5 K-Dramas, Movies That Center Around Cults & Supernatural Phenomena: 'Save Me,' 'Sweet Home,' More [Updated 2023]
There's no doubt that South Korea's entertainment has produced top-notch mystery-suspense series, and not to mention the most incredible thriller TV shows and movies of all time. "Squid Game" and "Hellbound" made waves globally with their spine-chilling scenes that indeed kept the viewers wanting for more.
As the whole world waits for the much-awaited sequels of these two thrillers, here are 5 K-dramas and films that depict cult and unexplainable supernatural phenomena.
'Save Me'
Starring Seo Ye Ji, Woo Do Hwan, Ok Taecyeon, Jo Sung Ha and more, "Save Me" is based on the webtoon titled "Out of the World" written by Jo Geum San.
The 2017 Kdrama follows the story of a family whose business went bankrupt, prompting them to relocate to a town named Muji-gun.
With no friends and relatives in the area, the family of four began to make memories in their new home.
Unfortunately, when Im Sang Mi (Seo Ye Ji) and her family faced another hurdle in their life, Goosunwon's Spiritual Father, Baek Jung Ki (Jo Sung Ha), offered to help them and introduced them to the group.
However, the family is slowly getting caught up in a mysterious pseudo-religious cult; this is where Im Sang Mi's newfound friends tried to save her.
'Strangers from Hell'
Released in 2019, the psychological thriller showcased a different kind of horror as it features serial killers and creepy neighbors living at Eden Residences. With its stunning cinematic flair, "Strangers from Hell" gave viewers a whole new level of fear.
In the K-drama, Im Si Wan took on the role of Yoon Jong Woo, a 20-something aspiring crime writer who had just moved to Seoul.
Struggling to make ends meet, he lived in a dirt-cheap dormitory Eden Residences, where he met strange neighbors, including the creepy dentist Seo Moon Jo, played by Lee Dong Wook, who became oddly obsessive towards Yoon Jong Woo.
'The Wailing'
One of the all-time favorite supernatural thriller movies is "The Wailing," starring Kwak Do Won, Chun Woo Hee and Hwang Jung Min.
Helmed and written by "The Yellow Sea" and "The Chaser" director Na Hong Jin, "The Wailing" is his third movie that entered the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.
Set in a small village called Gokseong, police officer Jong Goo investigates the bizarre cases and deaths that suddenly occur in a once peaceful town.
The deaths are linked to poisonous wild mushrooms, making an infected person become violent and kill their families.
Oddly enough, the series of bizarre situations happened when a Japanese man arrived at a little village and this is where Jong Goo began his speculations.
'Kingdom'
One of Netflix's blockbuster series is "Kingdom," which stars Ju Ji Hoon, Bae Doona, Kim Sung Gyu and Ryu Seung Ryong.
The story revolves around a mysterious plant that brought the plague to hundreds of residents during the Joseon era.
At the height of the mysterious plague, Crown Prince Lee Chang faced wrong accusations by Chief State Councillor Cho Hak Joo, declaring him as a traitor.
In hopes of clearing his name and saving the whole from the plague, the Crown Prince, together with his trusty aid, finds the possible cure.
'Sweet Home'
Another hit Kdrama from Netflix is "Sweet Home" with lead stars Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Do Hyun and more.
It revolves around the supernatural events that transpired in Seoul.
Green Home Mansion Apartment residents were trapped and struggled to survive as they witnessed the supernatural phenomenon dominated by creepy monsters.
