The influence of Korean culture on the rest of the world is widespread thanks to the broad availability of their music and other various forms of media.
Netflix has provided a platform to many Korean shows over the years, with the release of the hugely popular ‘Squid Game’ last year thrusting the Korean TV industry into the spotlight. One prominent and well-performing genre is the supernatural kind with its unique plots and top tier effects and cosmetics. Here is a compiled list of the 10 best Korean supernatural dramas on Netflix right now:
1. All of Us Are Dead
Cast: Park Ji-hoo, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-Hyun, Park Solomon, Yoo In-soo, Jeon Bae-soo
When a disgruntled scientist tries to come up with a solution for the bullying that his son faces at school every day, he ends up creating a virus that turns people into mindless monsters whose only aim is survival at all costs. When this virus is let loose in the high school, it spreads at an alarming rate throughout the city, leaving a ragtag group of students to band together and survive this terrifying ordeal.
With such relatable and grounded characters as the focus of this series, ‘All of Us Are Dead’ is the latest property from South Korea that is bound to take the world by storm.
2. Kingdom
Cast: Ju Ji-Hoon, Bae Doona, Kim Sungkyu, Hye-jun Kim, Jun Suk-ho, Seung-ryong Ryu
Aet in 16th century Korea, ‘Kingdom’ follows the crown-prince of the region as he investigates a strange illness rumoured to be affecting the King. He later finds out that it is a plague that is afflicting all the people, turning them into crazed monsters and it is up to him to put an end to this danger while fighting off his enemies who are making a play for his throne.
A beautiful blend of history and the undead, ‘Kingdom’ provides a unique take on the zombie apocalypse in a time when there are no engineered viruses or scientific cures. All that exists are the medieval methods that make this an intriguing show to check out.
3. The Uncanny Counter
Cast: Byeong-gyu Jo, Joon-Sang Yoo, Se-Jeong Kim, Yeom Hye-ran, Ahn Suk-hwan
The world is filled with good and evil spirits who wage war against each other through their human hosts. When one of the good spirits loses its host, it is drawn to a disabled schoolboy and possesses him. The boy is approached by the ‘Counters’, demon hunters who seek out the evil spirits to banish them back from whence they came.
There is never a dull moment during this series that portrays the afterlife as something that exists with spirits serving in different roles to maintain the balance.
4. Sweet Home
Cast: Song Kang, Lee Jin-Wook, Lee Si-young, Lee Do-Hyun, Go Min-Si, Park Gyuyoung
A young boy develops powers during a monster apocalypse and aids the other people living inside his building as they try to stave off this terrible threat from wiping them out completely. Among this group of survivors are a martial artist, a firefighter, a medical student and a teacher, all trying to contribute to their efforts in a different way.
With an intense setting, ‘Sweet Home’ is sure to get the adrenaline pumping and bound to keep the audience glued to their screens.
5. Strangers from Hell
Cast: Si-wan Yim, Lee Dong-Wook, Lee Jeong-Eun, Rae-Hyung Cha, Hyun-Wook Lee, Jong-hwan Park, Joong-ok Lee
A young man looking for cheap accommodation decides to take up a spot in Eden studio, a run down dormitory with some questionable tenants. The more time that he spends in the dorm, the more he begins to realize that all is not what it seems and that he has gotten himself into a really strange situation that will be difficult to get out of.
This supernatural drama does a good job of building up the impending dread right up till the end and maintains a level of consistency that is hard to find too often.
6. Son: The Guest
Cast: Kim Dong-Wook, Kim Jae-Wook, Jung Eun-Chae, Lee Won-jong, Park Ho-san
A story of exorcism and evil spirits, ‘Son: The Guest’ revolves around a psychic, a priest and a sceptical detective who work together to solve crimes that are of a supernatural kind as they look to resolve the trauma they went through during a major event almost 20 years ago.
A series with really harrowing visuals that keep you at the edge of your seat, this show combines supernatural horror with the meticulous nature of a procedural crime drama.
7. Zombie Detective
Cast: Choi Jin-Hyuk, Park Joo-Hyun, Hwa-Woon Kwon, Hang-ho Tae, Joong-ok Lee, Hwang Bo-ra
Kim Moo Young (Jin-Hyuk) wakes up one day as a zombie with no memories of his past. He teaches himself to blend in with humanity and then works as a private detective to find out more about the past that he has forgotten. Along for the ride is Gong Sun-Ji (Joo-Hyun) who is a former investigative journalist who serves as his assistant. The two of them dig deep into the existence of zombies and solve crimes along the way.
A more comedic approach to the supernatural genre is something that is often explored in Korean dramas and this is one example of how to execute it well.
8. Hellbound
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-Joo, Jeong Min Park, Jin-ah Won, Ik-joon Yang, Do-yoon Kim
When a disembodied face begins to appear in front of people and proclaim that they will be sent to hell anytime in the future, it plunges the entire city into chaos. A cult-like religious group and a militaristic gang assume the power during these times but a few select individuals decide to investigate the real truth behind these supernatural occurrences.
Hellbound has performed admirably since it’s released and garnered rave reviews from the audience and critics alike.
9. Tale of the Nine Tailed
Cast: Lee Dong-Wook, Jo Bo-ah, Kim Bum, Kim Yong Ji, Kim Jung-nan, Hwang Hee
A story involving a thousand-year-old guardian who lives in the mortal world, sworn to protect its inhabitants from evil beings who threaten their existence. When an intrepid producer with a keen interest in all things supernatural discovers his secret, she convinces him to reveal to her his true nature.
A fantasy love story with a dash of fairytale action makes this a very intriguing combination which is why it makes it on this list.
10. The School Nurse Files
Cast: Jung Yu-mi, Nam Joo-hyuk, Lee Joo-young, Kim Mi-soo, Go Yoon-jung, Teo Yoo
A peculiar and quirky school nurse armed with a magical glowing sword and the ability to see human desires, feelings, and spirits that exist in the form of “jellies”. When several mysterious events occur in the school, it is up to her and a colleague to protect the students from these unknown supernatural dangers.
‘The School Nurse Files’ is filled with stunning visuals and vibrant colours and the humourous dialogue makes it an enjoyable watch for all.
Also Read: 10 shows like ‘All of Us Are Dead’ that you must watch