From haunted apartments to cursed spirits whispering in the dark, 2026 Must-Watch Horror K-Dramas are redefining fear for a new generation. Unlike typical Western jump-scare thrillers, Korean horror dives deep into supernatural folklore, buried trauma, and raw human emotion — creating fear that lingers long after the screen fades to black.
Whether you crave spine-chilling monsters, demonic possessions, or slow-burn psychological terror, these Korean horror dramas of 2026 promise nightmares that will crawl into your dreams long after the credits roll.
Let’s explore the best — and scariest — horror K-dramas that make 2026 the year of sleepless nights.
10. Save Me (2017)
Created by: Jo Geun-hyun, Jung Shin-kyoo
Genre: Psychological | Thriller | Cult Horror
Release Date: August 5, 2017
Network: OCN
Cast: Seo Yea-ji, Ok Taec-yeon, Jo Sung-ha
What is scarier than ghosts? People.
Save Me takes psychological horror to another level with its disturbing representation of blind faith and the manipulation of cults. Seo Yea-ji stars as Sang-mi, a young woman encased in a religious cult that is taking advantage of the grief experienced by her family.
Fear does not come from jump scares, but rather this heavy, suffocating notion of control, abuse, and brainwashing. These unsettling feelings are heightened through eerie performances, especially by Jo Sung-ha as the cult leader, intensifying the authentic horror in every scene.
Rating: 9.0/10
A slow-burn descent into madness — one of Korea’s most realistic horrors.
9. Strangers From Hell (Hell Is Other People) (2019)
Created by: Jung Yi-do
Genre: Psychological | Mystery | Horror
Release Date: August 31, 2019
Network: OCN
Cast: Im Si-wan, Lee Dong-wook
When Jong-woo moves into a rundown dorm in Seoul, he discovers that he is not living with normal people. The building is feel cursed, the hallways are saturated with whispers, and the weight of loneliness begins to take a toll on his well-being.
Lee Dong-wook is the ultimate scene stealer as a rosy yet sinister dentist who stalks around with a smile, and behind perfect manners are violent specifics. This series takes isolation and paranoia and transforms it into a weapon — it is more about losing trust in human beings and the terrifying consequences of that more than it is about monsters.
Rating: 9.3/10
Claustrophobic, disturbing, and guaranteed to make you avoid shared housing forever.
8. Revenant (2023–2024)
Created by: Kim Jae-hong, Kim Eun-hee (Kingdom)
Genre: Supernatural | Mystery | Folklore Horror
Release Date: June 23, 2023
Network: SBS / Disney+
Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Oh Jung-se, Hong Kyung
Revenant is a classy brand of horror—combining ghost possession, folklore, and a few tragic secrets from the protagonist’s family history. Kim Tae-ri is haunting as Gu San-yeong, a woman possessed by a woman seeking vengeance for the mysterious death of her father.
It’s not only a ghost story; it aims to contemplate guilt and suffering across generations. The writing from Kim Eun-hee (of Kingdom fame) adds a poetic quality that makes Revenant simultaneously scary and emotionally painful.
Rating: 9.4/10
Hauntingly beautiful — a must-watch for fans of dark folklore.
7. The Guest (2018)
Created by: Seo Jae-won, Kwon So-ra
Genre: Horror | Supernatural | Mystery
Release Date: September 12, 2018
Network: OCN
Cast: Kim Dong-wook, Kim Jae-wook, Jung Eun-chae
There’s very little as powerful spiritually horrific as The Guest. Weaving together shamanism, exorcism, and detective murder mystery elements, The Guest focuses on three interrelated people: a psychic, a priest, and a detective, who are all bound together through one evil entity referred to as “The Guest.”
The more explicit rituals, possessions, and demonic lore are visually striking and so realistically depicted you will want to have holy water by your side. It’s dark, violent, and richly symbolic—a true work of art for anyone who enjoys a view of more traditional religion-based horror with a Korean flavor.
Rating: 9.5/10
Equal parts terrifying and fascinating — the demon here will stay with you.
6. Parasyte: The Grey (2024)
Created by: Yeon Sang-ho, Ryu Yong-jae
Genre: Body Horror | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Release Date: April 5, 2024
Network: Netflix
Cast: Jeon So-nee, Koo Kyo-hwan, Lee Jung-hyun
Inspired by Japan’s classic Parasyte comic, this Korean adaptation adds emotional nuance that feels unforgettable. An alien parasite merges with a dying woman, and both fight for control of her body, with horrifying results.
Director Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan) offers jaw-dropping visuals that accommodate a narrative about human beings. The elements of action, philosophy, and horror earns Parasyte: The Grey a strong possibility of being in the running for best sci-fi horror K-drama.
Rating: 9.2/10
A mind-bending, visually stunning nightmare.
5. Hellbound (2021–2023)
Created by: Yeon Sang-ho
Genre: Supernatural | Dark Fantasy | Apocalyptic Horror
Release Date: November 19, 2021
Network: Netflix
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-joo, Park Jeong-min
What would you do if angels directly from heaven passed your death sentence — and demons executed it?
In Hellbound, gigantic, flaming beasts walk into public places to drag people to hell. Their action causes masses to go into hysteria and cultivates cult-like organizations. The grassroot effect from this event is even more terrifying than the actual monstrosity: blind faith, fear, and ludicrous ideas.
Yeon Sang-ho’s astute direction charts Hellbound into a philosophical horror around ideas of morality and punishment. You leave with every episode audibly quarrelling over what actually is “evil.”
Rating: 9.4/10
Social horror at its best — brutal, symbolic, unforgettable.
4. All of Us Are Dead (2022–)
Created by: Chun Sung-il, Lee Jae-kyoo, Kim Nam-su
Genre: Zombie | Action | Survival Horror
Release Date: January 28, 2022
Network: Netflix
Cast: Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun
This nail-biting series feels like high school Hell during a zombie outbreak. A science experiment mercilessly traps students, but things become much worse when their classmates start turning into flesh-eating zombies.
But there is much more than gore in All of Us Are dead. Friendship, sacrifice, and injustice in the face of extinction is what this series portrays. The emotional arcs hit harder than most zombie series. Season 2 is expected to release in 2026; the countdown begins now.
Rating: 9.6/10
The perfect mix of chaos, blood, and heartbreak.
3. The 8 Show (2024)
Created by: Han Jae-rim
Genre: Psychological | Survival | Horror-Thriller
Release Date: May 17, 2024
Network: Netflix
Cast: Ryu Jun-yeol, Chun Woo-hee, Park Jung-min
Think Squid Game combined with Black Mirror – that’s The 8 Show.
Eight strangers trapped in (a) mysterious building find themselves in a deadly social experiment where money = survival. Every choice turns into a horrifying moral dilemma and as greed consumes them, their humanity evaporates.
It’s not so much about ghosts, but the darkness within people – and that’s what is truly horrifying. The performances are haunting, pacing flawless and tension unbearable.
Rating: 9.5/10
Psychological horror at its sharpest.
2. Sweet Home (2020–2024)
Created by: Kim Carnby, Hwang Young-chan
Genre: Horror | Action | Monster Thriller
Release Date: December 18, 2020
Network: Netflix
Cast: Song Kang, Lee Jin-wook, Lee Si-young
In Sweet Home, the devouring human desires take monstrous forms – quite literally. Hyun-su (Song Kang), a recluse, has just moved into an old apartment complex when its inhabitants start changing into grotesque creatures, often resembling their true inner desires.
The creature designs are incredibly nightmarish, and the plot manages to balance gory elements with heartfelt reactions. By Season 3, it reaches an emotional depth about humanity, loneliness, and survival. Sweet Home shows that horror can be both tragic and beautiful.
Rating: 10/10
Emotional monster horror that redefines the genre.
1. Kingdom (2019–2021)
Created by: Kim Eun-hee, Kim Seong-hun
Genre: Historical | Zombie | Political Horror
Release Date: January 25, 2019
Network: Netflix
Cast: Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doona, Ryu Seung-ryong
Taking place during Korea’s Joseon period, Kingdom uniquely combines historical drama and nail-biting zombie horror. Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) unearths a plague turning people into flesh-eating zombies all while fighting political backstabbing back at the palace. The filming, costume design and storytelling is best described as epic!
Kingdom is not just a zombie series; it’s a political allegory about power and greed. With nearly perfect pacing and stunning visuals, Kingdom sets the benchmark for horror K-dramas.
Rating: 10/10
The undisputed king of Korean horror — intense, smart, and cinematic.
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Final Thoughts
The Korean horror genre has always taken risks: from cults to damned souls, from moral degradation to bloody beasts. These 2026 K-drama horror shows are not just about horror, but about exploring human nature, loss, and guilt through excellent storylines and immersive imagery.
If you are ready to sacrifice sleep for goosebumps, add these series to your list. Just know that in Korean horror, the monster is often inside you.
