A 3 to 5 minute read on exactly what the title says
It’s officially the last week of October with Halloween being a few days away. Even though Halloween looks different this year, the experience of indulging oneself with a scary movie or two remains untouched.
I adore a good scary movie be it a psychological thriller, an 80s horror cult-classic, or a shut-one-eye, jump out of your seat scary one. My all-time faves? Asian horror films; specifically, those that are South Korean or Japanese. It’s rare I see a movie in this genre that truly freaks me out and captures my full attention. Perhaps I’m biased being half Asian, these movies have a certain finesse and mastery that elevates them above the rest.
Fun fact: Several American horror movies/thrillers are remakes of South Korean and Japanese movies.
Now, let’s get to the list!
Train to Busan
Zombie apocalypse. Stuck on a train. A (very handsome) man trying to save his daughter. Train to Busan is a 2016 film that’s Korea’s first internationally recognized take on the zombie apocalypse genre and it’s definitely worth the watch! Aside from a handful of episodes from The Walking Dead series, this is the only zombie apocalypse movie to take me through a range of emotions from fear, to sadness, brief relief, and claustrophobia. Train to Busan is touted as one of the best movies in this genre, and for good reason. It kept me on the edge of my seat with my heart racing.
Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube
Ringu
Did you know The Ring is a remake of the original Japanese horror movie called, Ring (Ringu)? If you thought the American version was scary, you may not want to watch the original as it is MUCH more terrifying! Ringu was released in 1998 and based on the 1991 novel by Kôji Suzuki.
In short, it’s about a super creepy, seemingly nonsensical tape (yup, good old VHS) that mysteriously appears out of nowhere. Whoever watches this tape is cursed by the vengeful spirit that “created” it, having 7 days to live after it has been watched.
Fun fact: I like to play pranks and scare people. I did this to my roommates in undergrad all the time. I truly don’t know how I have friends! Anyways, after this movie came out, once I knew someone watched it, I’d call their dorm room (yes, these were the actual landlines) and whisper, “Seven days”. I’d also, on occasion, comb my hair totally over my face, turn off the lights, and stand in the middle of the room when I knew they were coming back. I have issues.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube, Netflix
Forgotten
Wow. This movie is SO good! It had me captivated from the start and the twist is just incredible. This has officially been added to my all-time movie favorites list.
Forgotten is a 2017 South Korean psychological thriller/horror movie directed by Jang Hang-jun. It’s not scary in the haunting by ghosts sense, more so it truly is psychological in nature.
The premise: A family (two brothers along with their parents) move into a new house. One night, the younger brother – Jin-seok – sees his older brother, Yoo-seok, being kidnapped on the street by unknown persons. 19 days later, Yoo-seok returns to their home, but something just seems off about him to his younger brother. I’ll stop there…trust me, it’s worth the watch!
Where to watch: Netflix
The Wailing
Murder. Illness. Rural, secluded town. The Wailing is a 2016 South Korean film that leaves you feeling like you know what’s happening, then you don’t, then you question if you want to keep watching, and then you get to the last 30 minutes of the movie and you’re hooked.
In short, murder and a mysterious illness wreak havoc on a secluded town. It follows a police officer and his family in pursuit of figuring out what’s going on. Fun fact: The director, Na Hong-jin, spent 6 years working on this movie!
Where to watch: Amazon Prime, YouTube, iTunes
A Tale of Two Sisters
This is the OG of K-horror movies with a masterful plot twist. A Tale of Two Sisters is a 2003 South Korean psychological thriller directed by Kim Jee-woon. The name pretty much sums up the plot: It’s a movie about two sisters – one of whom was recently released from a mental hospital – and their relationship with their cruel stepmother…and the ghosts that haunt their home. Of any movies on this list, this is the one to watch!
Where to watch: Amazon Prime
Other Notables
- Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
- The Mimic
- The Closet
- Loner
- Cinderella (2006)
Are you a fan of K-horror and/or Japanese horror films? Which are your faves? Share here in the comments or on the corresponding IG post!
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