The Ghosts of K-drama: Part 1

Step into the mystical world of K-dramas, where restless spirits and enigmatic ghosts haunt both the living and the... well, the plotline. Gwenchanoona explores the captivating and often poignant encounters with the supernatural in K-dramas, where the boundary between the living and the afterlife blurs, and where these spectral entities join the fray in weaving tales of love, loss, and redemption.

"The Master's Sun" (2013)

Tae Gong-shil (Gong Hyo-jin) possesses the unique ability to see ghosts. As a result, many seek her aid in resolving issues related to these otherworldly entities. Enter Joo Joong-won (So Ji-sub), a wealthy and self-assured CEO of Kingdom, who becomes embroiled in Gong Shil's ghostly adventures. To her surprise, Gong-shil finds that merely touching Joong-won allows her to banish the pesky specters. Through their interactions with the ghosts, the story explores both the joyous and distressing aspects of their relationship, ultimately revealing the dark secrets surrounding Joong-won's childhood trauma.

"Bring It On, Ghost" (2016)

Bring It On, Ghost (2016) pairs a bubbly teenage ghost with a ruthless exorcist in a battle against the unknown. After dying in a car crash at the tender age of 19, Kim Hyun-ji (Kim So-hyun) finds herself stuck in limbo, unable to move on to the afterlife. Enter Park Bong-pal (Ok Taec-yeon), a brooding exorcist with a dark past and a unique gift for slaying ghouls.

Despite their differences, Hyun-ji and Bong-pal form an unlikely alliance, taking on a variety of malevolent spirits and facing off against the evil forces that threaten their world. But as they fight side by side, they unravel the secrets of Hyun-ji's tragic death and the true nature of Bong-pal's cursed abilities. Will they overcome their fears and work together to defeat the ghosts of the past, or will they become the next victims of the supernatural forces they've stirred up?

"The Great Shaman Ga Do-shim" (2021)

In this thrilling high school drama, our protagonist Ga Doo-shim (Kim Sae-ron) is a naturally gifted young shaman who can perceive and contain restless spirits. As she transfers to a new high school, she joins forces with the smart Na Woo-soo (Nam Da-reum) to solve a series of mysterious murders plaguing their school. With her unique abilities and his sharp instincts, they form an unstoppable duo determined to uncover the truth behind these supernatural crimes.

"Mystic Pop-up Bar" (2020)

A spirit named Weol-ju (Hwang Jung-eum) runs a magical pop-up bar to help troubled customers with their problems. She's been given 500 years to help 100,000 people, but the higher powers are getting impatient, so they've given her a month to help the final ten people or else she'll go to hell forever. Meanwhile, she meets an ordinary supermarket employee with a unique ability who may be able to help her with her challenges. Will they be able to work together to secure her salvation, or will Weol-ju's tempestuous personality scare him away?

"Oh, My Ghost!" (2015)

In this hilarious K-drama, naive and reserved Na Bong-sun (brilliantly brought to life by Park Bo-young) struggles with self-doubt and social anxiety. She works as a quiet sous chef and nurses a hidden crush on her boss, the charismatic star chef Kang Sun-woo (Jo Jung-suk). But little does anyone know that Bong-sun possesses a remarkable ability to communicate with the spirit world, including the mischievous virgin seductress ghost Shin Soon-ae.

As Soon-ae takes possession of Bong-sun, her once shy demeanor transforms into a bold and confident alter ego. Suddenly, she begins to interest Sun-woo. But can he see past Soon-ae's mischief and finally recognize Bong-sun for who she is?

"The Guest" (2018)

K-drama reached fantastic horror heights with OCN's The Guest. Centuries-old evil spirits threaten to unleash havoc upon the world once again, bringing together an unlikely trio of heroes—a psychic, a priest, and a detective. Each member of the group has their own deep-seated trauma and connections to the demonic force known as "Son."

Yoon Hwa-pyung (Kim Dong-wook) inherited his family's legacy as a psychic. He now reluctantly uses his extraordinary abilities to purge human bodies possessed by evil spirits. Choi Yoon (Kim Jae-wook) is a Catholic priest known for his exceptional exorcism skills but keeps a cold demeanor. Kang Kil-young (Jung Eun-chae) is a pragmatic detective who dismisses the supernatural. The three could not be more different, but they will have to learn to work together to overcome their fears, as well as finally bring down the great evil before it's too late.

"Priest"(2018)

Meet Oh Soo-min (Yeon Woo-jin), a dynamic young Catholic priest and skilled exorcist from the elite team 643 Regia. His devotion to his faith is rooted in a tragic personal loss: when his mother was possessed by a demon and passed away, Soo-min learned the art of exorcism from the wise and experienced Priest Moon Ki-sun (Park Yong-woo).

On the other hand, Dr. Ham Eun-ho (Jung Yoo-mi) is a no-nonsense medical professional who rejects the idea of religion after experiencing a harrowing incident in her past. However, her skepticism is put to the test when she encounters a baffling supernatural occurrence during her work in the ER of a hospital and crosses paths with the unflappable Father Oh Soo-min—a meeting that will forever alter the course of her life.

"A Korean Odyssey" (2017)

In this fantastical K-drama, Son O-Gong (Lee Seung-gi) embarks on a perilous journey alongside his arch-nemesis Woomawang (Cha Seung-Won) as they search for a source of hope in a bleak world riddled with evil. Bound by a promise made 25 years earlier to protect the innocent Jin Seon-mi (Oh Yeon-seo), a vulnerable woman, Son O-Gong must confront the darkness head-on to ensure her safety and secure his own freedom in the long run.

"The Ghost Detective" (2018)

The horror-comedy follows the intriguing tale of Lee Da-il (Choi Daniel), a former soldier falsely accused and discharged from the military. Looking for redemption, he teams up with the intelligent and resourceful Jung Yeo-Wool (Park Eun-bin) at a private detective agency. Together, they take on a variety of cases that range from the ordinary to the utterly bizarre, with some even involving supernatural entities that lurk in the shadows.

"Possessed" (2019)

Meet Kung Pil-sung (Song Sae-byeok), a detective with a twisted gift - he's possessed by a malevolent spirit that enhances his investigative skills but also feeds on the suffering of others. His partner, Hong Seo-jung (Koh Joon-hee), is a psychic medium who can communicate with the dead but is also plagued by her own demons. Together, they tackle bone-chilling cases that push the boundaries of the human mind and soul. But as they delve deeper into the supernatural mysteries, they risk losing themselves to the abyss of hellish possession. Will they survive the horrors they uncover, or succumb to the clutches of the damned?

Check out Part 2 for more ghastly K-dramas!