Showing posts with label horror. Show all posts
Showing posts with label horror. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

My Korean Movie Collection is Now Yours | Twenty (20) Must-Watch K-Dramas

Need a Friday night movie pick for a date, a Saturday afternoon double feature, or a Sunday night at the movies with family and friends? My K-drama movie collection is an awesome cross-section of Korean cinema — folklore, horror, revolution, music, crime, psychological thrillers. Below is my personal hand-picked watch list of 20 films (i.e., not on an official published listing elsewhere).

AI generated image using ChatGPT

(1) 11 A.M. ~ We Only Time Traveled for 15 Minutes and Saw 'The End'

11 A.M. is a 2013 Korean film that explores time travel, survival, and the unraveling of a research team facing its own future destruction. It's a gripping deep-sea sci-fi thriller.

(2) Exorcism Chronicles ~ The Beginning (2025) ~ Save the Child, Save the World

The 2025 Korean animated dark fantasy film, adapted from the first chapter of Lee Woo-hyeok's acclaimed book series “Toemarok” ( “A Record of Exorcism”).

(3) Go Go 70s ~ Nirvana Was Shut Down in 1979

This film celebrates the birth of Korea’s first generation of rock and soul musicians, following Sang Kyu, Man Sik, and their band The Devils as they rise from small club performers to national icons after merging their talents and winning a major contest.

(4) Heung-Boo ~ The Revolutionist ~ Who is the “True Man”?

This movie reimagines the classic folk tale through a Joseon-era drama of divided brothers, political unrest, and the power of storytelling. Yeon Heung-Boo, a banned writer known for scandalous books, searches for the heroic older brother he lost in childhood.

(5) I Am the King ~ Where is a Doppelganger When You Need One?

A Crown is switched. 'I Am the King' reimagines the destiny of a crown prince through crazy comedy and chaos.

(6) Pawn ~ I'm Not a Pawn. I Have a Name.

A tough debt collector unexpectedly becomes a father figure to a little girl. She is the daughter of a widowed illegal immigrant. It’s simple, heartfelt, and perfectly reflects the film’s theme of unlikely family.

(7) Search Out ~ A Sick Way to Use Social Media

Two jobless friends decide to investigate a disturbing pattern of suicides linked to a manipulative online figure.
  • Memorable Quote: “If someone tells you to die… that’s murder.”

(8) The Last Princess ~ Exiled Royalty Hoping Until the End

The emotional historical film about Princess Lee Deokhye’s forced exile, her struggle for identity, and her heartbreaking journey to return home to Korea.

(9) The Mimic ~ She's a Little Girl But is She Dangerous?

It reflects the core horror of the Jangsan Tiger legend and the little girl’s unsettling ability to mimic the dead, warning that familiarity can be fatal.
Based on a true crime story about a murder at a fast-food restaurant in Itaewon in 1997. Two Korean American teens are charged with the brutal stabbing of a college student.

(11) Big Deal ~ A High Stakes Soju Showdown That Redefines Korean Corporate Drama

A devoted finance director and an ambitious investment strategist clash over the fate of a beloved Korean soju company. Set against the turbulent backdrop of South Korea’s 1997 Asian financial crisis during the 1997 financial crisis.

(12) Asura: City of Madness ~ The “C” is For City, Chaos, Corruption and Moral Collapse

A detective chooses to become corrupt and justifies his dirty deeds by using the money he accepted to pay for his wife's medical treatment. He gets trapped even deeper into a dangerous web when he ends up between a corrupt mayor and ruthless prosecutors. He has to choose sides.

(13) Phantom ~ It's Hard to Aim a Weapon at a Ghost

“Phantom” strikes fear in the hearts of the Japanese occupiers in Joseon. But aren't the Japanese supposed to be a mighty military force? Yes. But does one aim a weapon at an invisible target? It's hard to see “Phantom”. They're like ghosts. Those unwelcome and unwanted foreign occupiers BETTER BE SCARED!

(14) Clean Up ~ Why Can't I Clean Up My Conscience?

A woman and her husband kidnapped a child because they needed money. Later, their own child died. She not only grieves the loss of her son but is burdened with guilt because she committed a crime against another child about the same age as her son at the time. That boy grew up to be a criminal. Did the kidnapping scar him and ruin his life?

(15) Insane ~ You Gotta Believe Me! I'm not Crazy!

Mental Health Law 24 was passed. According to this law, involuntary hospitalization only requires the consent of two guardians and the diagnosis of a specialist. Now … imagine if the guardians and the specialist are in cahoots with each other and they want you to be hidden from public view. A woman is wrongfully imprisoned in a mental hospital but manages to escape. After her daring escape, she is accused of murder and put in prison to serve time for the crime. Did she do it?

(16) Number One ~ The Descendants of Dangun Are Alive and Well

A high school student with supernatural abilities wants to know why he has to hide his great strength and endure until the “right time”. What is the “right time”?

(17) Joint Security Area
This award-winning film is based on Park Sang-Yeon's novel "DMZ".

A Swiss captain of Korean descent is sent to the DMZ to investigate a deadly shooting between North and South Korean soldiers, only to find that both sides are hiding the truth and “neutrality” is impossible in such a charged environment. After she’s removed from the case due to her father’s North Korean ties, she continues digging on her own and uncovers a surprising reality behind the conflicting accounts.

(18) Psychokinesis

A debt-ridden average man suddenly develops psychokinesis and tries to use his newfound power to protect his estranged daughter after a corrupt construction company causes her mother’s death. When powerful forces frame him as a societal threat and target his daughter as well, he refuses to stay imprisoned and becomes determined to save her and expose the truth.

(19) Ransomed

Based on a true story, and set in Lebanon. A Korean diplomat is sent on assignment in Lebanon because another Korean diplomat has been kidnapped. He crosses paths with a Korean taxi driver who speaks fluent Arabic and knows how to get around in Lebanon. Unfortunately, the cab driver is also a swindler. That's terrific! He can't even trust a fellow countryman in a foreign land.

(20) Unlocked ~ Sometimes Smart People Are Not Very Smart

A young woman loses her smartphone and a serial killer finds it. He turns her life into a living hell!

Sunday, September 6, 2026

CLAYFACE (2026) ~ Feature Film (DC Universe – Chapter One: Gods and Monsters)

"CLAYFACE" is a 2026 R-rated film, categorized as Science Fiction (Sci-Fi), Thriller, and Horror, to be released on October 23, 2026, exclusively in theaters.

CLAYFACE
  • Memorable Quote: “Even if it kills me, I'll be better off than I am now.”

STORYLINE:

"CLAYFACE" (2026) plunges audiences into a tragic, body-horror-driven origin story centered on Matt Hagen, a rising Hollywood actor whose life is violently derailed. After a brutal disfigurement leaves his once-celebrated face destroyed, Hagen becomes desperate for restoration—not only of his appearance, but of his identity and career. His search leads him to Dr. Caitlin Corr, a fringe scientist whose experimental treatments promise the impossible. Initially, the procedure appears miraculous, offering Hagen a glimpse of the life he lost. But the breakthrough quickly mutates into a nightmare.

As Hagen’s body begins to transform into living clay, he discovers he can reshape himself into other forms—an ability both wondrous and horrifying. But these changes strip away not only his humanity but also his sense of self, pushing him toward a violent spiral of revenge. Hagen’s psychological descent is a tragedy and also makes you question the consequences of unchecked scientific experimentation.

Set within the emerging DC Universe, “CLAYFACE” embraces grotesque transformation over traditional superhero spectacle. Hagen’s evolves from victim to a monster consumed by rage toward those who wronged him. As his powers grow, so does the danger he poses. CLAYFACE reimagines one of DC’s oldest villains through a modern, psychologically intense lens.

CAST BIO & CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:

Tom Rhys Harries

Plays (Matt Hagen / Clayface); a rising British actor known for both film and television work. His notable credits include “The Gentlemen”, “The Return”, and the series “White Lines”. He has also appeared in “Suspicion” and delivered a standout performance in the “Doctor Who” episode “Dot and Bubble.” Harries was selected for the role of Matt Hagen over several other contenders, including Tom Blyth, George MacKay, Jack O’Connell, and Leo Woodall, signaling DC Studios’ confidence in his ability to anchor a psychologically intense horror narrative.

Naomi Ackie

Plays Dr. Caitlin Corr, the scientist responsible for the experimental procedure that transforms Matt Hagen into Clayface. Her character has been compared to real-world controversial figure Elizabeth Holmes for her ambition and risk-taking.

A British actress known for her versatility across film and television. Credits include:

LINKS OF INTEREST:

DC Studios Moves ‘CLAYFACE’ to October 2026, Warner Bros. Shifts ‘Practical Magic 2’ Release Date | Variety

TRAILER/TEASER:

ONE Media. “CLAYFACE Official Trailer (2026) DC.” YouTube, 22 Jul. 2026, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3w9bt4fTdE.

Visit my original article published at PopGeeks.

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Eight (8) Occult and Ritual Horror K-Drama and Film (List 3)

This final collection brings together the heaviest hitters in Korean occult horror — stories where exorcists, shamans, scholars, and ordinary families confront demons that blur the line between faith and fear. 

These titles push ritual horror to its peak, weaving possession, curses, grave disturbances, and spiritual deception into narratives that feel both mythic and brutally immediate. If the earlier lists (List 1, and List 2) explored the edges of the supernatural, this one steps directly into the abyss.

Korean occult thrillers

(1)  The Priests (2015)

A young priest and a seasoned exorcist attempt to save a possessed girl, uncovering a demonic force far more cunning than they expected. One of Korea’s most intense and respected exorcism films. IMDb: 6.3/10

(2)  Metamorphosis (2019)

A shape-shifting demon infiltrates a family, twisting their identities and turning their home into a battleground of paranoia and spiritual terror. IMDb: 5.6/10

(3)  The Guest (2018)

A shaman, a priest, and a detective join forces to hunt an ancient demon that manipulates communities through fear, curses, and possession. IMDb: 7.9/10

(4)  Guimoon: The Lightless Door (2021)

A paranormal investigator enters a cursed building tied to ritual suicides, confronting a cycle of violence fueled by occult rites. IMDb: 4.9/10

(5)  The Cursed: Dead Man’s Prey (2021)

Ritual-controlled revenants are unleashed on the city, forcing a journalist and a teenage shaman to uncover the dark magic behind the attacks. IMDb: 5.6/10

(6)  Revenant (2023)

A woman becomes possessed by a vengeful spirit tied to shamanic curses, while a folklore scholar uncovers the ritual origins of the haunting. IMDb: 8.1/10

(7)  Exhuma (2024)

Elite shamans investigate a grave disturbance curse that unleashes ancestral wrath, blending ritual horror with high-stakes spiritual warfare. IMDb: 7.3/10

(8)  The Wailing (2016)

A rural cop confronts shamanism, demonic deception, and psychological collapse as a mysterious outsider triggers a wave of violent possession. Widely considered the pinnacle of Korean occult horror. IMDb: 7.4/10

***

This final list brings Korean occult horror to its highest intensity, showcasing stories where exorcists, shamans, scholars, and ordinary people confront forces that twist faith, identity, and reality itself. From demonic deception to ancestral curses, these titles reveal how deeply ritual and belief shape Korea’s most unsettling narratives. Together, they form a powerful finale — a reminder that in the world of occult horror, the most terrifying battles are fought not in the shadows, but in the spaces where tradition and the supernatural collide.



Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Eight (8) Occult and Ritual Horror K‑Drama and Film Roundup (List 2)

If the first list explored the eerie edges of Korean folklore, this second collection plunges straight into the heart of ritual horror — where shamanism, cults, possession, and theological dread drive the narrative.

  • List 1 was "mild". These titles push deeper into the occult, blending spiritual traditions with modern fears (cult themes, rituals, possession, stronger horror) to create stories that feel both ancient and unsettlingly current. They can be grouped as "moderate". Whether it’s cursed relics, demon hunts, or time‑warped killers, each entry reveals another facet of Korea’s rich supernatural imagination.

occult Korean dramas

(1)  The Closet (2020)

A father searching for his missing daughter discovers a shamanic underworld filled with trapped child spirits, forcing him to confront a supernatural realm shaped by trauma and ritual. IMDb: 5.7/10

(2)  Possessed (2019)

A psychic woman and a detective team up to stop a serial killer whose crimes intertwine with shamanistic rituals and demonic influence. IMDb: 6.3/10

(3)  Svaha: The Sixth Finger (2019)

A pastor who investigates religious cults uncovers a sinister group tied to occult theology, reincarnation myths, and a mysterious girl with a dark destiny. IMDb: 6.3/10

(4)  The Cursed (2020)

A journalist and a teenage shaman expose a corporation using black magic, possession, and ritual killings to maintain power, unleashing forces beyond human control. IMDb: 6.7/10

(5)  The Call (2020)

Two women connected through a phone call across time become entangled in a ritualistic serial killer’s timeline, twisting fate and reality with every conversation. IMDb: 7.1/10

(6)  Monstrous (2022)

A cursed Buddha statue triggers mass possession in a small town, forcing a grieving archaeologist and her ex-husband to confront an ancient evil. IMDb: 5.9/10

(7)  The 8th Night (2021)

A monk and an exorcist hunt a demon that awakens every eight nights, following Buddhist ritual lore to prevent an apocalyptic possession. IMDb: 6.2/10

(8)  The Divine Fury (2019)

A martial artist marked by stigmata joins a veteran exorcist to battle demons, blending action horror with Catholic ritual and supernatural combat. IMDb: 6.1/10

***

This second wave of occult stories dives deeper into Korea’s ritualistic underbelly, where shamanism, cursed relics, and theological dread shape battles between humanity and the unseen. Each title pushes past simple scares, revealing how spiritual traditions, belief systems, and ancient lore continue to haunt modern life. Together, they form a chilling reminder that the most terrifying forces aren’t always monsters — sometimes they’re rituals, faith, and the shadows we inherit.




Monday, July 6, 2026

Six (6) Occult Korean Dramas: From Folk Curses to Grim Reapers (You Can Keep Your Eyes Open)

Below is a quick list of occult Korean dramas. These go in the "mild" grouping, i.e., atmospheric, folk-tinged, low-gore. That means you don't have to watch them with your eyes closed, and it's OK if you turn the lights off for effect.

K-drama occult thrillers

(1) The Piper (2015)

A wandering piper and his ill son take refuge in a remote village after the Korean War, only to uncover a dark secret tied to a folk curse and the villagers’ deceit. The eerie, slow-burn atmosphere builds toward a grim, folkloric reckoning. IMDb: 6.4/10

(2) The Mimic (2017)

A grieving mother encounters the Jangsan Tiger, a creature that mimics human voices, pulling her family into an unsettling mystery rooted in Korean folklore. The horror is atmospheric rather than extreme, leaning on dread over jump scares. IMDb: 5.6/10

(3) Black (2017)

A grim reaper inhabits a human body and teams up with a woman who can foresee death, unraveling a conspiracy that blurs the boundary between the living and the afterlife. The series mixes supernatural mythology with crime-driven mystery. IMDb: 7.8/10

(4) Sell Your Haunted House (2021)

A pragmatic exorcist who runs a real estate business purging haunted properties partners with a con artist medium, uncovering secrets tied to restless spirits and her own past. Despite the occult rituals, the tone stays accessible and character-driven. IMDb: 7.6/10

(5) Goedam (2020)

This short-form horror anthology dramatizes modern Korean urban legends, each episode delivering a quick, eerie encounter with ghosts, curses, or unexplained phenomena. Creepy atmosphere over intensity defines the series. IMDb: 5.7/10

(6) Revelations (2024)

A pastor and a detective become entangled in a ritualistic murder case where prophecy, faith, and occult symbolism collide, pushing both toward dangerous revelations. (Note: This appears to correspond to Revelations/Gyesirok.) IMDb: 6.0/10 (2025 listing)

**

From haunted villages and mimic spirits to grim reapers and prophetic visions, these occult K‑dramas reveal how Korean storytelling transforms fear into fascination. Each title invites viewers to explore the unseen — where folklore, faith, and fate intertwine — proving that the supernatural isn’t just about terror, but about uncovering the mysteries that linger between worlds.



Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Five (5) Popular Korean Sci-fi Series Released in 2023, 2024, and 2025

It's one thing to be a sci-fi junkie and another thing to be a K-drama addict. What happens when you combine them? You get the best of both worlds. Awesome Korean drama science fiction series.

sci-fi collage
Free AI image created with DreamUp

(1) Black Knight (2023)

In a dust-choked future where breathable air is scarce, Korea is divided into rigid social classes controlled by a powerful corporation. Delivery drivers — known as “Black Knights” — risk their lives transporting oxygen and supplies across dangerous wastelands. When a legendary courier crosses paths with a refugee boy targeted by the regime, the two become unlikely allies in a fight against corruption. The series blends dystopian sci-fi with action and social commentary, offering a stylish, high-stakes vision of survival.


(2) Moving (2023)

A group of teenagers discovers they’ve inherited superhuman abilities from their parents — former government operatives who once participated in a secret program. As the kids struggle to control their powers, a mysterious assassin begins hunting enhanced individuals, forcing their families to confront buried pasts. Moving mixes superhero action with heartfelt family drama, earning praise for its emotional depth and character-driven storytelling.


(3) Parasyte: The Grey (2024)

Based on the iconic Japanese manga but reimagined in Korea, the series follows a young woman who becomes partially fused with an alien parasite after an invasion begins. Unlike other hosts, she retains her humanity — creating a tense alliance with the creature inside her. As authorities scramble to contain the outbreak, she becomes a key figure in the fight against the parasitic threat. The show blends body horror, sci-fi action, and moral ambiguity.


(4) The Silent Sea (2023 global release window)

In a future where Earth suffers from extreme water shortages, a team of astronauts is sent to a deserted lunar base to retrieve a mysterious sample. What they find instead is evidence of a catastrophic experiment — and a new form of life that challenges everything they know. The series combines hard sci-fi, mystery, and survival horror, with a slow-burning tension that builds toward a haunting finale.

(5) Glitch (2023–2024 streaming surge)

When a woman’s boyfriend disappears in a flash of strange light, she teams up with a UFO obsessed online community to uncover the truth. Their investigation leads to cults, conspiracies, and unexplained phenomena that blur the line between reality and belief. Glitch blends sci-fi mystery with quirky humor and social satire, making it one of the more unique Korean genre series in recent years.

***
But wait! There's more! Check out these lists.


Thursday, March 27, 2025

Korean Drama TV Series: The Scholar Who Walks the Night (2015)

I am not a fan of the horror genre. But I do like Korean historical period dramas. That's why when I first came across this TV series titled The Scholar Who Walks the Night, which was about vampires during the Joseon Dynasty, I wasn't sure if I wanted to watch it.

First of all, my background is Christian, and all the vampires that I have ever seen were weakened or even killed by a crucifix. So I'm thinking … how are they going to kill vampires in Korea??? Surely they won't use a cross. Nevertheless, I decided to watch the show because the main actor is Lee Joon-gi and I'm a fan.

There is a good vampire and a bad vampire. Lee Joon-gi plays the “good vampire”. He was close friends with the crown prince. The crown prince was fully aware that there was a vampire who was attacking people in the palace, and he wanted to get rid of that vampire. Scholar Kim Sung-yeol (played by Lee Joon-Gi) had no idea he was going to become a vampire. 

What happened was that the crown prince knew another good vampire who was trying to help him get rid of the bad vampire. He told his friend, the scholar, what his plans were and introduced him to the good vampire. 

Long story short. He was taken by surprise when the good vampire bit him! The good vampire told him that it was the only way for him to save the kingdom from that menacing, wicked vampire. Lee Soo-hyuk plays Gwi, the bloodthirsty evil vampire who wants to rule over all the humans.

Oh! What did they use instead of a crucifix? Something called Chinese hawthorn.

It was 20 episodes, and to my surprise, I really enjoyed it!  Glad I stepped outside my comfort zone.


Leejoongitalianfamily 2. “Trailer Scholar Who Walks the Night (2015) Sub Ita/Eng/Esp.” YouTube, 14 Jun. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UArSnKa1FqI.





Watch on KOCOWA+ with English Subtitles

KOCOWA+
     Download the app.

TOP 10 Korean Dramas of ALL TIME


JOIN THE POPGEEKS FORUM TO DISCUSS YOUR FAVORITE KOREAN DRAMAS


K-drama not streamed in your country?
***Best VPNs to watch Korean TV: NordVPN OR ExpressVPN

About Me

My photo
Work-at-home professional since 2007.

Treathyl Fox aka Cmoneyspinner – Home Business Entrepreneur.  Think. Dream. Focus. Believe in yourself? Hire yourself! Be your own boss! Do it! Self-employed and loving it!   ♦ DISCLOSURE: In compliance with FTC rules and guidelines, be advised that some links shared via this websites might contain affiliate referral links which means commissions might be earned if product sales resulted from your click-through to the vendor’s website.


DIDN'T FIND WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR? SEARCH THE ENTIRE WEB