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One of the recent dramas based on the monster/creature genre that made waves around the globe, called Gyeongseong Creature, was released in December 2023. Starring Han So-hee and Park Seo-joon as the leads, this series tells the story of two people battling against a strange creature in a Japanese-rule period in Korea.
The rise of zombie/monster dramas has become a notable trend in South Korea, luring audiences with a unique blend of horror, suspense, and intricate storytelling. Korean filmmakers and television producers skillfully craft narratives that explore the human condition in the face of a zombie or monster apocalypse.
Themes of survival, sacrifice, and human resilience are expertly woven into the storytelling, creating a richer and more nuanced viewing experience. Additionally, the success of Korean zombie dramas has paved the way for more diverse narratives within the monster genre. Apart from the undead-humanity theme, this genre explores different forms of supernatural creatures preying upon humans.
The popularity of shows like Gyeongseong Creature and related films has sparked interest in exploring different settings, time periods, and cultural contexts, contributing to the evolution and expansion of the zombie/monster genre in Korean entertainment.
While the Gyeongseong Creature's first season was hugely applauded worldwide, its renewal for a second season was exciting news. As Gyeongseong Creature's fans cannot wait for the next season to unfold, here are five similar dramas to enjoy.
Disclaimer: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.
5 monster/zombie-themed dramas similar to Gyeongseong Creature
1) Sweet Home
Initial release: 2020
Platform: Netflix
Main cast: Song Kang, Park Gyu-young, Go Min-si, and Lee Do-hyun.
Plot Summary:
Sweet Home follows the story of Cha Hyun-Soo (Song Kang), a troubled high school student who moves to a new apartment building called Green Home. However, things take a dark turn when the residents of the building undergo mysterious transformations into monstrous creatures. The series explores themes of survival, fear, and the human condition as the characters grapple with the terrifying changes around them.
The show gained attention for its intense and suspenseful storytelling, as well as its well-executed special effects. It's known for its unique take on the horror genre, blending elements of supernatural horror with human drama. This show on the list is the most similar to Gyeongseong Creature. Its most recent season, season 2, was released on Netflix on December 2, 2023.
2) The Uncanny Counter
Initial release: 2020
Platform: Netflix
Main cast: Choi Byeong-kyu, Kim Se-jeong, Kang Ki-young, and Yoo In-soo.
Plot summary:
The Uncanny Counter revolves around a group called Counters, who work undercover at a noodle restaurant. Their mission is to hunt down evil spirits, known as "wraiths" or "demons," that have escaped from the afterlife and are possessing humans. The Counters disguise themselves as ordinary restaurant employees to carry out their duties without drawing attention.
The story primarily follows So Mun (played by Byeong-kyu), a high school student who can see a person's life expectancy as a countdown clock above their heads. After a tragic incident involving his family, So Mun crosses paths with the team of Counters: Ga Mo-tak (Yu Jun-sang), Do Ha-na (Kim Se-jeong), Chu Mae-ok (Yeom Hye-ran), and Choi Jang-mul (Ahn Suk-hwan). So Mun becomes the group's newest member and discovers his supernatural abilities.
The similarity between this drama and Gyeongseong Creature was that humans took charge of demolishing the strange creatures that evolved from someone's human form.
3) Kingdom
Initial release: 2019
Platform: Netflix
Main cast: Ju Ji-hun, Jun Ji-hyun, and Kim Hye-jun
Plot summary:
Kingdom is set in Korea's medieval Joseon period, just like Gyeongseong Creature, a period drama. This series begins with Crown Prince Lee Chang, played by Ju Ji-hoon, investigating a mysterious plague that turns people into flesh-eating zombies. The political landscape is already complex, with power struggles within the royal family, but introducing the undead threat adds a layer of urgency and danger.
As the Crown Prince uncovers the truth behind the zombie epidemic, he faces conspiracies, betrayals, and a race against time to save the kingdom from political turmoil and the zombie/monster outbreak.
4) Island
Initial release: 2022
Platform: Amazon Prime
Main cast: Cha Eun-woo, Lee Da-hee and Kim Nam-gil
Plot summary:
Island is a story of three people fighting against something horrible on the land of Jeju that wants to destroy humanity. Among these three people, Van (played by Kim Nam-Gil) learns how to fight these creatures or powers by choosing violence. He battles against evil and helps people who are possessed by supernatural entities. Even though he doesn't show his feelings, he feels terrible about what he has to do, similar to the character of Jang Tae-sang from Gyeongseong Creature.
Won Mi-Ho (played by Lee Da-Hee) comes from a wealthy family. After causing some problems in the family, she's sent to Jeju Island to work as a teacher. There, she gets involved in weird situations with these zombie-like entities. Johan (played by Cha Eun-Woo) is a priest who does exorcisms of possessed humans. His main goal is to protect life and get rid of evil.
As they face challenges on Jeju Island, the story reveals the complicated relationships between these characters and the struggle between good and evil.
5) The School Nurse Files
Initial release: 2019
Platform: Netflix
Main cast: Go Yoon-jung, Nam Joo-hyuk, Teo Yoo, and Jung Yu-mi
Plot summary:
The story revolves around Ahn Eun-young, portrayed by Jung Yu-mi, who takes on the role of a school nurse with an extraordinary ability to see supernatural entities like blobs of jellies, demons, and otherworldly creatures. These entities are drawn to the emotional residue left by humans and can be both mischievous and dangerous.
Seo In-guk plays the character of Hong In-pyo, a Chinese character teacher with unique skills. Together, they form an unlikely duo to tackle the mysterious and supernatural occurrences happening within the school. This drama uses Chinese as its second language, while Gyeongseong Creature is highly influenced by the Japanese language.
If the audience breaks away from only the monster genre like Gyeongseong Creature, there are other notable zombie movies and dramas like Train to Busan, All of Us are Dead, Happiness, etc, that the fans can enjoy and are sure not to disappoint.
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