The Ghosts of K-drama: Part 2

We continue our journey into the spectral side of K-dramas. In this second installment, we list more eerie, and spine-tingling encounters with ghosts, spirits, and the supernatural.

"Black" (2017)

This is the tale of a grim reaper (Song Seung-heon) who awakens a series of decades-old cold case murders while tracking down his elusive partner. As he navigates the realm between life and death, he risks breaking the sacred rules of his existence by falling deeply in love with a mortal (Go Ara). Their forbidden romance ignites a chain reaction of events that threatens to upset the balance between the living and the dead.

"The Uncanny Counter" (2021, 2023)

In Seoul, a group of demon hunters known as the "Counters" work undercover as employees at a noodle restaurant to capture evil spirits that seek eternal life on Earth. The youngest member of the group, So Moon, becomes a crucial figure after surviving a mysterious childhood car accident. Joined by Do Ha-na, who can sense the location of evil spirits, Ga Mo-tak, a former cop with immense strength, and the healer Chu Mae-ok they work together to eliminate the malevolent forces. Together, they fight to protect humanity from the evil spirits that threaten their lives and the balance of the universe.

"Sell Your Haunted House" (2021)

Sometimes we just need a spooky yet lighthearted K-drama. "Sell Your Haunted House" follows Hong Ji-A (Jang Na-Ra), a brave and resourceful real estate agent with a special talent for seeing and banishing ghosts. She teams up with Oh In-Bum (Jung Yong-Hwa), a slick and charming scammer who uses his skepticism of the supernatural to swindle wealthy clients.

Together, they embark on a quest to uncover the truth behind Ji-A's mother's tragic death, which occurred 20 years ago. With plenty of laughs, thrills, and spooky moments, this show is perfect for anyone looking for a fun and entertaining horror fix.

"Gonjiam Haunted Asylum" (2018)

This 2018 horror film takes its cue from the events that shook Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital in 1979, where 42 patients became victims of a mass tragedy. Decades later, the long-abandoned asylum continues to fuel rumors and terrifying tales.

Seeking to capitalize on its notorious reputation, an online broadcasting crew invites a small group of thrill-seekers to participate in a live show within the haunted halls. As they delve deeper into the crumbling institution, the hosts begin to heighten the fear factor with sinister pranks, but the line between reality and deception blurs when the participants start experiencing real terror.

"Arang and the Magistrate" (2012)

This show revolves around the story of Eun Oh (Lee Joon-gi), a skeptical government official who embarks on a journey across Joseon to find his long-lost mother. His path crosses with the enigmatic Arang (Shin Min-ah), a ghost who was brutally murdered and seeks revenge.

As Eun Oh and Arang spend more time together, they develop feelings for each other, but their love is threatened by the darkness of Arang's past and the dangers that come with her ghostly existence.

"Hi, Bye Mama" (2020)

Lose someone you love, and you'll understand the depth of grief that can consume your life. For Jo Kang-hwa (Lee Kyu-hyung), the loss of his beloved wife four years ago left him shattered, forcing him to navigate the challenges of raising his young daughter alone. But 49 days after her passing, Kang Hwa's wife (Kim Tae-hee) begins a remarkable transformation – a process of reincarnation that will change their lives forever.

As she embarks on this journey, her husband is faced with a choice: to let go of his grief and embrace the unknown, or to cling to the past and miss out on the miracle that is happening before his eyes.

"A Tale of Two Sisters" (2003)

This 2003 film helped put Korean horror on the East Asian map. Two sisters, Su Mi (Im Soo-jung) and Su Yeon (Moon Geun-young) return home after a lengthy hospital stay and mourn the loss of their mother. Their stepmother, Eun Joo, greets them with open arms, but tensions arise.

Strange and inexplicable occurrences also begin to plague the household, leaving the sisters feeling uneasy and fearful. Doors slam shut, blankets are yanked off their heads, and an unseen force seems to be lurking in the shadows. As the supernatural activity intensifies, the sisters wonder if their stepmother might be involved in the disturbances or if something far more malevolent is at work, determined to rid the house of its inhabitants. Can Su Mi protect her sister and uncover the source of the evil forces before it's too late?

"The Wailing" (2016)

This Na Hong-jin horror flick has been called one of Korea's best horror films in the past decade. "The Wailing" takes place in a small town where a string of gruesome deaths have struck fear into the hearts of its residents.

The authorities attribute the fatalities to poisonous wild mushrooms, but Officer Jong Goo (Kwak Do-won) is not convinced. Whispers among the locals implicate a reclusive elderly Japanese man, and Jong Goo's investigation leads him to a witness who places the man at the crime scene. But just as Jong Goo starts to doubt the man's innocence, his own daughter exhibits the same ominous symptoms as the previous victims. In a race against time, he now has to save her and his whole village from the horror that threatens to consume them all.

Check out the last part of our list in Part 3!