Be it the IU starrer classic Hotel Del Luna or the popular A Korean Odyssey, these best horror comedy K-drama shows laugh in the face of fear as their protagonists battle supernatural threats in style.
Leading the list is the IU starrer 2019 classic Hotel Del Luna. With themes of fantasy, comedy and horror, it is a lighthearted tale of a ghost’s quest to offer dead people a pleasant afterlife. According to Nielsen Korea, one of the highest-rated K-dramas, the critically acclaimed horror-comedy garnered a 12 per cent finale viewership rating.
Talking about her most memorable moment from the show in a tvN interview, IU said, “There are many scenes [in the drama] that I love, so it’s hard for me to choose one. The most memorable one for me was that ending scene in particular.”
Another Korean gem that makes it to the list of the highest-rated horror comedy shows is the 2020 K-drama The School Nurse Files. Starring Jung Yu-mi and Nam Joo-hyuk, it is based on the 2015 award-winning novel School Nurse Ahn Eun-young by acclaimed author Chung Serang.
Meanwhile, the So Ji-sub and Gong Hyo-jin starrer series Master’s Sun perfectly blends romance, horror and comedy. One of the most popular Korean shows ever, according to Nielsen Korea, Master’s Sun recorded an average viewership rating of 17.2 per cent after its finale episode on 3 October 2013.
These best horror comedy K-drama titles will keep you hooked
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IMDb rating: 6.3
Directed by: Lee Kyung-mi
Cast: Jung Yu-mi, Nam Joo-hyuk, Lee Joo-young, Go Yoon-jung
Episodes: 6
Approx. duration per episode: 1 hr. 5 min.
Synopsis: High school teacher Eun-young (Jung) has a special ability to locate and destroy fantastical creatures called jellies. One day, she comes across Chinese teacher Hong In-pyo (Nam), who, similar to her, is immune to jellies. The duo soon get to work together when paranormal activities within the premises affect the school’s peace.
About the show: It is a Korean drama adaptation of the award-winning novel of the same name by acclaimed Korean author Chung Serang.
IMDb rating: 6.8
Directed by: Lee Jae-hoon and Kang Soo-yeon
Cast: Choi Daniel, Park Eun-bin, Lee Ji-ah
Episodes: 32
Approx. duration per episode: 35 min.
Synopsis: Lee Da-il (Choi) is a private investigator who deals with ghosts. Sun Woo-hye (Park) is a mysterious woman who appears at all of Da-il’s crime scenes. Yeo-wool (Lee) is Da-il’s assistant whose hidden agenda is to solve her younger sibling’s death. When the trio’s lives get entangled due to a crisis, a riotous series of events follow.
IMDb rating: 7.3
Directed by: Shim Jae-hyun
Cast: Choi Jin-hyuk, Park Ju-hyun, Tae Hang-ho
Episodes: 24
Approx. duration per episode: 30 min.
Synopsis: A dead Min-ho (Choi) returns to life as a zombie due to mysterious circumstances. Determined to solve the mystery of his past, he trains himself in human qualities and assumes the identity of Detective Moo-young (also Choi). But chaos ensues when his new assistant and former investigative journalist Sun-ji (Park) discovers his secret. Will Min-ho be able to achieve his goal now?
IMDb rating: 7.6
Directed by: Park Joon-hwa
Cast: Taecyeon, Kim So-hyun, Kwon Yul
Episodes: 16
Approx. duration per episode: 1 hr.
Synopsis: Park Bong-pal (Taecyeon) is a young exorcist who can see and hear ghosts. One day, the female ghost Hyun-ji (Kim) meets Bong-pal and begs him to send her to the afterlife. The latter then strikes a deal with her. Hyun-ji must first team up with Bong-pal and help him send other spirits to the afterlife before he frees her.
About the show: It is based on the webtoon Let’s Fight, Ghost by Iminsu.
IMDb rating: 7.6
Directed by: Park Jin-suk
Cast: Jang Na-ra, Jung Yong-hwa, Kang Hong-suk
Episodes: 16
Approx. duration per episode: 1 hr. 10 min.
Synopsis: Honest exorcist Ji Ah (Jang) is the owner of Daebak Realty, a real estate agency that specialises in selling haunted houses by freeing them of ghosts. One day, she crosses paths with a con man, In Beom (Jung). He proposes they team up and only sell houses haunted by evil spirits. Will the two opposites be able to do business together?
IMDb rating: 7.9
Directed by: Park Hong-kyun, Kim Jung-hyun and Kim Byung-soo
Cast: Son Oh-gong, Lee Seung-gi, Cha Seung-won, Oh Yeon-seo
Episodes: 20
Approx duration per episode: 1 hr. 20 min.
Synopsis: Oh-gong (Lee) is an otherworldly being whose sole purpose on Earth is to attain invincibility. Soon, he comes across Jin Seon-mi (Oh), a woman with the ability to see ghosts. Things take a chaotic turn when Seon-mi suspects Oh-gong of being a ruthless murderer. With the latter now keeping an eye on Oh-gong’s every move, will he be able to fulfil his goal on Earth?
About the show: It is an adaptation of the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng’en.
Master's Sun (2013)
IMDb rating: 8.1
Directed by: Jin Hyeok
Cast: So Ji-sub, Kong Hyo-jin, Seo In-guk
Episodes: 17
Approx. duration per episode: 1 hr. 2 min.
Synopsis: Tae Gong-shil (Kong) is tormented by her ability to see ghosts. One day, she comes across Joo Joong-won (So), a money-minded CEO, and is shocked to realise that he has a calming effect on her. As the duo starts spending time together, Joong-won shows Gong-shil a light-hearted way of dealing with the spirits.
IMDb rating: 8.1
Directed by: Oh Choong-hwan
Cast: IU, Lee Do-hyun, Yeo Jin-goo, Shin Jung-keun, Bae Hae-sun
Episodes: 16
Approx. duration per episode: 1 hr. 20 min.
Synopsis: Korea’s hotel Del Luna is home to mysterious CEO Jang Man-wol (IU), who is tied to the hotel for eternity due to a past mistake. Chung Myung (Lee), a thousand-year-old firefly, is her loyal guard. However, the playful dynamic between Man-wol and Chung starts changing with the arrival of the hotel’s new manager, Chan-sung (Yeo).
(Hero and Featured image credits: IMDb)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Some of the best Korean horror comedy dramas are 'The Ghost Detective', 'Hotel Del Luna', 'Bring It On, Ghost', 'Master's Sun' and 'A Korean Odyssey'.
Some of the top Korean horror movies are 'Exhuma', 'The Wailing', 'Train to Busan', 'Memories of Murder', 'Burning' and 'Saw the Devil'.
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Sushmita Mahanta
Digital Writer (Growth) - Entertainment
Sushmita is a writer with a passion for crafting engaging and informative stories. An avid fan of K-pop and K-dramas, Sushmita mostly writes about Korean culture and entertainment. When not writing, you can find Sushmita dancing, reading, collecting books, learning about fashion, art, motion pictures, and appreciating BTS.
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