Koreanhorrormovies, aptly nicknamed K-horror, fall into a unique genre that steps outside of standard Western tropes and focuses more on elements like folklore, spirituality, and psychological terror. K-horror, specifically the classics, tends to steer clear of overused tricks like jump scares, and instead builds a story that hits viewers on a deeper, more emotional level.
And yet, many classic Korean horror movies tend to get overlooked for more modern productions, likeTrain to Busan,I Saw the Devil, andThe Host. These films are successful in their own right, but feel similar to Western releases in the 2000s and 2010s. Classic K-horror movies from the 1960s to the 1990s feel more like a thriller or mystery on the surface, and contain important social commentary with a touch of horror.
Classic K-horror films are unlike any modern horror, making them perfect for horror fans. From psychedelic dreamscapes tovengeful ghost stories, here are 10 highly underrated K-horror classics, organized by release date.
17The Housemaid (1960)
The Housemaidis an iconic 1960 South Korean horror movie highlighting thedark themes of revenge, obsession, and loyalty. The film comes from the iconic director Kim Ki-young and is the first installment in Ki-young’sThe Housemaidtrilogy, featuringWoman of FireandWoman of Fire ‘82after this release.
The plot follows a pianist and husband, Mr. Kim, who’s recently moved into a new home with his pregnant wife and their children. The two decide they need help managing the house and decide to hire a maid, proving to be one of the worst decisions the couple could make. What ensues after the housemaid’s arrival is adultery, strange events, and a story with so many twists and turns it’s hard to predict just what will happen next.
The Housemaid is a Wild Horror Melodrama About Obsession
Much of the horror inThe Housemaidlies in the slow destruction of the family unit and truly showcases how successful Ki-young was at meshing different genres. There are scenes that feel like a slow-moving thriller before moving seamlessly into a social commentary of Korea in the 1960s. Just when you think you know where the story is going, it takes a completely different turn and continues to shock the audience over and over. Overall,The Housemaidis a must-watch for any fans of classic or international horror films.
16Madam White Snake (1960)
Directed by Shin Sang-ok,Madam White Snakeis another 1960 fantasy horror movie that has had a lasting impact on Korean cinema. The story is inspired by Chinese folklore, and tells of a poisonous white snake that transforms into a beautiful woman who falls in love with a young pharmacist.
The two marry and plan to spend their life together before they are faced with numerous challenges meant to tear them apart. Much of this movie plays out like a romance, but it ends up descending into a dark and twisted tale, though it is light on the horror elements as a whole. Lead Choi Eun-hie shines in her role as Madam White Snake, and her performance helps solidify the story.
A 1960s Take on a Classic Folklore Tale
The basic story behindMadam White Snakeis inspired by one of the Four Great Folktales of China, specificallyThe Legend of the White Snake. The tale dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907) and has been modified for countless stories in many different cultures throughout time. This movie changes severalparts of the original folklore, giving viewers a different conclusion than what many anticipate if they are familiar with the story.
15The Devil’s Stairway (1964)
The Devil’s Stairway, also known asThe Evil Stairs, is a 1964 mystery thriller by director Lee Man-hee. It’s another production thatshines a light on issues like morality, loyalty, and growing societal expectations in Korea during that time. It is similar to other K-horror movies of the time in that it sits light on the horror elements and focuses more on deep psychological themes.
The story follows a surgeon facing a predicament; he must kill the nurse he’s having an affair with, so he can be with the hospital director’s daughter. His actions lead to unrelenting torment and violence, all symbolized by a winding staircase as the characters travel through the events.
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The Devil’s Stairway Is a Beloved Horror Mystery
The release ofThe Devil’s Stairwaywas welcomed by audiences, helping the film receive a nomination for Best Editing at the 1965 Grand Bell Awards in Seoul. This nomination was well deserved, as it’s clear how precise and mesmerizing the editing and approach to storytelling is. This film will especially satisfy and engage fans of movies like 1955’s French horrorLes Diabolique.
14A Bloodthirsty Killer (1965)
Another 1960s K-horrorthriller that examines family dynamicsis Yong-min Lee’sA Bloodthirsty Killer. Also known asA Devilish Homicide, this movie is a combination of a ghost story and an evil mother-in-law trope that somehow manages to mix in a demonic cat for extra pizzazz.
The film starts somewhat slow and confusing, with the main character, Lee Shi-mak, stumbling upon a picture of his ex-wife at an art show. As time goes on, Lee and his family are haunted by his former partner, who makes it clear her spirit is back for revenge.
A Surreal Must-Watch Piece of Korean Film History
What setsA Bloodthirsty Killerapart from other horror movies of the time is how the entire piece feels delusional and incredibly surreal. Most scenes feel like a bizarre dream, and the atmosphere is hard to match with other releases during this decade. Otherhorror movies from the 1960s, likeCarnival of SoulsandEyes Without a Face, are comparable to this, butA Bloodthirsty Killerpresents more violence and intense imagery.
13The Public Cemetery Under the Moon (1967)
Finishing the 1960s is Cheol-hwi Kwon’sThe Public Cemetery Under the Moon, also known asPublic Cemetery. This one-of-a-kind B movie tries to execute every element in an over-the-top fashion, from the acting to the torture scene.
The story opens with a mesmerizing scene that sets the tone for the rest of the film, where viewers learn about Wol-hyang, a woman murdered by her mother-in-law and servant accomplice. The real terror starts when Wol-hyang returns for revenge against those who wronged her, though it does take some time to get through the meat of the story to the twisted ending.
A Good Old-Fashioned Tale of Revenge
One ofPublic Cemetery’sbiggest downfalls is the middle of the film, which takes far too long to progress through the complex story. However, there is a payoff for those who stick through the more dramatic middle to see the intense final scenes that help tie up loose ends in this family’s tragedy. The gore level is also impressive for the time, making this an enjoyable watch for genre fans.
12Ghosts of Chosun (1970)
Sticking with what seems to be incredibly popular genre K-horror elements,Ghosts of Chosunis a 1970 movie featuring a ghost seeking revenge, an evil ghost cat, and a plethora of bloody scenes. The movie is sometimes referred to asA Ghost Story of Joseon Dynasty,and comes from the creative vision of director Sang-Ok Shin, one of the most well-respected industry professionals in South Korea.
It’s a tragic tale set during the Chosun dynasty about a woman, Yahwa, who commits suicide after her husband is murdered for being labeled a traitor. Right before her death, Yahwa pleads with her cat to get revenge, causing the couple to return for vengeance alongside their former pet.
Ghosts of Chosun is an Underappreciated Piece of Korean Horror Cinema
What makes this movie so great is that it remains an in-your-face, gory ghost story that any horror lover will appreciate. Shin does an excellent job of developing a solid story before stepping into darker territory, as those associated with the dead couple fight to restore peace to the nation. It can be difficult to find copies of this movie, and theKorean Film Archiveholds some of the only copies of this film.
11The Man With Two Faces (1975)
The Man With Two Faces, sometimes credited asA Horrible Double Faced Man, is a haunting film by writer and director Lee Yong-min. This movie’s complex plot follows Dr. Jeong, a mad physician who wants to use corpses as vessels to bring people back from the dead.
Unfortunately for him, once the experiment is successful, he realizes he’s created a being that is separate in body and soul. This causes the undead creature to lash out and cause a path of violence and murder anywhere it goes.
From the very first scene inThe Man With Two Faces, there’s an atmosphere that feelsreminiscent of a Frankenstein-esque story. However, there are few opportunities for viewers to watch this movie, leading to it being an incredibly underappreciated piece of historical cinema.
The film received an official theatrical release in South Korea, but was only leaked once after that by the Korean Film Archive. The damage to the film affects the quality of the movie, and may contribute to why there have been no other releases.
10Io Island (1977)
The 1977 horror mysteryIoIsland, sometimes credited asI-Eo IslandorIodo, is a movie by Kim Ki-young that dares to tackle topics usually forbidden due to censorship laws. The movie begins with a man named Chun disappearing from a boat after leaving a deserted island that’s set to be turned into a tourist destination.
This tragedy caused two people to investigate the legends of the island and learn why this dark place is kept cut off from the rest of the world. Ki-young uses flashback scenes to tell the story before the mind-blowing finale that ties up the twisted tale.
Another Kim Ki-young Masterpiece
Io Islandstays on par with Ki-young’s filmmaking style, and while it’s a truly underappreciated film, the shocking finale scene is one that helped him gain cult status in the country’s cinema community. It brought important social issues to life, and made a large impact despite the somewhat limited release. The movie is held by the Korean Film Archive due to its poor quality, though it had a limited DVD release in 2012.
9Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Death (1978)
The 1978 K-horror fantasy movieWoman Chasing the Butterfly of Death, also known asKiller Butterfly, takes viewers on a trippy and bizarre ride that navigates the intricacies of life and death. The story follows a young man suffering from depression after he is almost murdered on a date.
His mental health struggles and strange relationships with a bookseller, an archaeologist, and a two-thousand-year-old spirit take the man on a weird journey that questions the value of life and discerning our dreams from reality.
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The Same Director as The Housemaid
Woman Chasing the Butterfly of Deathis one of the strangest K-horror movies from this era, though that is no surprise, as it comes from the mind of director Kim Ki-young. This film radiates Ki-young’s style, while stepping a bit further outside the box with the dreamlike sequences and hidden details that are only picked up after multiple viewings.
8Suddenly in the Dark (1981)
Suddenly in the Dark, sometimes credited asSuddenly at MidnightorSuddenly in Dark Night, is a 1981 movie by director Young Nam Ko. This Koreancult classic is a psychedelic productionwith mesmerizing cinematography, suffocating settings, and erotic undertones.
The main story is about a biology professor conducting a study on butterflies, when he meets Mi-ok, an orphaned young adult. He ends up bringing her home to work as a housekeeper, where his wife starts to become suspicious of her intentions and the reasons behind her habit of carrying around a creepy doll. The wife’s jealousy becomes too much to bear, and a war breaks out in the home.
Suddenly in the Dark Tackles Korean Social Issues of the Time
Like many Korean films of this era, the plot has undertones that touch on social issues of the time. The most prominent themes inSuddenly in the Darkare the political, social, and religious repression many people faced in South Korea during this time. The movie’s incredible score only adds to the tension and horror, making it an essential classic horror film for fans.
