South Korea has bowled us over with its K-pop music and engaging Korean dramas, but even fans might not be aware of the terrifying horror movies they are missing out on. The Academy Award-winning film ‘Parasite’ introduced many cinema fans to the brilliance of Korean films. However, the South Korean film industry has been generating spellbinding and compelling films across genres. And their horror genre boasts diverse themes and delves into psychological fear. Unlike American horror, Korean filmmakers craft layered narratives and don’t just rely on jump scares and bloodshed.
If you aren’t afraid of a little gore and blood, these Korean horror movies will keep you on the edge of your seat.
A Tale of Two sisters
‘A Tale of Two Sisters’ is a South Korean psychological horror film released in 2003. The film marked its place as one of the most well-known Korean horror films. Helmed by Kim Jee-Woon, the film earned plaudits for its compelling storyline and nuanced emotional depth. The plot centres on Su-mi and Su-yeon, two sisters who, following a long stay in a mental health facility, return to their ancestral home. As the girls return home to their estranged father and stepmother, strange things start to happen, indicating a sinister family secret. The psychological horror, which explores mental illness and unresolved trauma, is loosely inspired by the Korean folklore called Janghwa Hongryeon Jeon. Though it did garner similar great reviews compared to the original, the 2009 American remake of the movie, titled ‘The Uninvited’, was also inspired by the film.
The Wailing
This 2016 South Korean film, helmed by Na Hong-jin, is a seamless blend of mystery and horror. Set against the backdrop of a rural village, the movie chronicles a series of brutal murders as well as an unexpected illness investigated by a local police officer. As the team digs deeper, they uncover that a new Japanese resident in the village is suspected to be behind the horror. Eventually, Jong-goo (played by Kwak Do-won) faces a personal crisis as his own daughter becomes a victim of the same sinister forces. Through the film, you will get a peek into Korean shamanism and traditional beliefs. Rotted deep in Korean culture, ‘The Wailing’ is a blend of a gripping story and masterful direction.
Train to Busan
‘Train to Busan’, counted among the most internationally popular Korean films, is an action-horror directed by Yeon Sang-ho. The film, which aced the zombie genre, showed an innovative approach to storytelling, which made it stand out. The story begins as a bunch of passengers board a train from Seoul to Busan. Amid a zombie outbreak, the survivors fight tooth and nail to save their lives and their loved ones. Gong Yoo stars as a workaholic father who risks his life to protect his daughter. Besides being an intricately woven horror tale, the film also sheds light on societal issues and class disparity, which magnifies during this crisis. The thriller ‘Train to Busan’ was a critical and commercial success, both in Korea and globally. In 2020, a prequel to the film titled ‘Seoul Station’ was released, and later, a standalone sequel was dropped titled ‘Penninsula’.
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
‘Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum’, directed by Jung Bum-shik, is a modern horror that blends contemporary filmmaking with the cultural context of Korean ghost stories. The 2018 film is set in the real-life Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital, which is known as one of the most haunted places in South Korea. The horror flick revolves around a group that runs a YouTube channel called Horror Times and ends up in an abandoned asylum, where terrifying events take place. It delved into the human psyche and the sense of realism and fear.
The Call
Directed by Lee Chung-hyun, the South Korean thriller ‘The Call’, is a remake of the 2011 British film ‘The Caller’. The time-bending premise of the film is backed by a compelling script and strong performances. In the horror thriller, two women, Seo-yeon and Young-sook, are connected through a mysterious phone call. Seo-yeon finds a cordless phone in her childhood home, and while living in 2019, she gets connected with Young-sook, who used to stay in the same house 20 years ago.
The Whispering Corridors series
The ‘Whispering Corridors’ film series unravels the dark side of the Korean educational system and the struggles faced by students. The film franchise is set against the backdrop of supernatural events, and each film has a standalone story. ‘Whispering Corridors’ explores aspects of rigid educational systems, bullying, and academic pressure. The films are a social commentary and psychological horror.
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