From chilling storytelling to sharp social themes, Korean horror and thriller shows are now global favorites due to their truly addictive viewing. If nerve-shredding tension, layered characters, and a story that keeps your mind buzzing long after the credits roll is what you love, then this list is for you. Here are 10 unforgettable Korean horror and thriller series that raised the bar for the genre and kept us all awake way too late at night.
10. Strangers from Hell – A Goshiwon You’ll Never Forget
Ever wondered what it’s like to live in a tiny room surrounded by neighbours who feel… off? Strangers from Hell brings that nightmare to life. Im Si-wan plays Yoon Jong-woo, a writer who moves into a creepy, low-rent goshiwon in Seoul, only to be drawn into a disturbing web of paranoia and danger. It’s slow-burning psychological horror at its best, and one of the most underappreciated thrillers out there.
9. Mask Girl – Fame, Obsession, and Hidden Faces
Mask Girl follows Kim Mo-mi, an average office worker who harbors a secret life as a masked online performer. Things spiral out of control when her identity is revealed. The web series is sleek, twisted, and full of surprises as it plunges headfirst into the darker corners of beauty standards and internet fame-with several actresses playing Mo-mi through different stages in her transformation.
8. Sweet Home – Humanity Meets Pure Terror
Sweet Home, based on the popular webtoon, plunges you into an apartment complex overcome with horrific monsters hatched from human desires. Cha Hyun-su, a troubled teenager, battles both inner demons and real ones when the world is falling apart. Filled with emotional stakes and unforgettable creature design, this series brings a dose of horror with heart, and three seasons of nonstop intensity.
7. Hellbound – When Judgment Comes Alive
In Hellbound, individuals receive terrifying prophecies that declare the exact moment of their death and are then dragged into their fate by monsters. With the world in panic, cults rise, society fractures, and morality gets murky. It is a bold and unsettling blend of supernatural terror and philosophical storytelling that asks huge questions about justice, faith, and humanity.
6. All of Us Are Dead – High School Meets the Apocalypse
A zombie outbreak is horrifying. A zombie outbreak inside your high school? Even worse. All of Us Are Dead traps a group of teens inside their school as a deadly virus spreads through classrooms and hallways. Due in part to its combination of action, emotional storytelling, and clever social themes, the show was a worldwide hit for a reason.
5. Happiness – Contagion, Isolation, and Human Nature
Happiness, in one sealed-off apartment building, mixes thriller, horror, and drama after a dangerous infection starts to spread. Residents are turning on each other as fast as the infected do, and the show dwells deep on fear, class divides, and loyalty under pressure. The chemistry of the leads and the sharp social commentary raise this right out of a simple zombie story.
4. Parasyte: The Grey – Alien Terror with Heart
A live-action adaptation inspired by the popular manga, Parasyte: The Grey, follows Jeong Su-in, who manages to survive an attack and finds herself sharing a body with an alien parasite. While struggling to keep herself alive, avoid government capture, and hold on to her humanity, the show serves up impressive action, spine-chilling body horror, and emotional depth. A must-watch for fans of the original or newcomers alike.
3. The Glory – Revenge That Cuts Deep
The Glory trades supernatural scares for psychological terror. The show centers on Moon Dong-eun, who suffered devastating bullying as a teenager and spends her adult life crafting an intricate plan for revenge. With a layered narrative jumping between past and present, it’s a haunting, emotional thriller that explores trauma and justice with icy precision.
2. Exhuma – Folk Horror with a Slow-Burn Punch
Exhuma mixes Korean folklore, psychological terror, and atmospheric storytelling into a chilling supernatural experience. The story reveals mysteries of ancestral spirits, rituals, and dark energy connected with a Gisune monk and the Anima demon. Instead of using jump scares, it builds an uncomfortable tension rooted in cultural myth and moral ambiguity, perfect for both newcomers and veterans of the horror genre.
1. Squid Game – The Survival Horror Phenomenon
Nothing tops the global juggernaut that is Squid Game. Desperate contestants enter a deadly competition based on children’s games and learn that losing equates to dying. The striking visuals, razor-sharp social commentary, and gripping suspense made the series an instant worldwide cultural moment. Its impact on the thriller genre and on pop culture is undeniably great.
From haunted buildings to deadly games, Korean horror and thriller series keep pushing the limits with bold, emotional, and visceral storytelling, but in all the right ways. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just diving into the genre, these standout shows will definitely draw you in, and perhaps have you sleeping with one eye open.