Top 10 Korean Zombie Web Series That Will Keep You Up All Night
Korean entertainment has taken the world by storm, and its zombie genre offerings are no exception. Combining compelling narratives, high production values, and a unique cultural lens, these web series have captivated audiences globally. Forget sleep; these top 10 Korean zombie web series will have you glued to your screen all night.
1. Kingdom (2019-2020): The Royal Undead
- Platform: Netflix
- Number of Seasons: 2 + Special Episode
- Synopsis: Set in Korea’s Joseon dynasty, Kingdom follows Crown Prince Lee Chang as he investigates a mysterious plague that is turning people into ravenous zombies. As he delves deeper, he uncovers a political conspiracy that threatens the entire kingdom.
- Why it’s a Must-Watch: Kingdom stands out due to its breathtaking cinematography, meticulously crafted period costumes, and a gripping plot that blends historical drama with intense zombie action. The zombies are fast, relentless, and terrifying, and the political intrigue adds layers of complexity to the story. The special episode, Kingdom: Ashin of the North, provides a crucial backstory to the origins of the zombie plague, further enriching the world.
- Key Elements: Political intrigue, period setting, fast zombies, stunning visuals, complex characters.
- SEO Keywords: Korean zombie series, Joseon dynasty, political thriller, Netflix original, historical horror, Kingdom season 1, Kingdom season 2, Kingdom: Ashin of the North, Lee Chang, zombie plague.
2. All of Us Are Dead (2022): High School Horror
- Platform: Netflix
- Number of Seasons: 1 (Season 2 confirmed)
- Synopsis: Trapped in Hyosan High School during a zombie outbreak, a group of students must fight for survival against their infected classmates and teachers. As they struggle to stay alive, they also grapple with the challenges of adolescence, love, and betrayal.
- Why it’s a Must-Watch: All of Us Are Dead offers a fresh perspective on the zombie genre by focusing on the experiences of teenagers. The series explores themes of bullying, social hierarchy, and the pressures of academic life, all while delivering heart-pounding zombie action. The performances by the young cast are particularly strong, and the series keeps you guessing until the very end.
- Key Elements: High school setting, teenage drama, fast zombies, survival horror, character development, bullying, social commentary.
- SEO Keywords: Korean zombie series, high school horror, Netflix original, coming-of-age, All of Us Are Dead season 1, zombie outbreak, survival, teenage zombies, Hyosan High School.
3. Happiness (2021): Apartment Apocalypse
- Platform: Viki, iQiyi
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Synopsis: In a newly constructed apartment complex, residents face a new infectious disease that turns people into bloodthirsty creatures. A tactical police officer and her detective husband must navigate the chaos and uncover the truth behind the outbreak while protecting themselves and their neighbors.
- Why it’s a Must-Watch: Happiness blends the zombie genre with a suspenseful thriller, creating a unique and captivating viewing experience. The series explores themes of social inequality, fear, and the lengths people will go to survive in a crisis. The chemistry between the lead actors is excellent, and the plot twists keep you on the edge of your seat. The zombies are triggered by thirst, adding a unique element to the traditional zombie lore.
- Key Elements: Apartment complex setting, thriller, infectious disease, social commentary, survival, marriage dynamics, triggered zombies.
- SEO Keywords: Korean zombie series, thriller, infectious disease, Happiness drama, Han Hyo-joo, Park Hyung-sik, social inequality, apartment complex, survival horror.
4. Sweet Home (2020): Monster Within
- Platform: Netflix
- Number of Seasons: 1 (Seasons 2 & 3 confirmed)
- Synopsis: Cha Hyun-soo, a reclusive high school student, moves into a rundown apartment building after a family tragedy. Soon, monsters begin to appear, and he and his neighbors must fight to survive while battling their own inner demons.
- Why it’s a Must-Watch: Sweet Home is a visually stunning and emotionally resonant series that explores the themes of isolation, grief, and the power of human connection. The monsters are creatively designed and genuinely terrifying, and the series features impressive special effects. The focus on character development and the exploration of psychological trauma sets it apart from other zombie dramas. While not strictly zombies, the monster transformation is similar in nature and the end results are the same.
- Key Elements: Apartment setting, monster transformation, psychological thriller, special effects, character development, isolation, grief.
- SEO Keywords: Korean monster series, psychological horror, Netflix original, Sweet Home season 1, Cha Hyun-soo, monster apocalypse, apartment building, special effects, inner demons.
5. Dark Hole (2021): Mutated Mayhem
- Platform: Viki
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Synopsis: A detective receives a phone call from the man who killed her husband, telling her to come to Mujishi. She finds the town filled with mutated humans who have inhaled a mysterious dark smoke. She teams up with a former detective to uncover the source of the smoke and stop the spread of the mutations.
- Why it’s a Must-Watch: Dark Hole offers a unique twist on the zombie genre, focusing on the environmental impact and the consequences of unchecked industrialization. The mutated humans are terrifying and unpredictable, and the series is filled with suspense and action. The mystery surrounding the dark smoke keeps you guessing until the very end.
- Key Elements: Mutated humans, environmental horror, mystery, detective, dark smoke, small town setting, action thriller.
- SEO Keywords: Korean zombie series, mutated humans, environmental horror, Dark Hole drama, detective thriller, dark smoke, small town, action, mystery.
6. #Alive (2020): Isolated Survival
- Platform: Netflix (Film, not a series, but included due to its web-based feel and popularity)
- Number of Seasons: N/A (Film)
- Synopsis: Oh Joon-woo, a video game streamer, wakes up to find his city overrun by zombies. Trapped in his apartment with limited supplies, he must find a way to survive and connect with other survivors.
- Why it’s a Must-Watch: #Alive captures the isolation and desperation of being trapped in a zombie apocalypse. The film explores the themes of social media, loneliness, and the importance of human connection. Yoo Ah-in delivers a compelling performance as the protagonist, and the film is filled with suspenseful moments and creative survival strategies.
- Key Elements: Apartment setting, isolation, social media, survival, video game streamer, zombie apocalypse, resource management.
- SEO Keywords: Korean zombie movie, Netflix original, #Alive film, Yoo Ah-in, zombie apocalypse, isolation, survival, video game streamer, apartment survival.
7. Train to Busan Presents: Peninsula (2020): Wasteland Warfare
- Platform: VOD platforms
- Number of Seasons: N/A (Film, sequel to Train to Busan, but included due to its connection to the web series aesthetic and popularity)
- Synopsis: Four years after the events of Train to Busan, a soldier is tasked with retrieving a truckload of money from the zombie-infested wasteland of the Korean peninsula. He encounters a group of survivors who are fighting for their lives against both zombies and rogue military units.
- Why it’s a Must-Watch: Peninsula expands the Train to Busan universe, offering a post-apocalyptic vision of Korea overrun by zombies. The film features impressive action sequences, thrilling car chases, and a compelling story of survival and redemption. While not as tightly focused as its predecessor, it provides a satisfying continuation of the zombie outbreak.
- Key Elements: Post-apocalyptic setting, zombie wasteland, action, survival, military, car chases, redemption.
- SEO Keywords: Korean zombie movie, Train to Busan sequel, Peninsula film, zombie wasteland, post-apocalyptic, action movie, survival, military, car chases.
8. Rampant (2018): Historical Horror Returns
- Platform: VOD platforms
- Number of Seasons: N/A (Film, but included due to its similarity to Kingdom in setting and theme)
- Synopsis: Set in the Joseon Dynasty, a banished prince returns to his kingdom to find it overrun by zombies. He must fight to protect his people and uncover a conspiracy that threatens the throne.
- Why it’s a Must-Watch: Rampant offers a similar blend of historical drama and zombie action as Kingdom, but with a more action-oriented focus. The film features impressive sword fights, large-scale battle scenes, and terrifying zombie hordes. While the plot is less complex than Kingdom, it delivers a thrilling and entertaining zombie experience.
- Key Elements: Joseon Dynasty, historical horror
