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16 Must-Watch Korean Dramas: Zombies, Multiverses, and Magic
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Imagine a historical setting where a prince fights a mysterious plague that turns people into zombies. The mix of history and horror creates an engaging narrative. Another series ventures into parallel worlds, following the emotional journey of a detective after encountering a woman who resembles his deceased mother.
In another show, dark smoke transforms people into monsters, focusing on the desperate struggles of survivors. Another drama depicts a dystopian world where apartment dwellers fight monstrous transformations, adding psychological depth to the horror.
These dramas push the boundaries of traditional storytelling with innovative plots and engaging characters. The seamless integration of zombies and multiverses provides a fresh take on familiar themes. For fans of inventive storytelling, these series are a must-watch, showcasing the limitless creativity of Korean drama creators.
1. Kingdom (2019)
When the Joseon King succumbs to smallpox, rumors of his death spread quickly. The Cho Clan, including the pregnant Queen and her father, Chief State Counselor Cho Hak Joo, declare the Crown Prince a traitor.
Suspicious of the circumstances, the crown prince and his loyal guard, Moo Young, set out on a mission. They seek to find Lee Seung Hui, the last physician to treat the king, and uncover the truth.
Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they meet attending physician Seo Bi. Along with a mysterious man named Young Shin, they find themselves trapped in a village overrun by a terrifying disease.
As the horror unfolds, alliances are tested and secrets are revealed. The crown prince must face political intrigue and supernatural threats to save his kingdom.
- Displayed: January 25, 2019
- Number of episodes: 6
- Cast: Iu Ji Hoon, Ryu Seung Ryong, Bae Doo Na, Kim Sung Gyu
- Streaming platform: Netflix
2. Strangers from Hell (2019)
Yoon Jong Woo, a young man in his early 20s, moves from the countryside to Seoul after landing a job offered by his college friend, Jae Ho. In search of affordable housing, he stumbles upon Eden Gosiwon, a budget hostel with shared facilities. Despite his initial dissatisfaction with the quality and the strange residents, Jong Woo decides to stay for six months until he can afford better accommodation.
Among the quirky residents is Seo Moon Jo, a charming dentist who lives next door. Jong Woo finds Moon Jo's charisma unsettling, but resolves to endure the discomfort. As time passes, strange and frightening occurrences begin to unfold within the hostel, making Jong Woo increasingly uneasy.
The unsettling atmosphere of Eden Gosiwon begins to take its toll on Jong Woo. He notices the residents' bizarre behavior and hears strange noises at night. His initial plan to save money and move out is overshadowed by a growing sense of dread and paranoia.
As the mystery deepens, Jong Woo begins to fear for his safety. The once tolerable living situation now feels like a trap. The true nature of the hostel and its inhabitants slowly unravels, leading Jong Woo to confront the disturbing reality he has stumbled upon.
- Displayed: August 31, 2019 – October 6, 2019
- Number of episodes: 10
- Cast: Yim Si Wan, Lee Dong Wook
- Streaming platform: Prime Video, Apple TV
3. Rugal (2020)
Kang Ki Beom, an elite police officer, faces a devastating attack from Argos, a notorious criminal organization. Masked assailants brutally murder his wife and gouge out his eyes, leaving him for dead.
When Kang wakes up in the hospital, he is wrongly accused of murdering his family. The NIS intervenes, offering him a chance at redemption: join Rugal, a special team equipped with cutting-edge biotechnology.
With his new artificial eyes, Kang gains extraordinary abilities. Armed with these powers, he is determined to take down Argos, the organization responsible for his suffering.
Relentless and focused, Kang Ki Beom, along with Team Rugal, embarks on a mission to dismantle Argos. They aim to destroy the criminal organization that destroyed his life, seeking justice and revenge.
- Displayed: March 28, 2020 – May 17, 2020
- Number of episodes: 16
- Cast: Choi Jin Hyuk, Park Sung Woong, Jo Dong Hyuk, Jung Hye In, Kim Min Sang, Park Sun Ho
- Streaming platform: Netflix
4. Tunnel (2017)
In 1986, Park Gwang-ho, a passionate and successful detective, led a serial murder case. Chasing the culprit through a tunnel, he emerges 30 years later, finding himself in 2016.
In this new era, Gwang-ho meets Kim Seon-jae, an eccentric elite detective with exceptional investigative skills. Despite the time gap, they form a strong partnership, driven by their shared commitment to solving crimes.
The serial killer from the past resumes his murders with the same modus operandi. The detective duo joins forces with Professor Shin Jae-yi, a criminal psychologist, to tackle the cold cases and capture the elusive killer.
Together, they combine their unique strengths to bring justice to the victims. Their relentless pursuit of the truth uncovers hidden secrets and strives to put an end to the killer's reign of terror.
- Displayed: March 25, 2017 – May 21, 2017
- Number of episodes: 16
- Cast: Choi Jin Hyuk, Yoon Hyun Min, Lee Yoo Young
- Streaming platform: Netflix, Viki
5. The Strange Accountant (2020)
“The Uncanny Counter” follows a unique group of demon hunters known as the Counters. They disguise themselves as noodle shop employees as they capture evil spirits in search of eternal life.
Then Moon, the youngest Counter, becomes a key figure after surviving a mysterious childhood accident. His journey intertwines with the group's mission, bringing new determination and perspective.
Do Ha Na possesses the rare ability to sense evil spirits and read memories through touch. She collaborates closely with So Moon, using her talents to locate and combat malevolent entities.
Ga Mo Tak, with his immense strength and experience as a former police officer, is So Moon's mentor. Despite having lost his memory seven years ago, he is driven by an unyielding sense of justice.
Chu Mae Ok, the team's healer and the restaurant's chef, provides emotional support and stability. Her nurturing presence helps balance the group's dynamics during their battles.
Choi Jang Mool, the oldest Counter, manages the team's finances and holds legendary status among Korean Counters. His vast experience and wisdom guide the group on their challenging mission.
- Displayed: November 28, 2020 – January 24, 2021
- Number of episodes: 16
- Cast: Cho Byeong Kyu, Yoo Joon Sang, Kim Se Jeong, Yeom Hye Ran, Ahn Suk Hwan
- Streaming platform: Netflix
6. After School Duty (2023)
Sungjin High School is thrown into chaos when an alien invasion unleashes violent insect-like creatures across the world. With the South Korean military overwhelmed, conscription is imposed on all third-year high school students, forcing them to undergo military training while facing impending university exams.
Platoon leader Lee Chun Ho leads students through rifle ranges, combat, and obstacle courses, all in their school uniforms. Amidst the turmoil, teacher Park Eun Young struggles to protect her students, balancing their safety and education.
The students struggle with their new reality, struggling to transform themselves from typical teenagers into capable soldiers. Their resilience and courage are tested as they confront both the alien threat and the pressures of their academic future.
In this dire situation, these high school students must rise to the challenge. Can they become the unexpected saviors in the face of global disaster?
- Displayed: March 31, 2023
- Number of episodes: 6
- Cast: Shin Hyun Soo, Lee Soon Won, Kim Ki Hae, Choi Moon Hee, Kim Su Gyeom, Lee Yeon, Kwon Eun Bin, Moon Sang Min
- Streaming platform: Viki
7. We Are All Dead (2022)
In Hyosan City, South Korea, a science teacher's horrific experiment triggers a zombie outbreak at a local high school. The experiment spirals out of control, leading to chaos as the school is overrun by zombies.
As the outbreak spreads across the city, authorities are struggling to manage the growing crisis. With the city in turmoil and aid scarce, the situation is becoming increasingly dire.
Trapped in a school, a group of students must rely on their resourcefulness and teamwork to avoid the dangers around them. They face relentless threats as they try to find a way to escape the infected environment.
Amidst chaos and fear, these students must use their ingenuity to survive and reach safety. Their journey is a test of courage and survival in the face of an overwhelming zombie apocalypse.
- Displayed: January 28, 2022
- Number of episodes: 12
- Cast: Park Ji Hu, Yoon Chan Young, Lomon, Cho Yi Hyun
- Streaming platform: Netflix
8. The Night Has Come (2023)
A gripping teen drama unfolds when high school sophomores are plunged into a real-life mafia game during their retreat. This intense scenario triggers fierce psychological battles between the students, pushing them into survival mode.
At Yooil High School, the 2nd grade 3 class embarks on a field trip. Suddenly, they find themselves caught up in a deadly mafia game, desperately fighting for their lives.
Lee Yoon Seo, with her keen observation and reasoning skills, becomes essential in devising escape plans. Kim Jun Hee, the class president, embodies justice and responsibility, striving to protect his classmates.
Oh Jung Won, academically ranked but rejected, must work together with her classmates to endure the harrowing ordeal. Their journey becomes a test of intelligence, courage, and unity.
- Displayed: December 4, 2023 – December 21, 2023
- Number of episodes: 12
- Cast: Lee Jae In, Kim Woo Seok, Choi Ye Bin, Cha Woo Min, Ahn Ji Ho
- Streaming platform: Netflix, Viki
9. Parasyte: The Grey (2024)
In this story, parasites from outer space descend on Earth, seeking to gain power by controlling human hosts. These parasites kill and manipulate their victims by infiltrating and taking over their brains and bodies.
Jung Soo In is infected with a parasite in her hand, leading to an unusual cohabitation. The parasite, unable to take over her brain, must coexist with her, creating a bizarre and uncomfortable partnership.
Seol Kang Woo embarks on a journey to find his missing sister, who is connected to the parasitic threat. His search leads him to the heart of the outbreak, where the parasites are wreaking havoc.
Meanwhile, Choi Jun Kyung, the leader of the specialized team 'The Grey', is dedicated to exterminating these parasitic creatures. Her mission is motivated by personal loss, as she seeks revenge for her husband, who was killed by the parasites.
- Displayed: April 5, 2024
- Number of episodes: 6
- Cast: Jeon So Nee, Koo Kyo Hwan, Lee Jung Hyun
- Streaming platform: Netflix
10. Sweet Home (2020)
After a tragic event takes the lives of her family, Cha Hyun-su moves into a run-down apartment complex called Green Home. Her attempt to start over is cut short when monstrous beings suddenly appear and begin terrorizing the town.
The arrival of these creatures forces Hyun-su and his fellow residents into a desperate fight for survival in the confines of their apartment building. Together, they face this strange and terrifying threat.
Hyun-su soon experiences monstrous changes, including the ability to transform into a winged monster at will. This new power presents both opportunities and dangers as he deals with his transformed state.
Other residents of Green Home also transform into monsters that reflect their deepest desires. As they struggle with their new abilities and the threat from outside, they must find a way to coexist and protect each other.
- Displayed: December 18, 2020
- Number of episodes: 10
- Cast: Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Si Young, Lee Do Hyun, Go Min Si
- Streaming platform: Netflix
11. Hellbound (2021)
Set in South Korea between 2022 and 2027, To hell depicts a chilling reality where supernatural beings called angels deliver decrees that condemn individuals to Hell at specific times, ranging from mere seconds to years in the future. These decrees are followed by terrifying demonstrations in which enormous monsters appear to violently execute the condemned.
The series features two influential groups exploiting these supernatural events for their own gain. The New Truth Society, a cult-like organization, and the Arrowhead group, a gang-like faction, manipulate public fear to increase their power and influence.
In the first three episodes, the story revolves around a detective investigating the frightening phenomena, the president of the New Truth Society, and a principled lawyer. The focus shifts in episodes four through six, set five years later, to a television producer and his wife as they deal with the distressing news that their newborn baby is destined for Hell.
The transition of the main characters reflects a broader exploration of the impact of these supernatural events on different lives, from law enforcement and religious leaders to ordinary families confronting their darkest fears.
- Displayed: November 19, 2021
- Number of episodes: 6
- Cast: Yoo Ah In, Kim Hyun Joo, Yang Ik Jun, Park Jeong Min, Won Jin Ah
- Streaming platform: Netflix
12. Happiness (2021)
Yoon Sae Bom, a quick-witted special agent with exceptional abilities, secures a desirable apartment in a new civil servants' compound by pretending to marry her high school friend, Jung Yi Hyun. Yi Hyun, a detective, is investigating a mysterious illness.
Their situation changes dramatically when Han Tae Seok, who is leading a task force to manage the outbreak, orders the apartment complex to be sealed off from the city. The residents find themselves trapped, turning the building into a microcosm of social dynamics.
As the quarantine continues, the social hierarchy in the complex becomes apparent. Illness and isolation highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of the residents, displaying a range of human behaviors under stress.
In this high-pressure scenario, Sae Bom and Yi Hyun face the challenges of the lockdown situation while dealing with the growing threat of the disease.
- Displayed: November 5, 2021 – December 11, 2021
- Number of episodes: 12
- Cast:Han Hyo Joo, Park Hyung Sik
- Streaming platform: Netflix
13. Signal (2016)
In 2015, criminal profiler Park Hae-young stumbles upon a discarded walkie-talkie. To his shock, the voice on the other end, Detective Jae-han, is speaking from the past and seems to know him well. With Jae-han's guidance, Hae-young unravels a 15-year-old kidnapping and murder case involving his former classmate.
This discovery leads to the creation of a cold case team, led by Detective Cha Soo-Hyun, who has been searching for her mentor Jae-han for 15 years. She is determined to solve cold cases and uncover the truth behind Jae-han's mysterious disappearance in 2000.
As Hae-young continued to receive help from Jae-han throughout the 1990s, they solved several cold cases that had puzzled the police for years. However, their efforts to right past wrongs led to unforeseen consequences in the present.
Together, Hae-young, Soo-Hyun, and Jae-han face the complexities of their unique connection through time. They strive to bring justice while grappling with the implications of altering the past.
- Displayed: January 22, 2016 – March 12, 2016
- Number of episodes: 16
- Cast: Lee Je Hoon, Kim Hye Soo, Jo Jin Woong
- Streaming platform: Netflix
14. Sisyphus: The Myth (2021)
An unforeseen incident pulls a brilliant engineer into a web of dangerous secrets and introduces him to a woman from the future. Han Tae Sul, a co-founder of Quantum and Time, is celebrated for his exceptional coding skills and striking appearance. Despite the company’s global prestige, Tae Sul’s personal struggles have led to fluctuations in its stock market since his brother’s death a decade ago.
One day, Tae Sul witnesses a shocking event that leads him to discover the truth behind it. Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, he sets out on a dangerous journey.
Kang Seo Hae, from a dystopian future, survived amidst chaos and danger. She travels back in time with the mission of protecting Tae Sul from imminent threats.
Together, they face countless challenges that intertwine their destinies. Seo Hae's future knowledge combined with Tae Sul's technical expertise becomes essential to face the impending dangers.
- Displayed: February 17, 2021 – April 8, 2021
- Number of episodes: 16
- Cast: Cho Seung Wo, Park Shin Hye
- Streaming platform: Netflix
15. Gyeongseong Creature (2023)
Jang Tae Sang, a wealthy and charming figure in Bukchon, Gyeongseong, is celebrated for his quick wit and sharp perception. His sociability and skills have made him an important source of information in the area. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Yoon Chae Ok, causing him to reconsider his priorities.
Yoon Chae Ok is a famous todugun, known for her ability to locate missing people. Her challenging upbringing, traveling between Manchuria and Shanghai with her father, equipped her with essential survival skills. Adept with firearms, knives and machinery, she is on a decade-long quest to find her missing mother.
Her search takes her to Gyeongseong, where she meets Jang Tae Sang. United by their missions, they begin to investigate a series of mysterious disappearances, gradually uncovering disturbing truths. Their partnership becomes essential as they embark on the perilous journey.
As they dig deeper, they uncover a dark reality, facing dangerous forces and their own internal battles. Through their collaboration, they find strength in each other, fostering a resolve to face the challenges ahead. Their shared determination drives them to persist despite the odds stacked against them.
- Displayed: December 22, 2023 – January 5, 2024
- Number of episodes: 10
- Cast:Park Seo Joon, Han So Hee
- Streaming platform: Netflix
16. The Guest (2018)
Yoon Hwa Pyung, a young psychic from a shamanic family, becomes aware of a formidable demon named “Son” (Guest). This demon can control other demons, causing them to possess vulnerable individuals who then spiral into madness, committing murder and harming themselves.
The paths of Hwa Pyung, Choi Yoon, a boy from a devout Catholic family, and Kang Kil Yeong, the daughter of a detective, tragically cross when their families are killed by a demon.
Two decades later, demon-related murders resurface. Hwa Pyung now works as a taxi driver, using his psychic abilities to locate and help possessed individuals. Yoon has become a Catholic priest skilled in exorcism, while Kil Yeong, now a detective, remains skeptical of the supernatural.
The trio reunites and combines their unique abilities to confront and defeat the malevolent “Son,” striving to end the cycle of violence and madness unleashed by the demon.
- Displayed: September 12, 2018 – November 1, 2018
- Number of episodes: 16
- Cast: Kim Dong Wook, Kim Jae Wook, Jung Eun Chae
- Streaming platform: Netflix
