If you’re a fan of the zombie genre and interested in watching a Korean zombie series or Korean zombie movie, then this article is perfect for you.
Korean pop culture has always been at the forefront of innovative and fresh ideas, and their take on zombies is no exception. Over the years, Korea has produced some highly acclaimed and popular zombie-themed dramas and movies.
With the increasing popularity of the genre, the country has established itself as a formidable player in the world of zombie entertainment.
Whether it’s the fast-paced action and intense storyline of a Korean zombie movie or the character development and emotional depth of a Korean zombie series, Korean productions have something for every zombie fan.
The zombie Korean drama genre has grown rapidly in popularity, with shows such as “All of Us Are Dead” and and movies such as “Train to Busan” receiving worldwide recognition and praise.
If you’re a fan of the undead, there’s no better place to start than with a Korean zombie series or movie. So, sit back, grab some popcorn and get ready to be entertained!
1. All of Us Are Dead (2022)
All of Us Are Dead is the best Korean zombie series of recent times. The series is written by Chun Sung-il and directed by Lee Jae-kyoo, Kim Nam-su.
An unsuccessful science experiment at Hyosan High School triggers a zombie invasion.
The school’s pupils transform into flesh-devouring zombies and the virus quickly spreads throughout the city. The students get trapped inside the school with no food or water.
With all communication channels severed by the government, the students must rely on the equipment at school and defend themselves against the zombie invasion.
At the same time, the military strives to keep the infection from spreading to other cities.
The series was widely acclaimed by viewers worldwide and can be streamed on Netflix. It has been greenlit for a second season.
- Yoon Chan-young as Lee Cheong-san
- Park Ji-hu as Nam On-jo
- Cho Yi-hyun as Choi Nam-ra
- Lomon as Lee Su-hyeok
- Yoo In-soo as Yoon Gwi-nam
- Lee Yoo-mi as Lee Na-yeon
- Kim Byung-chul as Lee Byeong-chan
- Lee Kyu-hyung as Song Jae-ik
- Jeon Bae-soo as Nam So-ju
Available Platform: Netflix
Release Year: 2022
No. of Seasons: 1
No. of Episodes: 12
Genre: Coming-of-age, Horror, Zombie apocalypse
Running Time: 53–72 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.5
2. Happiness (2021)
Yoon Sae Bom is a highly skilled special agent with superior reflexes and a secret talent.
She obtains a sought-after apartment for civil servants in a prime complex by pretending to marry her childhood friend, Jung Yi Hyun, who has had a crush on her since high school.
A failed pneumonia medication “Next” leads to the emergence of the “mad person disease” or Lytta Virus, causing those infected to experience blood lust and turn into zombies.
The virus spreads in the city, including the apartment complex where Sae Bom and Yi Hyun reside. Han Tae Seok, head of the task force, tries to control the outbreak and orders the apartment to be sealed.
The residents struggle to survive amid fear and distrust as they’re trapped in their building with limited resources and no news from outside.
The South Korean military and police work to stop the spread of the virus and Next through investigations and quarantine measures, but civil rights groups protest, believing the infected can still display normal human behaviour.
- Han Hyo-joo as Yoon Sae-bom
- Park Hyung-sik as Jung Yi-hyun
- Jo Woo-jin as Han Tae-seok
Available Platforms: Netflix, Viki
Release Year: 2021
No. of Seasons: 1
No. of Episodes: 12
Genre: Thriller
Running Time: 70 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.9
3. Zombie Detective (2020)
The story centers on Kang Min-ho (Choi Jin-hyuk), who wakes up to find himself as a zombie with no recollection of his past life.
To blend in with humans, he learns to act and speak like them, hides his scars with makeup, and takes on the persona of private detective Kim Moo-young.
His unique sense of smell, resulting from his condition, helps him establish himself as a leading figure in the missing person’s investigation industry.
Gong Sun-ji (Park Ju-hyun), a former investigative journalist, becomes a part-time assistant at Moo-young’s agency, and eventually learns of Moo-young’s true identity as a zombie.
Together, they work to solve crimes and uncover the mystery surrounding the existence of zombies.
- Choi Jin-hyuk as Kim Moo-young/Kang Min-ho
- Park Ju-hyun as Gong Sun-ji
- Kwon Hwa-woon as Cha Do-hyun
Available Platform: Viki, Netflix
Release Year: 2020
No. of Seasons: 1
No. of Episodes: 12
Genre: Comedy, Fantasy, Mystery
Running Time: 70 minutes
IMDb Rating: 7.4
4. Kingdom (2020)
The first season of Kingdom takes place during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, three years after the Imjin War.
Crown Prince Lee Chang and his followers uncover a mysterious disease that causes the dead to rise, while they investigate rumors of the King’s death and a potential political conspiracy.
As chaos and death spread, Lee Chang forms alliances to protect the city-state of Sangju, only to find that the plague has already evolved.
The second season focuses on Lee Chang’s efforts to stop the spread of the disease and save his dynasty from the dangerous Haewon Cho clan, who hide a dark secret.
- Lee Chang as Ju Ji-hoon
- Seo-bi as Bae Doona
- Yeong-shin as Kim Sung-kyu
- Cho Beom-pal as Jeon Seok-ho
- Lord Cho Hak-ju as Ryu Seung-ryong
- Queen Consort Cho as Kim Hye-jun
- Mu-yeong as Kim Sang-ho
Available Platform: Netflix
Release Year: 2020
No. of Seasons: 2
No. of Episodes: 12 + 1 special
Genre: Historical period, Political drama, Horror, Thriller
Running Time: 36–56 minutes
IMDb Rating: 8.3
5. Zombieverse (2023)
“Zombieverse” is an upcoming reality show located in Seoul, South Korea, following a group of individuals trying to survive amidst a zombie apocalypse.
The contestants must collaborate to find necessities such as food, water, transportation, and shelter. Each day, they are given tasks to earn supplies, but if bitten, they must be abandoned.
The filming of this new Korean zombie series has finished and the series is expected to be released on Netflix by the end of 2023.
The Korean film industry has given us some of the best zombie movies in recent years, showcasing the genre in a unique and thrilling way.
Whether you’re a fan of the classic undead horror or the new wave of zom-coms, there’s something for everyone on this list of the best Korean zombie movies.
Get ready to be on the edge of your seat as we dive into the best of the best.
10 Best Korean Zombie Movies (Upd 2023)
1. Train to Busan (2016)
Train to Busan, directed by Yeon Sang-ho is one of the best Korean zombie movies.
As a zombie outbreak occurs in South Korea, passengers face challenges while trying to survive on a train journey from Seoul to Busan.
Seok-woo is a divorced fund manager with a cynical, work-focused personality. He resides with his daughter, Su-an and his mother.
On Su-an’s birthday, she convinces Seok-woo to take her to visit her mother in Busan, leading them to board the KTX 101 train from Seoul Station.
However, an infected woman sneaks onto the train undetected, and after turning into a zombie, infects others, causing the virus to rapidly spread among the passengers. The military sets up a quarantine zone near Busan.
Among the other passengers are Yon-suk, the COO, of a high school baseball team including player Yong-guk and his girlfriend Jin-hee, the cheerleader, Sang-hwa and his pregnant wife Seong-kyeong, elderly sisters In-gil and Jong-gil, train attendant Ki-chul, and a homeless stowaway in the bathroom.
Seok-woo, Su-an, and the other passengers must now fight for their survival as the situation on the train spirals out of control.
- Gong Yoo as Seok-woo, a fund manager
- Jung Yu-mi as Seong-kyeong, Sang-hwa’s pregnant wife
- Ma Dong-seok as Yoon Sang-hwa, husband of Seong-kyeong
- Kim Su-an as Su-an, daughter of Seok-woo who wants to see her mom in Busan for her birthday.
- Choi Woo-shik as Min Yong-guk, a high school baseball player
- Sohee as Kim Jin-hee, Yong-guk’s girlfriend
- Kim Eui-sung as Yon-suk, a business executive
- Choi Gwi-hwa as a homeless man
Available Platform: Amazon Prime, MX Player
Release Year: 2016
Running Time: 118 minutes
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
IMDb Rating: 7.6
2. Peninsula (2020)
The film “Peninsula” is a follow-up to the hit movie “Train to Busan” from 2016. The story begins with a zombie outbreak happening in South Korea.
Captain Jung-seok, a Korean Marine, escorts his family members to a ship for safety.
However, an infected individual transforms into a zombie and infects Jung-seok’s nephew and sister. Jung-seok prevents Chul-min, his brother-in-law, from entering the cabin.
The film then jumps forward four years, where Jung-seok and Chul-min, tormented by guilt, are hired by Chinese mobsters for a mission.
They join forces with two other Koreans to return to South Korea and retrieve a truck filled with $20 million.
The Korean Peninsula is now a wasteland, inhabited by zombies, militias, and one family. Jung-seok and the family face the challenge of surviving and attempting to escape the peninsula
- Gang Dong-won as Jung-seok
- Lee Jung-hyun as Min-jung
- Kwon Hae-hyo as Elder Kim
- Kim Min-jae as Sergeant Hwang
- Koo Kyo-hwan as Captain Seo
Available Platform: Hulu, HiTV
Release Year: 2020
Running Time: 116 minutes
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
IMDb Rating: 5.5
3. Gangnam Zombie (2023)
“Gangnam Zombie,” a new Korean zombie movie, made its premiere in 2023.
The Gangnam district is hit with a zombie outbreak caused by a man who was bitten by a cat in a shipment of gold jewelry from China.
The man transforms into a flesh-eating zombie and begins attacking others, causing the virus to spread quickly.
Hyeon-seok, a former taekwondo champion, has just started working at a small online streaming company in a Gangnam office building.
Although he has feelings for his co-worker Min-jeong, she does not return his affections. Min-jeong is a fearless individual who always stands up against injustice.
The two must join forces to survive as they try to escape the office building amidst the zombie outbreak.
- Ji Il-joo as Hyeon-seok
- Park Ji-yeon as Min-jeong
Available Platform: HiTV
Release Year: 2023
Running Time: 81 minutes
Director: Lee Soo-seong
IMDb Rating: 3.3
IMDB Rating: 6.6
4. Rampant (2018)
Rampant period action zombie film directed by Kim Sung-hoon. In the 17th Century, Rampant showcases the conflict between Prince Lee Chung (Hyun Bin) who has been exiled and the Joseon Minister of War, Kim Ja-joon.
Meanwhile, the country is faced with a zombie outbreak. The prince takes the responsibility of leading a group of capable individuals to defeat the zombie monsters.
- Hyun Bin as Lee Chung
- Jang Dong-gun as Kim Ja-joon
Available Platform: Viki
Release Year: 2018
Running Time: 121 minutes
Director: Kim Sung-hoon
IMDb Rating: 6.3
5. Alive (2020)
#Alive is a zombie movie directed by Cho Il-hyung and released in 2020. Cho Il-hyung co-adapted the script, originally written by Matt Naylor in 2019, into his own version with Naylor’s assistance.
The film centers on the struggle of a video game streamer named Oh Joon-woo to survive during a zombie outbreak in Seoul. Oh Joon-woo is trapped in his family’s apartment and is running low on food and water.
Just as he is about to give up, he discovers another survivor in the opposite building. The two characters work together to overcome the challenges and fight for survival.
- Yoo Ah-in as Oh Joon-woo
- Park Shin-hye as Kim Yoo-bin
- Jeon Bae-soo as a masked man
- Lee Hyun-wook as Lee Sang-chul
- Oh Hye-won as the policewoman
- Jin So-yeon as Elena Kim
- Lee Chae-kyung as the zombified wife of the masked man
Available Platform: Netflix
Release Year: 2020
Running Time: 99 minutes
Director: Cho Il-hyung
IMDb Rating: 6.3
6. The Wailing (2016)
“The Wailing” is a horror movie written and directed by Na Hong-jin. The story focuses on Jong-goo, a policeman who is investigating a series of strange murders and illnesses in Gokseong, a remote village in South Korea, in order to save his daughter, Hyo-Jin.
The film begins with the arrival of a Japanese man in Gokseong, which triggers an outbreak of a mysterious infection that causes the villagers to become insane and turn on their families with violence.
With the worsening of his daughter Hyo-Jin’s illness, Jong-goo’s situation becomes increasingly desperate.
To save the village and his family, he joins forces with a shaman named Il Gwang (Hwang Jung Min) and a mysterious woman in white.
As the events unfold in the cursed village, the question remains if Jong-goo can protect the people, including his own family, from the danger that threatens them.
What makes “The Wailing” entertaining is its combination of mysteries, well-crafted characters, ghosts, zombies, body horror, and Eastern exorcism themes that all blend together to create an intriguing and suspenseful horror movie experience.
- Kwak Do-won as Jong-goo, policeman and father of Hyo-Jin.
- Hwang Jung-min as Il-gwang, a shaman hired to protect the village.
- Chun Woo-hee as Moo-myung, the woman in white.
- Jun Kunimura as a Japanese stranger.
- Kim Hwan-hee as Hyo-jin, Jong-goo’s daughter.
Available Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Release Year: 2016
Running Time: 156 minutes
Director: Na Hong-jin
IMDb Rating: 7.4
7. The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale (2019)
The Odd Family: Zombie on Sale is a zombie comedy film directed by Lee Min-jae.
The film focuses on the Park family whose normal lives are thrown into chaos when the father is bitten by a zombie.
After discovering that the zombie was the result of an unethical experiment by a pharmaceutical company, the Park family decides to take advantage of the situation for financial gain.
This movie is widely regarded as one of the best zombie comedies from South Korea.
- Jung Jae-young as Joon-gul
- Kim Nam-gil as Min-gul
- Uhm Ji-won as Nam-joo
- Lee Soo-kyung as Hae-gul
- Jung Ga-ram as Jjong-bi
Available Platform: Shudder
Release Year: 2019
Running Time: 111 minutes
Director: Lee Min-jae
IMDb Rating: 6.6
8. Seoul Station (2016)
Seoul Station is a Korean animated film that tells the story of the outbreak of a zombie epidemic in Seoul.
Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, the film is a prequel to the live-action film “Train to Busan” and takes place in and around Seoul Station.
It follows the journey of a young runaway woman, Hye-sun, as she tries to survive in a world that sees her as disposable.
The film also features a father, Suk-gyu, who is searching for his runaway daughter, and her boyfriend, Ki-woong, who tries to exploit her.
The movie received critical acclaim and was awarded Best Animated Feature Film at the 10th edition of the Asian Pacific Screen Awards in 2016.
- Shim Eun-kyung as Hye-sun
- Ryu Seung-ryong as Suk-gyu
- Lee Joon as Ki-woong
Available Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Release Year: 2016
Running Time: 92 minutes
Director: Yeon Sang-ho
IMDb Rating: 6.1
9. The Neighbor Zombie (2010)
With the outbreak of a virus that turns people into zombies rapidly spreading in Seoul, the Korean government takes drastic measures by declaring martial law in an effort to contain the spread.
However, amidst the chaos and destruction, there are individuals who are determined to provide support and aid to the affected, as they understand that these zombies are more than just carriers of the virus, but are also loved ones, friends and family members.
- Bae Yong-Geun – Yong-geun
- Hong Seo-Baek – Otaku
- Ha Eun-Jung – Eun-Jeong
Available Platform: AsianCrush
Release Year: 2010
Running Time: 86 minutes
Director: Hong Young-guen, Jang Youn-jung, Oh Young-doo, Ryoo hoon
IMDb Rating: 4.9
10. Doomsday Book (2012)
Doomsday Book is a three-part horror anthology film that presents a political satirical take on a zombie virus outbreak.
It was directed by the talented filmmakers Kim-Jee Woon and Pil-sung Yim. The three parts are:
- Wonderful New World
- Creation of Heaven
- Happy Birthday
The story A Brave New World by Pil-sung Yim, part of the three-part horror omnibus Doomsday Book, follows a nerdy scientist who unwittingly causes an outbreak of zombie infection.
The scientist throws a contaminated apple into the garbage disposal, which ends up in the feeding trough for cows.
The contaminated beef is consumed by a man at a barbecue, leading to a chain reaction of zombification through infection.
Wonderful New World Cast
- Ryoo Seung-Bum as Yoon Seok-Woo
- Koh Joon-Hee as Kim Yoo-Min
- Ma Dong-Seok as Disorderly student
Creation of Heaven Cast
- Kim Kang-Woo as Park Do-Won
- Kim Gyu-Ri as Bodhisattva Hye-Joo
Happy Birthday Cast
- Song Sae-Byeok as Min-Seo’s uncle
- Jin Ji-Hee as Park Min-Seo (child)
- Lee Seung-Joon as Min-Seo’s father
- Yoon Se-Ah as Min-Seo’s mother
- Bae Doo-Na as Park Min-Seo
Available Platform: YouTube
Release Year: 2012
Running Time: 115 minutes
Director: Kim Jee-woon, Yim Pil-sung
IMDb Rating: 5.8
In conclusion, the Korean film and television industry offers a diverse range of zombie-themed movies and series. From adrenaline-fueled “Korean zombie movies” to character-driven “Korean zombie series”, there’s something for every fan of the genre. Thanks for reading!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the best zombie Kdrama?
Best Korean Zombie Drama:
- All of Us Are Dead (2022)
- Happiness (2021)
- Kingdom (2019)
- Zombie Detective (2020)
2. What is the new Korean zombie web series?
Netflix, in collaboration with Kakoa Entertainment, is raising the bar for zombie content with the captivating reality show “Zombieverse.” The series will feature a cast of South Korean celebrities thrown into the midst of a zombie outbreak in Seoul, as they strive to survive.
3. How many zombie kdramas are there?
Best Zombie Korean Drama:
- All of Us Are Dead (2022)
- Happiness (2021)
- Kingdom (2019)
- Zombie Detective (2020)
Best Korean Zombie Movies:
- Train to Busan (2016)
- Peninsula (2020)
- #Alive (2020)
- The Wailing (2016)
4. What is the name of the Korean zombie series?
Korean Zombie Series List:
- All of Us Are Dead (2022)
- Happiness (2021)
- Kingdom (2019)
- Zombie Detective (2020)
