Best Korean Zombie Movies To Watch. The Korean film industry continues to delight audiences. Korea is known for its excellent dramas, but it also produces a good number of zombie films. The Korean zombie movie trend began with the 2016 film “Train to Busan,” which was seen by over 11.5 million people and became the 11th highest-grossing film in South Korea, according to the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).
Train To Busan (2016) is exported to 160 countries. The film’s popularity predicts Korean zombie films’ global success. Since then, Korean zombie films have gained international attention. Korean zombie films have stunning, emotional cinematography and a well-written script. Don’t miss the thrilling adventure in Korean zombie movies if you’ve never seen them.
Here We provide the best Korean zombie movies to watch if you enjoy thrilling films.
Korean Zombie Movies to Watch: Train To Busan (2016)
Movie: Train To Busan (English title) / For Busan (literal title)
Korean Tittle: 부산행 (Busanhaeng)
Director: Yeon Sang-Ho
Writer: Park Joo-Suk, Yeon Sang-Ho
Producer: Lee Dong-Ha, Kim Yeon-Ho
Cinematographer: Lee Hyung-Duk
World Premiere: May 2016 (Cannes Film Festival)
Release Date: July 20, 2016
Runtime: 118 min.
Genre: Action / Suspense-Thriller / Train / Zombie / Award Winning
Distributor: Next Entertainment World
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
Train To Busan Synopsis
Seok-Woo (Gong Yoo) is a Seoul-based fund manager. Soo-An, his daughter, lives with him after he split from his wife. Not much time is spent with his daughter or showing her love by Seok-Woo. Before her birthday, Soo-An insists on seeing her mother. There is nothing Seok-Woo can do but bring her to Busan. A KTX train departs Seoul Station for Busan the following morning.
A girl who looks like a zombie board the KTX train just as it is about to depart from Seoul Station. A horrible virus has infected the girl, and it’s spreading like wildfire. If they don’t make it out of this train alive then they’ll have to fight for their lives like everyone else on board.
Train To Busan Cast
Gong Yoo as Seok-Woo
Jung Yu-Mi as Sung-Gyeong
Ma Dong-Seok as Sang-Hwa
Kim Soo-Ahn as Soo-An
Kim Eui-Sun as Yong-Suk
Choi Woo-Sik as Young-Gook
Ahn So-Hee as Jin-Hee
Jang Hyuk-Jin as Ki-Chul
Shim Eun-Kyung as stowaway
Train To Busan Review
“Train to Busan” has a mix of action scenes and emotional stories. Seok-woo’s character who was originally described as an indifferent person has now turned into a selfless father and fights for his son and others.
All characters have different and unique stories. Throughout the film, their stories intertwine with each other as they struggle together to survive. Even though “Train to Busan” is a zombie movie, it has a moral message. Empathy is highlighted throughout the film through the appearance of characters helping and self-sacrificing. The film is also full of thrilling action and a well-written storyline.
Train To Busan Awards
The film Train to Busan which was released on July 20, 2016, managed to earn a profit of USD 92.7 million or around 1.3 billion, the film which has a duration of 118 minutes also managed to achieve a rating of 7.6/10 on IMDb and a score of 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Train to Busan also won an award at the 20th Fantasia International Film Festival. This film by the talented director Yeon Sang-Ho won not only one, but two cool awards at once. Among them are the Audience Award for Best Asian Feature and the Cheval Noir Award for Best Feature from the judges.
Reportedly, Train to Busan managed to attract the attention of foreign production houses (Hollywood 20th Century Fox, Sony Pictures, as well as Gaumont, Canal Plus, and Europacorp to make a remake version.
The Wailing (2016)
Movie: The Wailing
Korean Tittle: 곡성 (Goksung)
Director: Na Hong-Jin
Writer: Na Hong-Jin
Producer: Lim Min-Sub, Seo Dong-Hyun, Kim Ho-Sung
Cinematographer: Hong Kyung-Pyo
Release Date: May 12, 2016
Runtime: 156 min.
Genre: Mystery / Thriller / Award Winning
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
The Wailing Synopsis
A mysterious and violent death plague suddenly strikes a peaceful village. The deaths are attributed to poisonous wild mushrooms, say cops. Officer Jong-Goo (Kwak Do-Won) learns of a mysterious Japanese man (Jun Kunimura) who lives nearby. The rumor points to the Japanese man as the mysterious and violent killer. On duty, Jong-Goo meets Moo-Myeong (Chun Woo-Hee). She tells Jong-Goo she saw the Japanese man. Doubts about the man start to fade.
Hyo-Jin, Jong-Goo’s daughter, develops the same crazed symptoms as the other villagers. Jong-Goo loses hope. Himalayan mountains are his destination. His mother-in-law hires a shaman, Il-Gwang (Hwang Jung-Min), to exorcise Hyo-Jin. Death lingers in the air.
The Wailing Cast
Kwak Do-Won as Jong-Goo
Hwang Jung-Min as Il-Gwang
Jun Kunimura as Japanese man
Chun Woo-Hee as Moo-Myeong
Kim Hwan-Hee as Hyo-Jin
The Wailing Review
“The Wailing” encapsulates the complete horror element. In this film, the audience can witness ghosts, zombies, and terrifying legends. This film has a lot of surprises in the story, terror, and a scary atmosphere. The zombie aspect in this film may not be too much. However, the presentation of the mysterious storyline and the gloomy cinematography can immerse the audience in the conflict of the story.
RAMPANT (2018)
Movie: Rampant (English title) / Outbreak (literal title) / Rage (literal title)
Korean Tittle: 창궐 (Changgwol)
Director: Kim Sung-Hoon
Writer: Hwang Jo-Yoon
Producer: Yoon Suk-Dong, Kim Nam-Soo
Cinematographer: Lee Sung-Je, Moon Yong-Goon
Release Date: October 25, 2018
Runtime: 121 min.
Genre: Period / Action / Zombie
Distributor: Next Entertainment World
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
Rampant Synopsis
Lee Chung (Hyun-Bin) is a Joseon Prince held hostage by the Qing Dynasty. Indulge in his vices: booze, women, He’s a great swordsman. Lee Young succeeds to the throne, bringing Lee Chung to Joseon. He returns after a decade. Lee Chung will soon face nightmarish monsters.
Rampant Cast
Hyun-Bin as Lee Chung
Jang Dong-Gun as Kim Ja-Joon
Jo Woo-Jin as Park Jong-Sa
Jeong Man-Sik as Hak-Soo
Lee Sun-Bin as Deok-Hee
Kim Eui-Sung as King Lee Jo
Jo Dal-Hwan as Monk Daegil
Kong Jung-Hwan as Kim Wi-Jang
Rampant Review
“Rampant” offers a zombie story with an interesting historical setting. While the previous films were set in a post-apocalyptic future, “Rampant” provides a unique perspective with limited equipment to fight zombies. In the film, Ganglim’s character develops from a party-going and indifferent person to a warrior who cares about the people. “Rampant” stars Hyun-Bin, Jang Dong-Gun, Jo Woo-Jin, and Jeong Man-Sik.
The Odd Family: Zombie On Sale (2019)
Movie: The Odd Family: Zombie On Sale (English title) / Strange Family (literal title)
Revised romanization: Gimyohan Gajok
Hangul: 기묘한 가족
Director: Lee Min-Jae
Writer: Lee Min-Jae
Producer: Lee Ji-Yeon, Lee Chi-Bum, Park In-Jung
Cinematographer: Jo Hyung-Rae
Release Date: February 14, 2019
Runtime: 112 min.
Genre: Comedy / Zombie
Distributor: Megabox Plus M
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
The Odd Family: Zombie On Sale Synopsis
Man-Deok (Park In-Hwan) owns a gas station in a rural village. Joon-Gul (Jung Jae-Young), Min-Gul (Kim Nam-Gil), and Hae-Gul are his three adult children. Man-Deok dreams of spending the rest of his life in Hawaii.
Joon-Gul, the eldest child, is married to Nam-Joo (Uhm Ji-Won). He adores his family, but he never expresses his feelings to them. Meanwhile, Min-Gul is the family’s middle child. In his family, he is the only one who has graduated from a university. He is fired from his job and returns to his hometown. In addition, Hae-Gul is the family’s youngest child.
Unexpectedly, a strange man (Jung Ga-Ram) appears in the village of Jung Ga-Ram. Man-Deok’s family, as well as the entire village, has been thrown into turmoil as a result of him.
The Odd Family: Zombie On Sale Cast
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
Park In Hwan as Man Deok
The Odd Family: Zombie On Sale Review
“The Odd Family: Zombie On Sale” is suitable for all ages to watch because there are not too many horror and violent scenes. The film begins with suspenseful zombie action combined with entertaining humor. The consistent cuteness has to do with the uniqueness of the storyline and the great performance between the cast. One of the funniest scenes is when zombies are being chased by humans, which is very different from other zombie movies where humans are being chased by zombies.
ALIVE (2020)
Movie: Alive
Korean Title: 살아있다 (Salaidda)
Director: Jo Il-Hyeong
Writer: Matt Naylor, Jo Il-Hyeong
Producer: Oh Hyo-Jin, Lee Yoo-Jin, Kim Sae-Mi
Cinematographer: Son Won-Ho
Release Date: June 24, 2020
Runtime: 98 min.
Genre: Zombie
Distributor: Lotte Cultureworks
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
Alive Synopsis
A mysterious virus infects a city, causing the city to spiral out of control as a result of the infection. Despite being separated from those infected by the virus, Joon-Woo (Yoo Ah-In) and Yoo-Bin (Park Shin-Hye) struggle to survive in an apartment complex away from those infected by the virus. Everything, including the internet, phone, and electricity, has been turned off in and around the apartment building.
Alive Cast
Yoo Ah-In as Oh Joon-Woo
Park Shin-Hye as Kim Yoo-Bin
Jeon Bae-Su as mask man
Lee Hyun-Wook as Lee Sang-Chul
Alive Review
While watching this film, you may find yourself in conflict, nervous, and tense. Through this zombie film, viewers are taught to appreciate and empathize, no matter how small or big. The importance of survivability is also highlighted in the film.
Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021)
Drama Special: Kingdom: Ashin of the North
Korean Tittle: 킹덤: 아신전 (Kingdom: Ashinjeon)
Director: Kim Sung-Hoon
Writer: Kim Eun-Hee (webcomic & screenplay), Yang Kyung-Il (cartoon)
Network: Netflix
Episodes: 1
Release Date: July 23, 2021
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
Kingdom: Ashin of the North Cast
Gianna Jun as Ashin
Kim Roe-Ha as Ta-Hap
Jeon Su-Ji as Ashin’s mother
Kim Dam-Ho as Ashin’s brother
Kingdom: Ashin of the North Review
Regarding zombies, one that the audience is definitely waiting for, Kim Eun-hee (Scriptwriter) with Director Kim Sung-hoon again presents the undead aggressively, wildly, and full of blood, which can satisfy fans.
Apart from that, one thing that really caught my eye was the smooth transition from young Ashin to adulthood. It was a scene worth re-watching.
Just one small note for this special episode, which is dark. Most of Kingdom: Ashin of the North scenes are shown in a dark or low light setting. So, the eyes need to work hard, especially when watching scenes at night.
Overall, I also agree with Kim Eun-hee’s decision to make Ashin of the North a special episode, not a separate season. In that way, the audience can know the history of the outbreak in a concise, clear, and concise manner.
Korean Zombie Movies to Watch: Peninsula 2020
Movie: Peninsula
Korean Title: 반도 (Bando)
Director: Yeon Sang-Ho
Writer: Yeon Sang-Ho
Producer: Kim Yeon-Ho
Cinematographer: Jung Ki-Won, Lee Hyung-Duk
Release Date: July 15, 2020
Runtime: 116 min.
Distributor: Next Entertainment World
Genre: Action / Drama / Zombie
Language: Korean
Country: South Korea
Peninsula Synopsis
The story takes place four years after the film “Train to Busan.” People on the Korean peninsula who have survived the devastation of the zombies are fighting for their lives.
Peninsula Cast
Gang Dong-Won as Han Jung-Suk
Lee Jung-Hyun as Min-Jung
Peninsula Review
Most of Peninsula’s scenes take place on the highway. Director Yeon Sang-ho has previously stated that the film will be filled with street chase scenes and action like summer blockbusters. A car chase with a dystopia background in the city of Seoul makes Peninsula at first glance look like Zombieland: Double Tap or a combination of Fast & Furious and The Walking Dead.
Another difference is the portrayal of the characters in the two films. If Train to Busan focuses on Gong Yoo, Ma Dong-Seok, and Jung Yu-mi, Peninsula divides evenly among all the protagonists and even the antagonists.
However, one thing that really stands out and becomes the similarity between Train to Busan and Peninsula is the gathering of a group of people who then slowly become a family because of the situation at hand.
Broadly speaking, Peninsula is a completely different film from Train to Busan. However, this film can still be enjoyed, entertained, and still provides tension in some scenes.
Consequently, which Korean zombie movies to watch, in your opinion, is the most exciting?
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Korean Best Zombie Movies To Watch compiled by sparklingboy.
