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Besides the romantic dramas that captivate audiences, South Korea is renowned for its chilling horror movies, often concealing profound life lessons. Explore the top-rated Korean horror films below.
1. Train to Busan (2016)
The story revolves around the fateful journey of a father and daughter to Busan to visit the man's ex-wife. Meanwhile, a virus causing cannibalistic tendencies spreads, turning humans into zombies. Only the passengers aboard the train are fortunate enough to survive. Among them are the father-daughter duo, a father traveling with his daughter, and a couple expecting their first child, along with some high school students. These individuals, representing various societal strata, paint a diverse picture amid the catastrophe. What will they do to stay alive and protect their loved ones?
2. The Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
The plot revolves around two sisters, Su-mi and Su-yeon, who return from a mental hospital following their mother's death. Welcoming them back is their biological father and stepmother, Iun Joo. Since their arrival, a series of mysterious events unfold in the house, leaving the sisters terrified. Everything seems to be connected to the unresolved death of their mother. Will the truth be revealed, and who is involved in these deaths?
3. The Piper (2015)
The story begins when father and son duo, Woo Ryong, stumble upon a mysterious village. Here, they are asked by the village chief to help drive away tens of thousands of starving rats, promising a hefty reward upon completion. With their own quick wit and intelligence, the duo swiftly accomplishes the task. However, the horrifying nightmare and a chilling curse unfold from this point onward...
4. The Haunted School - The Silenced (2015)
The movie recounts the strange events unfolding at a boarding school in Seoul. Ju-Ran, a frail girl since childhood, is forced by her stepmother to live and study at this school. Ju-Ran endures a tough time, shunned by everyone, with no one willing to befriend her. Despite being the only witness to the mysterious disappearances of fellow students, nobody believes her, not even the principal - the only one capable of addressing the issue. Instead of worrying or attempting to solve the problem, she focuses solely on selecting the brightest students.
5. Don't Click - Don't Click (2012)
The film revolves around Jung-Mi, the younger sister of See Hee, and the horrifying incidents surrounding her life. See Hee, a young woman with a boyfriend, Joon Hyuk, who is part of a special investigation team. Due to curiosity about a once-notorious online video that was banned and disappeared without a trace, Jung-Mi asks her sister's boyfriend to download it. Ever since watching this video, numerous abnormal occurrences have plagued her. In an attempt to save her sister, See Hee embarks on an investigation. A horrifying truth is revealed - all viewers of this clip must die, and there is a truly demonic force lurking within this untraceable video clip. Will See Hee be able to save her loved ones?
6. The Mourning Grave (2014)
In-Soo, a boy with the ability to see ghosts, becomes isolated as a result. Feeling too lonely, In-Soo decides to move to the outskirts of Seoul to live with his uncle, a shaman. Life at the new school is not easy for him, especially with his old friend, Hae Chul, constantly bullying him. Here, In-Soo meets a ghost girl and quickly befriends her. At the same time, students in the class mysteriously disappear one by one, and rumors about a ghost wearing a bloodstained mask spread throughout the school...
7. Phone (2002)
Ji Won, a young journalist, exposes a teenage sexual assault scandal. Subsequently, she becomes targeted by those involved in the attack, facing terror and harassment. She decides to change her phone number and move to live in her friend Ho Jeong's house. From then on, a series of chilling phone calls are made. Moreover, every time she turns on her laptop, the image of a young girl with long hair and a bloodied face appears. Faced with these strange events, she begins to investigate and gradually uncovers a horrifying secret within the very house she lives in.
8. Warning: Do Not Play (2019)
An unsettling tale in the film industry revolves around a permanently banned clip for its horrifying nature. Legend has it that anyone who delves into the hidden aspects of this clip will face gruesome consequences. Despite the mystery surrounding it and the desire for fame and glory, newcomer Mi-Jung ignores all warnings about the risks and sets out to explore. The film draws her in, blurring the lines between reality and the movie itself.
9. Black House (2007)
Jeon Joon On works in an insurance company, responsible for investigating cases related to benefit claims. One day, he receives a strange phone call leading him to a dark, old house. Here, he discovers the body of a child hanging. Soon after, he receives information that the child's parents are demanding money from the insurance company. Although the police concluded the boy's death as suicide, Joon On grows suspicious of the parents' behavior. He begins to investigate and unwittingly gets entangled in the dark secrets of this peculiar family.
10. The Wailing (2016)
The film centers around a series of deaths occurring in the remote village of Gokseong when a mysterious Japanese man appears. Among those involved in the investigation is police officer Jong Goo. However, as he delves deeper into the case, his own family becomes victims, with his young daughter in danger. Transforming from a well-behaved, polite girl into a voracious, violent individual, she exhibits alarming behavior. Thus begins a cat-and-mouse game between the police officer and the cold-blooded killer. Will he save his daughter, expose the murderer, or both?
11. Death Bell (2003)
The movie is a horror story set in Chang Ahn High School, where the top 20 students of the school often gather on Saturdays. Excited to attend a lecture organized by Chang-wook, a horrifying event unfolds, altering the lives of every student in the class. On the TV screen appears Hye-yeong, submerged in a tank full of water. A voice then asks the students a question: if answered correctly, Hye-yeong will be saved, but if not, she will die. With only a short time to respond and no escape from the school, a series of questions ensue, leading to the disappearance of students one by one. A bloody midterm exam unfolds...
12. Thirst (2009)
The film revolves around the priest Sang-hyun, who spends most of his time volunteering at a local hospital. He volunteers to test a vaccine against the Emmanuel virus in hopes of saving lives. Although the experiment fails, instead of dying, he quickly recovers. His recovery sparks curiosity among many, including his childhood friend Kang-woo. During a weekly Mahjong night at his house, Sang-hyun discovers unsettling behavior in Kang-woo's wife. Suddenly, Sang-hyun falls ill and dies shortly after. The next day, he finds himself transformed into a vampire.
13. Wishing Stairs (2003)
Legend has it that the staircase in the girls' dormitory has 28 steps, and if one prays while ascending, the 29th step will appear, granting your wish. Two students, So-Hee and Jin-Sung, share a passion for ballet and are best friends. So-Hee sees Jin-Sung as her world, while Jin-Sung views her as just a normal friend. In a competition for a scholarship to a prestigious ballet school in Russia, it is assumed that So-Hee will be chosen. However, So-Hee is indifferent to this, while Jin-Sung is filled with jealousy. Ballet is Jin-Sung's greatest passion, and she is willing to do anything to turn her passion into reality, regardless of their friendship.
14. Killer Toon (2013)
The film follows detective Lee Ki-Cheol's investigation into a series of murders plaguing the city. Upon investigation, Lee Ki-Cheol discovers that the modus operandi of the killer coincides with the storyline of a popular online comic created by artist Ji-Yoon. So who is the real culprit behind this case?
15. The Red Shoes (2005)
The movie revolves around mysterious red shoes that appear at subway stations. Legend has it that when these shoes appear, they bring death to those who possess them. Sun-Jae, recently divorced, accidentally picks up a cursed pair of red shoes, bringing misfortune to those around her. What happened in the past to the owner of the red shoes that filled her with resentment and brought forth such a terrible curse?
Above are the best Korean horror movies, haunting viewers but behind them are profound lessons compiled by SoftwareTips. If you're a fan of horror films, you definitely can't miss the above movies. Wishing you enjoyable moments of relaxation this weekend.
