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Top 6 Best Supernatural Korean Dramas You Need to See

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I think we can all agree that Train to Busan was a masterpiece in foreign horror (although I’m not sure how I feel about it getting an American remake). As a member of the rage-style zombie genre, it made the idea of another zombie movie fresh, scary and heart-breaking. I don’t know about you, but after that movie, I needed a palate cleanser: enter Korean dramas.

Korean dramas are a widely untapped world of comedy, romance and even horror. Most dramas last around 16 episodes and at an hour each, it takes you on quite the roller coaster ride in story-telling. Any Korean drama fan knows the formula of the average drama and they all follow similar guidelines: first or second lead is always a chaebol, the leading lady falls for the jerkier of the two in turn changing him into a better man.

I need to mention that the acting in some of these dramas blows other actors away in emotion and realism. Some of the best actors I’ve ever seen have been in Korean dramas, including the child actors.

Every now and then you get the rarest form of Korean drama: the horror/ supernatural drama. Fair warning, even some of the scariest dramas center around a love story; it’s a cultural thing, so you take it with the package.

I’m here to open up a whole new world for you. We’re going to go over some of the best Korean dramas available to America. There are many more dramas than the ones on the list, but many aren’t available in certain countries.

The Master’s Sun

Korean Dramas

(Image credit: fanpop.com)

I have this one at the top because it was so thoroughly enjoyable. After a near death accident, a woman can see ghosts and, unfortunately for her, they all know it. They come to her at all hours of the night for help and won’t leave her alone until she gives in.

Because of this, she is exhausted and more than a little eccentric. She meets a wealthy CEO who, when she touches him, makes the ghosts disappear. Much to his dismay, this causes a tired and weird woman to follow him everywhere.

This drama is hilarious, sad, and has some impressive jump scares. It genuinely gets creepy and you really grow to love some of the ghosts and are sad to see them go. Master’s Sun is available to stream on Viki and Drama Fever.

Nightmare High/ Nightmare Teacher

Korean Dramas

(Image credit: dramakorea.web.id)

This little gem is available on Netflix currently. This was originally a webseries and clocks in with 12 pretty short episodes, but don’t let its lack of time length fool you.

This story follows a single homeroom in a high school. The teacher is out after an accident and a sub comes in with an optional job placement counseling after class. Those who go are treated with the ability to achieve the thing they want most: popularity, strength, but it all comes with a price.

This isn’t the typical drama and it is quite intense. I highly recommend this if you are looking for a scary show without the commitment. It is available on Netflix and Viki.

Oh My Ghostess

Korean Dramas

(Image credit: orionsrambling.com)

While this show might cater more to ladies or romcom lovers, it doesn’t come without a supernatural basis. A young girl dies a virgin and she refuses to move on until she has possessed a woman to seduce a man and lose her virginity.

Korean Dramas

(Image credit: akiatalking.com)

A silly premise, but how many successful American movies have been made strictly about the crusade for sex? *coughAmericanPiecough* Kim Seul-Gie is one of my favorite Korean actresses. She is hilarious and unforgettable and she kills (haha) any part she plays.

Oh my Ghostess is available on Viki and Drama Fever.

Arang and the Magistrate

Korean Dramas

(Image credit: mcordianyzone.blogspot.com)

Historical dramas are kind of hit and miss. While the history is interesting and the costumes are gorgeous, sometimes the drama can be a bit dry. But how do you make anything better? Add some ghosts to it.

This Korean drama is about a woman named Arang who has been murdered and is on the hunt for the person who killed her. She lost all memory at the time of her death but can’t move on until she finds her killer. All the while she is chased by a reaper.

The drama is based on widely known folklore during the Joseon Era in the city of Miryang. This series is a bit longer at 20 episodes and is available on Viki and Drama Fever.

Secret Investigation Files

Korean Dramas

(Image credit: outsideseoul.blogspot.com)

This is another historical drama also known as Joseon X-Files: Secret Book. The stories in this drama are based on actual historical record which makes some of the events all the more interesting.

Made to be an X-Files-esque show, a government inspector is tasked with explaining the strange and supernatural occurrences that happen in 17th century Korea. This drama received extremely high ratings for an historical drama and was critically acclaimed.

Combine your Mulder and Scully love with Korean history and you’ve hit pay dirt with this series. It is available on Drama Fever.

Goblin

Korean Dramas

(Image credit: asiaone.com)

Remember our main man Gong Yoo in Train to Busan that we all loved so much? Well, he’s back in a sweet supernatural romance called Goblin. A magnificent warrior in the Joseon period, he was killed by his own sword and with the blood of hundreds mixing with his own he becomes a goblin.

He is immortal until the woman who is to be his bride can see his sword still embedded in his body, marry him and pull it out. Doing so finally gives him the sweet release of death he’s been deprived.

Korean Dramas

(Image credit: en.yibada.com)

This one is a tear jerker from the beginning but it is beautiful, I mean TRULY gorgeous. The effects are spectacular, the story is deep and riddled with the supernatural and the acting is spectacular. After seeing him in Train to Busan, you just appreciate his talent even more.

Goblin is a Drama Fever exclusive and only available to Premium members after the first 3 episodes.

Free streaming services like Viki and Drama Fever are a great resource in finding foreign movies and television you would have otherwise missed. If you enjoy foreign TV and not just Korean dramas but others from China, Taiwan, Japan or Hong Kong, I would recommend becoming a premium member to get the most out of it.

Even with the free pass and ads, you still get massive amounts of new and up-to-date dramas, including those spooky gems hidden in the middle of a romcom.

Some honorable mentions for Korean dramas are Orange Marmalade, Vampire Prosecutor, Bride of the Century, Gu Family Book, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho and Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. Now, go and explore all that foreign TV has to offer in the creepy and paranormal.

Let us know some of your favorites from around the world in the comments.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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