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

When we think of Korean dramas, our minds often envision heartwarming love stories and ridiculously good-looking and charming protagonists. But contrary to popular belief, the world of K-dramas is not confined to just those themes. As proficient as K-drama producers are at delivering romantic comedies, they also excel at spine-chilling horror shows.

So, without further ado, let's take a look at ten disturbing K-dramas that will undoubtedly linger in your thoughts long after the screen goes dark.

10. Sell Your Haunted House

Sell Your Haunted House takes us on a paranormal journey with real estate brokers who specialize in cleansing properties plagued by ghosts and death. This rare all-rounder drama masterfully blends entertainment, wit, and spine-tingling moments. Its carefully crafted plot keeps you guessing, making you question the reality of every situation. The eerie cinematography, coupled with a great mystery, will surely leave you with goosebumps.

9. The Cursed

Written by the director of the hit horror flick Train to Busan, the show's narrative centers around a range of morally gray characters and a teenage girl's unique ability to kill and curse people. You won't be able to get the nerve-racking plotlines and unsettling deaths showcased in the series out of your head.

8. Happiness

Set in an apocalyptic world ravaged by infectious diseases, Happiness follows the residents of an apartment building as they fight for survival. The drama subtly depicts how layered and dark both society and human nature can be, highlighting the struggle to maintain sanity amid chaos. Though ironically the show is not so much about happiness, every episode is so surprising that you'll be hooked from beginning to end.

7. Revenant

The thriller mystery follows a young woman as her life takes a sinister turn after receiving a relic from her late father. Together with a Korean folklore teacher, they try to get to the bottom of mysterious deaths related to sacred objects. With layers of lies, intricate real-life experiences and clues, this series keeps you glued to your seat, hungry to uncover the truth. The skillful blend of suspense, horror, and top-notch production quality creates an addictive and enthralling viewing experience.

6. Save Me

This disturbing K-drama takes its viewers on a terrifying journey into the world of a religious cult, introducing us to a group of characters who are driven by different motivations. Save Me showcases the fragility of sanity and the horrors of extremism, which are portrayed with such nuance that some viewers have reported dropping the show entirely. The show is scary because it's realistic, making it a truly distressing yet riveting watch.

5. All Of Us Are Dead

A high school turns into a battleground as students grapple with a zombie virus outbreak. The portrayal of school kids fighting for survival against the infected is deeply disturbing, leaving its audience in a state of terror and desperation. What makes the series especially terrifying is how graphic and full of blood and gore it is.

4. Kingdom

Blending political intrigue with the supernatural with perfect equilibrium, Kingdom delivers a fascinating twist on the zombie genre. Revolving around an ailing king and a mysterious plague spreading across the land, the show combines history with thrilling suspense, offering a unique and captivating narrative. Even if you're not into historical dramas, you're guaranteed to find yourself intrigued by the genre after watching this show.

3. Hellbound

This dark fantasy thriller delves into the unsettling concept of divine punishment, exploring themes of organized religion, sins, faith, extremism, and human fallibility. On this wild ride, you'll be introduced to mysterious divine beings and death angels. This dark and thought-provoking series challenges viewers to pay close attention to its complex layers and subtexts, leaving them contemplating profound questions.

2. The Guest

The Guest follows a psychic, a priest, and a detective as they combat crimes fueled by supernatural forces that are possessing people. With a stellar cast and spine-chilling visuals, this series keeps viewers on the edge of their seats, blending mystery and horror. You won't need to worry about jump scares as there aren't many, however, be prepared to experience an ongoing sense of dread.

1. Strangers from Hell (also known as Hell Is Other People)

Unsurprisingly, topping our list is none other than Strangers from Hell, a psychological thriller that immerses viewers in a world of terror and paranoia. A string of disturbing events unfolds in the life of an aspiring crime fiction writer when he moves to an apartment building swarming with eerie neighbors. As the protagonist's journey into madness unfolds, audiences are left in a state of unease long after the series ends, thinking about the potential violence within people. But be warned, many viewers couldn't continue with this creepy series as some scenes can scare the living crap out of you.