Zombie movies have been a popular genre in the film industry for many years, and Korean cinema has produced some of the best zombie movies of all time. With their unique storytelling style and impressive visuals, Korean zombie movies have captured the attention of audiences worldwide. In this article, we'll take a look at the top 10 best Korean zombie movies of all time.
10. Rampant (2018)
This movie is a fictional period piece set in the Joseon dynasty, similar to the Kingdom k-drama. The story follows the exiled crown prince Lee Chung, played by Hyun Bin, as he fights against the Joseon minister of War, Kim Ja-joon, played by Jang Dong-gun. Political issues reach their climax as a zombie apocalypse threatens the country. The crown prince seeks to purchase military firearms from Europe, but instead encounters zombies known as 'night demons'. When a Jonseon soldier is bitten by the creatures and returns to his village, he infects everyone else.
Like the zombies in Kingdom, these creatures are repelled by sunlight and drawn to human flesh and blood. They are also attracted to sound, and can only be stopped through decapitation or stabbing through the heart. While the movie received mixed reviews, it offers an entertaining watch and a suitable alternative to the Kingdom k-drama, though it falls short of matching the show's excellence.
9. The Cursed: Dead Man’s Prey (2021)
Directed by Kim Yong-wan and written by Yeon Sang-ho, this film is an extended version of The Cursed k-drama series. However, viewers can still enjoy it as a standalone movie, as it works as a sequel to the series. The film received mixed reviews from critics. While some praised the superb action sequences and the deviation from the thriller approach, others criticized the story and writing as weak. The film starred Uhm Ji-won, Jung Ji-so, and Oh Yoon-ah.
The story follows a girl on a mission to uncover the truth behind a series of murders. She focuses on a specific set of cases and tries to find the killer. However, she soon discovers that the killer is actually a corpse that has been resurrected for the second time.
8. The Sadness (2021)
Despite being of Taiwanese origin, this film deserves a spot on the list due to its unique take on the Body Horror genre that also involves a dangerous virus turning people into violent, rabid creatures. The movie marks the feature film directorial debut of Canadian filmmaker Rob Jabbaz who wrote and directed the film. The story revolves around a young couple, Jim (played by Berant Zhu) and Kat (played by Regina Lei), who are going about their everyday routine when a virus outbreak turns their city into a chaotic apocalypse.
Jim witnesses an elderly woman assaulting customers in a coffee shop, while Kat is attacked by infected individuals on a train. The couple tries to find their way back to each other amidst the chaos, but the situation takes a gruesome turn as the infected individuals derive sexual pleasure from creatively violent acts. The film received praise for its ability to disturb viewers in the most brutal manner possible.
Although it falls into the Body Horror genre, the movie is unique in its portrayal of a virus outbreak and the violent tendencies of those infected. The film has been well received for its innovative take on the zombie genre and its ability to shock audiences with its extreme displays of gore.
7. Doomsday Book (2012)
Kim Jee-Woon and Yim Pil-sung co-directed this science-fiction anthology film that comprises three short tales. The first story, A Brave New World, follows Yoon Seok-woo, a research scientist who accidentally triggers the spread of a virus that turns people into flesh-eating zombies after he disposes of a rotten apple in his family apartment. The second film, The Heavenly Creature, is a philosophical exploration of whether a robot can achieve enlightenment.
The third and final tale, Happy Birthday, revolves around a dysfunctional family struggling to survive during an apocalypse caused by a comet resembling the damaged 8Ball that Park Min-Seo (played by Jin Ji-hee) had disposed of two years earlier. The film has received praise for its stunning visual effects and originality in presenting three distinct stories in a single film.
6. Alive (2020)
Directed by Cho Il-hyung, this 2020 film is an adaptation of Matt Naylor’s script titled Alone. The movie features Yoo Ah-in as Oh Joon-woo, a gamer who finds himself trapped in his apartment during a zombie apocalypse that has taken over the city. Joon-woo is cut off from the world with no access to the internet to contact his family, leaving him to fend for himself. Along the way, he meets Kim Yoo-bin (played by Park Shin-Hye), who uses her skills to help him survive in a world overrun by flesh-eating zombies.
The film, which premiered on Netflix, received positive reviews from critics, who commended its unique take on the zombie genre. It also received praise for its ability to combine horror and comedy effectively, keeping the audience on the edge of their seats while also providing moments of levity. The film is a thrilling and terrifying ride through a world filled with danger at every turn, making it a must-watch for fans of the zombie genre.
5. Peninsula (2020)
Directed and co-written by Yeon Sang-ho, this film serves as a sequel to the 2016 hit Train to Busan, yet it can still be enjoyed on its own. The story takes place four years after the events of the first film, in which a former soldier sets out on a dangerous mission to retrieve a truck filled with money from the now overrun Korean peninsula. This is because the survivors of the zombie outbreak have become refugees in other countries, and the money could change their lives forever.
Gang Dong-won stars as the lead character, and while the film didn't quite live up to the high expectations set by its predecessor, it still managed to offer a thrilling and action-packed adventure that explores the depths of human depravity during an apocalypse. Despite receiving mixed reviews, Peninsula remains one of the best Korean zombie movies of all time.
4. The Wailing (2016)
Na Hong-jin's South Korean horror film, "The Wailing," was both a critical and commercial success, receiving universal acclaim with a 99% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The film's fantastic storytelling and visual effects earned it high praise, with one critic even suggesting that it made American cinema seem "clunky and unimaginative" in comparison. Despite its lengthy runtime, the movie's consistent plot twists and supernatural elements help to keep the audience engaged.
Kwak Do-won stars as Jong-goo, a police officer trying to save his daughter, Hyo-jin (played by Kim Hwan-hee), from a mysterious illness that has taken hold of her. Jong-goo investigates a series of bizarre murders as a virus spreads through the remote Korean village of Gokseong. By the end of the two-and-a-half-hour runtime, viewers will undoubtedly be left with chills. Horror and zombie enthusiasts alike will find "The Wailing" to be a must-see, cementing its place as one of the best Korean zombie movies of all time.
3. Seoul Station (2016)
This animated film, awarded Best Animated Feature Film, serves as a prequel to the events of Train to Busan (2016) and is titled Seoul Station. It explains how the zombie apocalypse began to spread in South Korea and mainly takes place around the titular station. The film was praised for its thrilling journey through its zombie-infested world and the inclusion of many societal issues prominent in South Korea, such as prostitution and homelessness. The film stars Shim Eun-kyung, Ryu Seung-ryong and Lee Joon as the leading roles.
Seoul Station follows three individuals who find themselves in and around the station as the virus begins to spread. A runaway woman is trying to escape her life as a prostitute, and her father is searching for her to find out whether she is alive and well. With the help of the man who had previously pimped her out, he is able to locate her. It is important to note that this is an animated film and not a live-action like all the other movies included on this list.
2. The Odd Family: Zombie for Sale (2019)
This zombie comedy film directed by Lee Min-Jae follows the dysfunctional Park family who run their business in a small town where the population is dwindling as most residents are elderly. When a zombie stumbles into town and bites the family's grandfather, he regains his youth, and news quickly spreads.
The family takes the zombie in, and one member sees an opportunity to charge residents for a bite from the zombie. As the family grows closer to the zombie and teaches it how to act human, chaos ensues when the bites start turning everyone into zombies, leading to a full-blown apocalypse in Korea. It was tough to decide whether this movie should make the first or second spot on the list, but regardless, it is one of the best Korean zombie movies to date.
1. Train to Busan (2016)
Directed by Yeon Sang-ho, Train to Busan is widely considered as the best Korean zombie movie ever made. The film features Gong Yoo as Seok-woo, a selfish businessman who takes his young daughter Su-an (played by Kim Su-an) to see her mother in Busan on her birthday. When a virus outbreak turns people into zombies, they must band together with other passengers on a high-speed train to survive.
The film has been praised for its remarkable storytelling amid the zombie apocalypse, with an incredible character development arc for Seok-woo. The performances of the entire cast are also lauded. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end, cementing its place as not only the best Korean zombie movie but also one of the best zombie movies of all time.