Want More Bong Joon-Ho Horror? These 5 K-Dramas Will Fill That Void

It hasn't even been a whole month since Mickey 17 theater release, yet Bong Joon-Ho is already teasing us with his next project. And it will be a horror that's been sitting in a drawer for way too long. In an interview to MBC Korea, he said:

“That's kind of like my life project. I've been thinking about it since 2001.”

Since 2001?! That's been 24 years already, so waiting another couple of years is not going to be that hard. Yet I know that the anticipation might just drive you mad. Of course we can rewatch The Host the unthinkable amount of times, but we also crave that novelty we can't get through a movie we have already seen.

That's exactly why today I'm taking you through 5 amazing K-Drama horrors that can make the wait less painful.

The Wailing (2016): The Folk Stories That Become Your Worst Nightmare

This rural nightmare will make you think twice about welcoming strangers into your home.

A peaceful village suddenly turned upside down by a mysterious illness that transforms people into something not quite human anymore.

In this masterpiece, a police officer finds himself way over his head investigating a series of bizarre deaths and violent outbursts plaguing his once-quiet village. When his own daughter becomes infected, it's all or nothing.

Like Bong's best works, The Wailing excels at mixing genres and making you really root for its characters. The Wailing's atmospheric dread is an unforgettable viewing experience and a true must-watch for all the fans of slow-burning suspense.

Catch it now completely free of charge on Hoopla and Kanopy. And make sure you've got something cheerful lined up to watch afterward (trust me, you'll thank yourself later).

Hide and Seek (2013): Your Apartment's Never Felt Less Safe

Still feel safe in your home? Well, things are about to change after watching Hide and Seek.

This urban thriller taps into very real anxieties about housing and class warfare. And I bet that already sounds familiar (looking at all of my Parasite fans out there).

Directed by Jung Huh, the story follows a well-off businessman investigating his brother's disappearance, only to discover a hidden world of home invasions and desperate souls living literally within the walls of apartments.

Like Parasite's careful social exploration, Hide and Seek transforms familiar environments into something very terrifying. It makes you think and doesn’t give you everything right away.

You can watch it right now for free on Plex. Just maybe not right before bed.

Thirst (2009): Dark Romance for the Ages

Thirst is a nightmare that was brought to us by the director behind Oldboy, Park Chan-wook — so if you still enjoy Oldboy’s thrill and twists, go for it.

A priest becomes a vampire through a medical experiment gone wrong is already a premise worthy of checking out.

It is a vampire horror with a deep exploration of morality, desire and what it means to be human. As our vampire-priest struggles with his newfound bloodthirst and forbidden love, we get treated to some seriously gorgeous cinematography and intense emotional drama.

Song Kang-ho (who you might recognize from a lot of Bong's projects) absolutely kills it in the lead role. And I would recommend Thirst just for his performance alone. Yet there’s so much more to the movie that you should look forward to.

You can find this bloody gem on Fandango at Home, Amazon Video and Apple TV+.

I Saw the Devil (2010): Revenge Served Hot

I Saw the Devil pushes the revenge thriller into previously uncharted territory.

After the secret agent's fiancée falls victim to a serial killer, he begins his revenge that involves repeatedly capturing and releasing his prey. It is an unflinching examination of violence's psychological toll. Like Memories of Murder, it forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about justice and humanity.

Choi Min-sik delivers a bone-chilling performance as the killer. And Lee Byung-hun matches that energy perfectly as our revenge-driven agent.

I Saw the Devil is available free of charge on Hoopla, Kanopy and Plex. This one deserves as many rewatches as you can give it.

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003): Skeletons in the Family Closet

Before K-horror became so popular, this psychological thriller set the bar for what the genre could achieve.

Following the reunion of two sisters, the film presents a complex story of family trauma, supernatural occurrences and psychological warfare.

A Tale of Two Sisters knows exactly how to get under your skin without relying on jump scares. Instead, it builds tension through its gorgeous cinematography and haunting performances.

Director Kim Jee-woon has created a masterpiece that'll have you questioning reality right alongside the characters.

You can catch this mind-bending classic on AMC+.