire director Lee Jae-wook, who is conducting some unethical experiments. “Blood” is an interesting take on vampires and the struggle between good and evil.
Vampire Prosecutor
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If you think a vampire doctor is cool, how about a vampire prosecutor? Min Tae-yeon helps bring criminals to justice by drinking their victims’ blood. While solving crimes, he searches for the person who turned him into a vampire in the first place. If you like police procedurals and creatures of the night, this show is for you.
Vampire Idol
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Let’s take a break from serious shows and look at a sitcom. A sitcom about vampires entering an idol competition. We’re not making this up. A hilarious show starring Lee Jung, Kim Woo-bin, Hong Jong-hyun, and Lee Soo-hyuk. (If you’ve been paying attention, this is Lee Soo-hyuk’s third k-drama on this list.) Expect a lot of laughs, CGI, and sparkling vampire visuals.
A Game of Cat and Mouse
Sometimes the most horrifying thing in the world is humanity. We finish with a series that will put you on the edge of your seat. Will our heroes outrun their pursuers? Make it out of the game alive? There’s only one way to find out.
Squid Game
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Dalgona. “Red light, green light.” Player 456. They’re all part of the world of “Squid Game,” where people can play children’s games (and die) for 45.6 billion won. This show popularized Korean culture and skyrocketed its cast, both veteran actors and rookies, to fame. There is now another season and a “Squid Game”-inspired reality show in development.
Hell Is Other People (or Strangers from Hell)
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All Yoon Jong Woo wants is a cheap place to live. Eden Studio seems perfect – until he starts meeting the neighbors. Starring Im Si-wan and Lee Dong-wook (in his third k-drama on this list), “Hell Is Other People” will have you biting your nails, glancing nervously at the door, and not trusting people ever again.
Save Me
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Im Sang-mi and her family move to Muji County, where they’re trapped in the Goseonwon cult. She has a chance to escape after meeting Han Sang-hwan. With her words “Save me,” Han and his friends try to uncover the cult’s secrets, which are darker than any of them imagined. A difficult watch, “Save Me” got a second season set in Wolchoori village with a different cast.
The Village: Achiara’s Secret
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Last but not least, this eerie series is set in crime-free Achiara. Or so teacher Han So-yoon thinks. She and rookie cop Park Woo-jae are pulled into a case involving a mysterious corpse. They come to realize that Achiara’s residents have things to hide. The absence of a romantic subplot allows viewers to concentrate on the haunting visuals and suspenseful story.
Have you seen any of these shows before? Are there other k-dramas you’d recommend? Leave a comment below. Enjoy your Halloween viewing, and sweet dreams – if you can sleep, that is!
Author: SUJI SOHN
About the author: Suji was studying in London in the year 2019 and, although being separated from her family, her passion for Korea was growing. She noticed that a lot of her close friends loved Korean culture, food, music, and dramas and gradually started to fall in love with Korea, but there weren't many opportunities to actually "experience" this wonderful nation!
Suji was aware of what she needed to do to introduce Korea to her friends' lives and, conceivably, to those of everyone else who was curious about a piece of Daehan Min-guk.
