Horror movie lover Lewis Sheller has previously contributed guest posts like five top classic black-and-white horror movies and the top 13 horror movie icons of all time. Now he’s joining us one last time to share five popular Japanese and Korean Netflix horror shows. I’m obsessed with Korean horror and love Lewis’s picks. I hope you will too. Enjoy!
Top 5 Korean and Japanese Live-Action Horror Shows Available To Watch On Netflix RIGHT NOW!
by Lewis Sheller
Today, we’ll look at five of the top Korean and Japanese horror shows currently available on Netflix. I’ve selected five of my personal favourite Netflix shows. I’ve limited my choices to live action, as I appreciate that anime isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
Why Japanese and Korean shows specifically, I hear you ask? Well, I think all too often in the West we tend to overlook some real gems. A lot of Eastern shows tend to be more character-driven, investing time and energy in fleshing out even supporting characters. It allows audiences to resonate with them and become more emotionally invested in their story arcs.
As a writer myself, I always approach any criticism of a show or film through the eyes of a writer. Therefore, for me, a good story with interesting characters will always succeed in pulling me in. It’s my hope to introduce you to these shows, which you might otherwise not have heard of, in order to encourage you to check them out. I hope you will, and I hope you’ll have as much fun with them as I had.
I’d love to hear about your own experiences with these shows. Please let me know how you got on with them in the comments section at the bottom of this article.
Note: I very much advise checking out the following recommendations in their native language wherever possible. (Subtitles are available.) Unfortunately, in my experience, dubbing can take away from the original performances of the actors, and dilute the authenticity of the show.
5. Alice in Borderland (2020) – Japanese
If you’re a fan of the “death game” sub-genre of horror, and you like a show that really makes you consider what YOU would do, then Alice in Borderland from 2020 will be right up your street! Starring Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya, as main protagonists Ryohei Arisu and Yuzuha Usagi, respectively, this series often pulls at your heartstrings with some amazing all-around performances and shocking twists.
When a carefree Ryohei (an avid gamer and social outcast), along with his friends Chota and Karube, accidentally cause a commotion at a local crossing inside Tokyo, they decide to hide from the police in a nearby train station bathroom. However, after some strange noises and flashing lights, they emerge from the station to find that things are unnervingly quiet. In fact, the previously busy streets, once packed with citizens rushing to and fro, are now completely baron. Not a single sound, or another person in sight. It’s as though life itself has ceased to exist here.
Confused, the group can’t wrap their heads around the suddenness of it all. That’s when a light appears (projected onto a nearby building), directing them to an unknown destination. They follow the directions of these projected lights, as more and more appear, further leading them to…what? They do not know! Ryohei has always loved to play games, but he’s about to find out that some games have deadly consequences! Welcome to Borderland!
*Good news: Season 2 will be released in December 2022.
4. Kingdom (2019 – 2021) – South Korean
Kingdom is 50% political drama (set in the 16th century) and 50% zombie horror. Whilst things start off fairly slow initially, bear with it. Trust me. By the end of episode 2, you’ll be hooked. By episode 3, you won’t be able to tear your eyes away from the screen.
This show has an impressive number of key players, including Lee Chang (played by Ju Ji-Hoon), a Crown Prince of Joseon and the main protagonist of the show. When Lee Chang’s father is abruptly taken ill by an unknown disease, Lee anxiously awaits the outcome of his treatment. Should Lee’s father pass, he would be the next in line for the throne. However, his father’s wife (Queen of Joseon) is pregnant. Should his father survive long enough, his newborn stepbrother would become first in line. This means that Lee would be killed as a possible contender to the throne.
This leaves Lee in a precarious situation. On the one hand, he doesn’t wish to see his father dead. On the other hand, his father’s death is the only thing that can save his life. When his father is seemingly healed, it appears Lee’s fate has been sealed. He now only has until the unborn child is delivered to live. However, he begins to draw suspicion over the fact that no one seems to have seen the King for some time. Could there be a conspiracy at play?
You’ll have to tune in to find out! As for the zombies, Kingdom comes up with some very creative ways in which they differ from your average run-of-the-mill zombies. I don’t wish to spoil any of the reveals for you, but know there are several interesting twists.
Keep an eye out for Cho Beom-pal (played by Jeon Seok-ho), a magistrate of Dongnae, as well as Yeong-shin (played by Kim Sung-kyu), a skilled ex-soldier and villager of Jiyulheon. Both of these characters have so much depth to them. The many layers to their character leave you to wonder if they’ll end up on the right side of things, by the end. Again, I won’t spoil whether they do. You’ll just have to watch and find out for yourself. But I found these two characters particularly interesting to follow.
*There are 2 seasons in total of Kingdom, with a feature-length special episode, “Ashin of the North,” that acts as a prequel to the series. I advise watching this prequel after finishing season 2, as then you’ll have a better understanding of the events and individuals being referenced. Whilst there is no season 3 currently announced, given the positive buzz around the series, and the things it sets up, it seems as though a third season is inevitable! Keep your eyes posted for more updates.
3. All of Us Are Dead (2022) – South Korean
This zombie-apocalyptic South Korean show features a huge cast, including Yoon Chan-young, Park Ji-hu, Cho Yi-hyun, and Kim Byung-chul, just to name a few. If you’re an anime fan and like shows such as Highschool of the Dead, then All of Us Are Dead is perfect for you.
When loving father, scientist, and teacher, Lee Byeong-chan (played by Kim Byung-chul), sees his son suffering from constant bullying, he seeks to use his scientific knowledge to assist his son, injecting him with a cocktail designed to turn his fear into rage, to help him fight back. Unfortunately, things go awry when his son’s bullies decide to throw him off a rooftop, after a botched suicide attempt.
His mourning father soon discovers that the serum he gave his son has brought him back from the dead, all be it in a zombified state. Determined to “cure” his son and his wife (who also later becomes infected), he continues his research using the school’s laboratory equipment. Unfortunately, when an infected hamster bites one of the students, it’s not long before the entire school becomes infected. Now, a ragtag group of students must try to survive. But is there more to this virus than first meets the eye? You’ll have to tune in to find out!
*Good news: Season 2 has been officially announced.
2. Sweet Home (2020) – South Korean
Starring Song Kang (who plays the lead protagonist, suicidal high school student Cha Hyun-soo), this South Korean show features a unique twist on the apocalypse sub-genre of horror. Whereas most apocalypse horror shows feature zombies, either the traditional shambling undead or more modern charging zombie variants, Sweet Home abandons both versions in favor of “monsters,” each with their own unique design and habits.
Moreover, instead of this being a virus spread through bites or blood, which would be commonly found in most zombie apocalypse shows, the “infection” in this show comes from the corruption of one’s soul, by giving into one’s extreme desires. These core desires are then represented in the metamorphosis of the citizens into their monstrous counterparts, explaining their unique characteristics.
There are some truly creative creature designs on display in this show. Whilst the extensive lore takes a while to understand, it’s nonetheless intriguing to dive into. If you’re looking for an apocalyptic horror show, but with more unique threats and thought-provoking concepts, then this is the show for you!
*Good News: Both the second and third seasons have been officially announced.
1. Hellbound (2021) – South Korean
Upon its release, Hellbound was a smash hit worldwide. Dominating its competitors, it secured its spot as the #1 global-rated show on Netflix within a mere 24 hours of its release.
To put this into perspective, Squid Games (2021), which everyone still raves about, took eight days to accomplish this same feat. Something about the visceral nature of Hellbound and its exploration of the macabre successfully tapped into the psyche of its audience, in a way that few other shows could.
Whilst the show’s lead protagonist, detective Jin Kyeong-hoon (played by Yang Ik-June), struggles to explain the strange series of murders currently plaguing the nation, a dangerous cult is forming behind the scenes. Jeong Jin-soo (played by Yoo Ah-in) leads the cult, which seeks to expedite what they believe is God’s divine judgment.
Hellbound’s intriguing premise is as follows: An angel will appear (in the form of a projected face) decreeing that you have been condemned to hell, along with providing a timeframe for when the punishment will be meted out. Once the time has elapsed, three demons will appear to drag your soul down to hell, for all eternity.
The show initially sets this up as an act of God, bringing judgment down on those who have sinned. However, as the show progresses, the audience is challenged to question what exactly constitutes a sin and if this is really the work of God after all.
*Good news: Season 2 has been officially announced.
In Conclusion
So, there you have it. My top 5 Asian live-action horror shows, all of which are currently available to watch on Netflix. Which will you be checking out? Let me know in the comments section below.
I also invite you to take a shot at the two latest “Creepy Clue” games that I recently created. (Creepy Clue Game #4 and #5.) They’re a fun way to test your horror knowledge. Plus, you’ll find many other fun games to play on that page too.
And so, for now, I bid you all a tearful goodbye. Though, I very much hope to be back with Haunt Jaunts in 2023. If I am, I plan to share my Top 5 horror animes. So stay tuned for that!
In the meantime, please continue to show the other writers of Haunt Jaunts the same love and dedication you’ve shown my articles. My humble thanks once again.
Kind regards, Lewis.
And as I always like to say…Until next time, keep your wolfsbane near and hold your loved ones tight, for who knows what’s out there, lurking in the shadows of the night!
Guest Contributor Info
A full-time freelance writer, Lewis loves all things horror, especially movies. Deeply passionate about movies in general, he can’t help but celebrate the films of the past, whilst also eagerly keeping up-to-date with news on projects currently in development. Follow him on Twitter @WriteChoice4U.
Got an idea you’d like to submit? We’re always looking for quality infotaining posts about true crime, horror, and the paranormal –or some blend thereof. Visit our Writers Wanted page for submission details. We’d love to have you join our Skeleton Crew!
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Great list, Lewis, but was I stunned Squid Games wasn’t on your list? YES! lol But then when I read your write-up under Hellbound, did I sense that maybe you weren’t that big a fan of SG?
I did like your recommendation for leaving original audio intact and enabling subtitles, though. I don’t understand one word of Korean or Japanese, but I like hearing their intonations and such. Some of the voice overs lose the emotion/power/character conveyed by the original actors.
But I will also say a couple of shows I turned on English audio for my husband, who doesn’t always have the patience to “read” a show. (He often just listens while he does other stuff.) But I always have on subtitles because I’m just getting older and sometimes I miss words.
Anyway, in those instances I’ve found discrepancies between the voiceover and subtitles sometime. Some are just minor word choice or words out of order differences. But sometimes what was said on screen is completely different from the subtitle, which is interesting. Not even the context is similar.
Great list though. I’ve seen all except Kingdom. I’m positive I tried to watch the 1st episode and gave up because it was too slow, but I’ll revisit it and see if it grabs me in the 2nd and 3rd episodes. Thanks for sharing.
We dropped Netflix when the price went up again, but now that they’re introducing a lower priced, ad version, we might get it again. All of these shows sound good to me. I wouldn’t mind watching them.
I just have to comment on the Netlfix pricing, Priscilla, because so many people have dropped due to their increase. That and not having to be stuck at home so much anymore. I’m super curious to see what happens with their new ad-supported model. Not that any of that has anything to do with Asian horror. lol But I have been impressed with so many of the international Netflix series, especially the Korean shows. Lewis really nailed it that they are more character-driven, so if you like storylines like that, you’d like these shows!
Hi Courtney. In answer to your question, I actually really do like Squid Games and am very much looking forward to Season 2. The only reason I didn’t include it in this list, is I wanted to bring attention to some lesser known shows instead! As for Kingdom, I hope you will give it another try and see how you feel by the end of episode 3. As I stated in my article, I also found it a little slow going in episode 1, but there’s plenty of action once the “zombies” arrive on the scene! Hellbound is definitely my favourite among these shows though. I highly recommend that one!
Hi Priscilla. I completely understand where you’re coming from. These streaming services are indeed getting quite expensive. I recommend waiting until you have several shows to watch, and then taking it for a month to enjoy them all, turning off auto-renewal. This way, you’re only paying for a single month (at a time), whilst being able to watch all the shows you want. At least with Netflix new seasons will release all in one go (most of the time anyways), meaning you can binge watch them in one sitting (which I personally prefer doing), or at least over the course of a weekend, saving you from having to be subscribed over several months.
It’s been a pleasure to work with Haunt Jaunts. If you’ve enjoyed my articles and would like to join me in celebrating some amazing movies over this Halloween period, simply give me a follow on Twitter @WriteChoice4U. I’m currently running a massive movie marathon (see pinned tweet). *I am also available for hire (simply drop me a DM). I look forward to continuing to interact with you all, over there. Kind regards, Lewis.