Michael A. Appel 
We are all Dead is the latest K-drama to hit Netflix, ranking first on the platform’s Global Top 10 list just a day after its release. The show isn’t South Korea’s first zombie title; the country has been praised for its zombie apocalypse-themed movies and series over the years. For those who liked to watch we are all deadwe’ve rounded up six titles to add to your watchlist.
Our picks include the now classic Train to Busanwhich received a sequel and even an American remake following its success, as well as that of Netflix Kingdom, set in the Joseon Dynasty. Elsewhere we highlight newer releases such as Joy.
Keep scrolling for some of South Korea’s best zombie movies and TV shows.
Joy (2021)
To throw: Han Hyo-joo, Park Hyung-sik
Where to watch: Rakuten
Joy is not your typical zombie show. The series is set in the near future, where “Next”, a failed cure for COVID-19, unleashes a contagious new virus called “Rita”. The disease causes people to experience extreme rage and bloodlust, leading them to a zombie state for a time. Reflecting today’s actual pandemic, residents of an apartment complex are required to follow quarantine measures to contain the outbreak.
#Living (2020)
To throw: Yoo Ah-in, Park Shin-hye
Where to watch: netflix
Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in) is a video gamer stuck alone in his apartment in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. He manages to get in touch with one of his neighbors, Yoo-bin (Park Shin-hye), who works with him to find food and more survivors in the building. Eventually they try to get to the roof to be rescued by the military.
sweet home (2020)
To throw: Song Kang, Go Min-si, Lee Do-hyun, Lee Si-young
Where to watch: netflix
sweet home is not necessarily a zombie series – the show takes place in an apocalyptic world invaded by mysterious monsters. Based on a webtoon of the same title, it opens with Hyun-soo (Song Kang) moving into an old building. Hyun-soo is trapped with the rest of the residents after noticing monsters have invaded the world.
Kingdom (2019)
To throw: Ju Ji-hoon, Doona Bae, Ryu Seung-ryong, Gianna Jun
Where to watch: netflix
Kingdom stands out from this list in that it is set during the Joseon dynasty in Korea. A mysterious plague breaks out, bringing the dead back alive. In the show’s second season, the disease makes its way to neighboring provinces as Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) tries to contain the outbreak to save his people.
Train to Busan (2016)
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To throw: Gong Yoo, Don Lee, Jung Yu-mi, Choi Woo-shik
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, netflix
Train to Busan is one of South Korea’s most iconic zombie titles, with its success leading to a sequel titled Peninsula and even a american remake. Directed by Yeon Sang-ho (Hell), the film takes place on a bullet train from Seoul to Busan. Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) boards the train with his daughter Su-an (Kim Su-an) only to find halfway through that a zombie apocalypse is breaking out in the land.
Seoul Station (2016)
To throw: Ryu Seung-ryong, Shin Eun-kyung, Lee Joon
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Seoul Station is an animated prequel to Train to Busan which was released less than a month after the hit film. The story centers around three main characters, including Suk-gyu (Ryu Seung-ryong), who is on the hunt for his runaway daughter Hye-sun (Shim Eun-kyung).
