We love a good fantasy-themed K-drama or film, and when it comes to supernatural creatures, zombies have been topping our list lately. Great cinematography and creative storytelling are pluses, too, of course. Whether you’re looking to get seriously spooked or just need some fodder for your next family fright night, these zombie titles will have you hooked.
Must-Watch Zombie K-Dramas And Movies
1. Train To Busan (2016)
Who’s in it: Gong Yoo, Ma Dong Seok, Kim Su An, Jung Yu Mi, Choi Woo Shik, Ahn So Hee, Kim Eui Sung
Where to watch it: Netflix
A list of zombie flicks won’t be complete without the one that started the craze. This critically-acclaimed film attracted more than 10 million audiences worldwide, making it the first Korean movie to achieve such a feat. If you haven’t already watched it, you should! Workaholic Seo Sok Woo (Yoo) becomes the unexpected savior during the zombie apocalypse when he gets trapped on a train full of infected people with his young daughter, Su An (Su An). As he and his motley crew battle zombies, they must also battle human nature.
2. Kingdom (2019-present)
Who’s in it: Ju Ji Hoon, Bae Doona
Where to watch it: Netflix
This award-winning zombie series is so successful a third season is in the works, and a special episode airs this July (more on that later!). The series’ cinematography is unparalleled, and you’ll be riveted from episode one. The story revolves around Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ji Hoon) who gets involved in a political conspiracy that takes a turn for the worse when a mysterious disease that raises the dead starts spreading. As he investigates the disease, he meets physician’s assistant Seo Bi (Doona), who joins him on an unexpected journey of survival.
3. Peninsula (2020)
Who’s in it: Kang Dong Won, Lee Jung Hyun, Lee Re
Where to watch it: Netflix
Set years after the events of Train to Busan, Peninsula shows South Korea still in the throes of a zombie apocalypse, now abandoned by the rest of the world. Former marine captain Jung Seok (Dong Won) has sought refuge in Hong Kong, but he finds himself being thrown back to Korea on a mission to retrieve money for gangsters. There, he gets attacked by rogues and discovers a family struggling to survive in the new world.
4. #Alive (2020)
Who’s in it: Yoo Ah In, Park Shin Hye
Where to watch it: Netflix
Contrary to other films and dramas on this list, #Alive isn’t just an action flick—it’s a study on isolation and loneliness. Gamer Joon Woo (Ah In) is alone in his family’s apartment when a disease starts turning people into zombies. He quickly realizes that he’s trapped with limited supplies. As the outbreak worsens, he also loses his phone signal, and with it, his source of communication with his family. As Joon Woo slowly goes crazy from fear, hunger, and loneliness, he finds an ally from the opposite apartment building. Together, he and Yoo Bin (Shin Hye) plot a way to escape and survive.
5. Zombie Detective (2020)
Who’s in it: Choi Jin Hyuk, Park Ju Hyun
Where to watch it: Viu
The only comedy in our roster today, this drama stars the charismatic Choi Jin Hyuk as an amnesiac zombie who starts his life as a “human” all over again. He assumes the identity of Kim Moo Young, a private detective. As he begins solving cases, he uncovers bits of his past. He gets help from Gong Sun Ji (Ju Hyun), an ex-journalist he hires to be his assistant. Moo Young is a bit of a beauty maven (he needs to hide his scars, stitches, and holes), and it’s fun watching him go through his daily routine.
6. Sweet Home (2020)
Who’s in it: Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Si Young, Lee Do Hyun, Kim Nam Hee, Go Min Si, Park Gyu Young, Go Yoon Jung
Where to watch it: Netflix
While this isn’t strictly a zombie series, its take on monsters gives us the shivers. This critically-acclaimed drama is based on a webtoon, and it tells the story of student Cha Hyun Soo (Kang), who finds himself in the middle of the apocalypse, just after moving into a new apartment complex. When people get infected, they turn into monsters with special powers, and the apartment tenants are forced to band together to survive. Stellar acting from the star-studded cast aside, the special effects in this series are topnotch, so make sure you’re ready when you line this up for binge-watching at night.
7. Dark Hole (2021)
Who’s in it: Kim Ok Vin, Lee Joon Hyuk
Where to watch it: Viu
In this fast-paced, action-packed drama, Detective Lee Hwa Sun (Ok Vin) is on the search for her husband’s murderer. Her plight takes her to Mujin City where dark smoke is drifting from a large sinkhole. When people inhale it, they turn into zombie-like monsters hell-bent on killing. In the city, she also meets Yoo Tae Han (Joon Hyuk), a former detective who now works as a truck driver, and the two of them become unexpected leaders as Mujin City turns into a den of zombies.
8. Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021)
Who’s in it: Jun Ji Hyun, Park Byung Eun, Kim Si Ah
Where to watch it: Netflix
At the end of the last ep of Kingdom’s second season, we see Prince Chang and Seo Bi finding the resurrection plant at the northern border. We also spot a mysterious woman in a house filled with the undead, who’s hinted to be the source of all the chaos. This is Ashin, the titular heroine of Kingdom’s short prequel. The episode explores Ashin’s childhood, what led her to start using the resurrection plant, and how she turned into someone seeking revenge.
MORE K-DRAMAS TO BINGE-WATCH, RIGHT THIS WAY:
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10 Heartbreaking K-Dramas That Are Guaranteed To Make You Cry