7 Best Korean Zombie Films and Dramas You Absolutely Need to Watch in 2025
If you think zombie stories are all about gore and jump scares, Korean filmmakers are here to prove you wrong.
From nail-biting thrillers to emotional dramas and social commentaries, Korean zombie films and K-dramas have completely redefined the genre. Beneath the horror and action, these stories explore human connection, sacrifice, and survival — and that’s what makes them unforgettable.
Below are seven of the best Korean zombie titles you should watch right now.
1. Train to Busan (2016)
Before Squid Game made him a global name, Gong Yoo already had audiences gripped with his unforgettable performance in Train to Busan.
The movie opens with a haunting scene — a deer hit by a truck in a restricted quarantine zone suddenly comes back to life. Moments later, a mysterious infection sweeps across South Korea.
Gong Yoo stars as Seok-woo, a workaholic father traveling to Busan with his young daughter. When an infected passenger boards their train, the trip turns into a desperate battle for survival inside the speeding carriages.
Beneath the chaos, Train to Busan delivers a deeply emotional story about sacrifice, family, and humanity in the face of disaster.
2. All of Us Are Dead (2022)
If you haven’t seen this Netflix hit, prepare for an all-night binge.
Set in a Korean high school, All of Us Are Dead begins with a science experiment gone wrong. A teacher trying to protect his bullied son accidentally creates a deadly virus. When it escapes into the school, a normal day turns into a terrifying fight for survival.
As the infection spreads, students are forced to work together, facing impossible choices and devastating losses. The result is a gripping mix of action, emotion, and social commentary that made it one of Netflix’s most-watched Korean series.
A second season is already in development.
3. Kingdom (2019–2020)
The Show That Started the K-Zombie Craze
Before The Last of Us, there was Kingdom — a groundbreaking Netflix original that fused historical drama, politics, and horror.
Set during Korea’s Joseon era, the series follows Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) as he uncovers a deadly conspiracy surrounding his father, the king. The twist? The king has been turned into a monster by a mysterious “resurrection plant,” and the infection is spreading fast.
A Blend of Politics and Fear
Kingdom stands out for its sword fights, rich costumes, and sharp commentary on power and greed. Every episode feels cinematic, balancing political intrigue with thrilling zombie action.
By Season 2, the show takes the tension up another level — proving that Kingdom remains one of the smartest zombie stories ever made.
4. #Alive (2020)
A Modern Take on Isolation and Survival
What would you do if you woke up to find the world overrun by zombies — and you were completely alone?
That’s the nightmare facing gamer Oh Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in) in #Alive. Trapped in his apartment with no Wi-Fi, no food deliveries, and no human contact, he starts to lose hope.
Then he spots Yoo-bin (Park Shin-hye), another survivor living in the building opposite. Using drones and walkie-talkies, the two form a fragile friendship as they fight to stay alive.
The film brilliantly captures the isolation, anxiety, and loneliness that many experienced during the COVID lockdown — with the added intensity of a zombie apocalypse.
5. The Wailing (2016)
Horror with a Psychological Twist
If you love your scares mixed with mystery, The Wailing is for you.
Set in a remote Korean village, the film follows police officer Jong-goo (Kwak Do-won) as he investigates a string of brutal murders. Locals whisper about a strange Japanese man living in the woods, but the truth is far more terrifying.
A Story of Fear and Faith
As Jong-goo’s daughter begins acting possessed, he’s forced to confront demons — both literal and emotional. The Wailing blends zombies, shamanism, and exorcism into a haunting tale of superstition and panic.
At over two hours long, it’s a slow burn — but every minute keeps you guessing.
6. Happiness (2021)
Pandemic Meets Paranoia
When Happiness was first announced, many thought it would be another post-pandemic zombie story. Instead, it became one of the most human K-dramas ever made.
Set in a quarantined high-rise apartment, Sae-bom (Han Hyo-joo) and Yi-hyun (Park Hyung-sik) must survive when a new virus causes people to turn violent and bloodthirsty. The government locks down their building, forcing residents to confront not just the infected — but each other.
More Than Just Zombies
As food runs out and trust breaks down, Happiness turns into a chilling study of fear, morality, and social decay. The chemistry between the leads adds warmth, while the tension stays sky-high.
7. Newtopia (2025)
The Future of K-Zombies
The newest entry in Korea’s zombie lineup, Newtopia, stars BLACKPINK’s Kim Ji-soo and actor Park Jeong-min.
It follows Young-joo, an engineer, and her soldier boyfriend Jae-yoon, who are separated when a zombie outbreak hits Seoul. As they fight to reunite, their journey mixes dark comedy, romance, and explosive action.
Newtopia feels fresh and modern — proof that Korean filmmakers are still pushing the zombie genre in bold new directions.
Why Korean Zombie Films Keep Winning
From the emotional heartbreak of Train to Busan to the political drama of Kingdom and the teenage chaos of All of Us Are Dead, Korean storytellers know how to keep zombies fresh and meaningful.
Their films go beyond survival horror to explore love, humanity, and the choices we make when everything collapses. If you’re searching for your next binge-worthy watch, these titles are a perfect place to start.
