Dark KDramas Like Extracurricular – Kdrama Horror and Suspense

Do you enjoy horror and suspense Kdramas like Extracurricular? Suspenseful, nail-biting, never-knowing-what’s-coming kind of stories? With the rise of streaming services, producers can now push the boundaries of television standards to create suspense dramas for every taste.

I suspect Netflix pushed for more dark and horror Korean dramas since many of these dramas were sponsored by Netflix. It may be that they also wouldn’t meet South Korean broadcasting standards. This list has some dramas that wouldn’t necessarily be considered horror dramas, but their storylines or themes are much darker than other dramas in their genres.

Check out these dark Korean dramas that will make your heart stop!

Extracurricular

Top student Oh Ji Soo (Kim Dong Hee) develops an illegal app to support himself and his future education. Several other students (Jung Da Bin, Park Joo Hyun, Nam Yoon Soo) become involved with Ji Soo’s crimes. When their identities become compromised, the police may be the least of their worries.

Kdramas like Extracurricular were fairly rare until the past few years when streaming services lessened the restrictions on Korean entertainment.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Kingdom

Kingdom nabbed massive attention for Korean dramas on Netflix. Beautifully combining the zombie horror and historical genres, Kingdom has become one of the rare Korean dramas to have more than two seasons. In the first two seasons, Ju Ji Hoon plays a crown prince trying to save his crumbling kingdom as a plague overtakes his people . In the third series Kingdom: Ashin of the North, which is a sidequel to the second season, Jun Ji Hyun plays a woman making her way south seeking vengeance against the Joseon kingdom for the massacre of her tribe.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Nightmare High

Also called Nightmare Teacher, this drama is about a teacher who offers to make student desires come true, but the students start disappearing. Nightmare High stars Uhm Ki Joon, Kim So Hyun, and Lee Min Hyuk.

Some may not like a repetitive plot device that drives the story, but Kim So Hyun’s performance in this drama got a lot of praise.

Where to Watch: Netflix or Viki

Save Me

I am not normally too squeamish, but I had to drop this drama just because it freaked me out so much. Heavily based in the psychological horror genre, Save Me is about a woman (Seo Ye Ji) whose family joins a terrifying cult. Four former classmates (Ok Taecyeon of 2PM, Woo Do Hwan, Lee David, and Ha Hwa Jung) try to rescue her, but the cult leader (Jo Sung Ha) is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the family from leaving and his control over the cult secure.

Where to Watch: Netflix

Sweet Home

I’m still a little confused by all the pandemic-themed shows that were released in the pandemic, but I guess a lot of people enjoyed them because dramas like Sweet Home were very popular for Netflix and other streaming platforms. Sweet Home has a very typical zombie apocalypse concept, but it is much more heavily character-driven than others of its genre. Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, and Lee Shi Young head up a stellar cast.

Where to Watch: Netflix

White Christmas

The 2011 drama special series is a cult favorite among Korean drama horror fans. Also called “Prison High”, White Christmas examines the nature and source of evil. Eight students become trapped in their prestigious school over Christmas break with a murderer. As students die, the others try to find the murderer and keep from being killed.

This drama propelled a number of rookie actors to fame, including Kim Woo Bin, Sung Joon, Lee El, Kim Young Kwang, Lee Soo Hyuk, Hong Jong Hyun, and Esom.

Where to Watch: Viki

Currently Airing

The Devil’s Judge

A judge (Ji Sung) battles a dystopian South Korea through a state-sponsored court reality show with severe judgments and even harsher punishments. But is he as corrupt as those he puts on trial? Also stars Park Jin Young, Kim Min Jung, and Park Gyu Young.

Where to Watch: Viki

Have other favorite dark Kdramas like Extracurricular?

This list is far from complete, so if you would like to recommend another drama in the comments, feel free!