What We Can Learn From Korean Horror | Video Essay 

What's your favorite Korean Horror movie?

American Horror Movies: *heart attack* South Korean Horror Movies: *depression*

What We Can Learn From Korean Horror? Stop overusing jump scare

American horror movie = jumped out of my seat but can have a party immediately after the movie Korean horror movie = exhausted, defeated and don't have energy to party after the movie... and lasts for several days.

I noticed that Western audiences usually criticize Korean horror because of the comedy aspect. They say it feels too out of place and jarring. That's what I found endearing about them. I think the first film I saw was The Host, which is one of the few movies I own a physical copy of, lol. Even in Western horror there are elements of comedy, but it's usually in the way of corny one liners in the beginning of the film. In Korea, they go for the gusto; nothing subtle about it. It's the dark comedy fan in me that I find myself attracted to that sort of out of place silliness. It's bizarre, it shouldn't be there because horrible things are happening but it is. The silliness makes a character more relatable: they're imperfect, just like me. They're not a 90 pound 22-year-old blond being hunted down while looking immaculate. That there is a jabroni that drops and breaks stuff all the time, that says the wrong thing by accident, that has a crappy job and a crappy diet and a crappy lifestyle with a broken family. Just like me. So when shit ends up going down you're already tied to the character with a neat little bow. You're in. Their suffering is your suffering. Comedy and bleakness are invariably tied together, just ask any comedian.

A bad horror makes you jump. A good horror makes you think.

Asian filmmakers: "I started with the image of evil approaching from far away, to show its identity to you" American filmmakers: spooky ghosts

Now Korean horror and movies are great, but if you do understand Korean, they get even better. The language, the words used give that depth, that well roundedness that makes it just so much more special

As a Korean who's grown up listening to my grandma's stories about what Korea was like during her generation, one reason I think Koreans are able to capture such a range and depth of emotional drama in film is because Korea as a nation has experienced so much deep pain, war, and strife. Koreans have experienced this so much that there's even a word for it, and doesn't have an English equivalent: "한", or (Han) which can be translated into a sense of injustice, sorrow, resentment, or grief.

The obvious hasn't been mentioned yet...but many of these Korean actors and actresses are Legit!

Tom Cruise: I WANT THE THRUTH!!!! Jack Nicholson: YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE THRUTH!!!

I often think that Koreans don't feel entitled to happiness, or even the pursuit of happiness, the way Americans do. Misery and depression are unavoidable; you just have to endure. Also eat. And laugh.

As a Korean, I used to say this to my foreign friend. "Korean culture is bloom from blood and sweat of recent Korean history" We been through dramatic 100 years like fallen kingdom, colonized, independent, separated , civil war, dictatorship and even we have been biological experimented by Japanese. So I can say Korean knows what is 'Brutal reality'

I noticed that there is a strong revenge element in Korean film's,not just horror. I once read, that revenge is often explained as a result of social anger built up in a populace by South Korea's turbulent history. I am a fan of this genre. Your explanation and narative is brilliant!

welp even without audio the ending of train to busan still makes me cry! 🙃

I love how many Korean films are consistent with a hilarious tone without diminishing any of the serious and tragic moments that happen in them.

The Wailing is so underrated. The symbolism in this film is deep. And I love director's previous work.

Wow. I don’t think I could ever watch Korean horror, I’d be so emotionally exhausted after one lol

Despair is a very accurate description to what I felt after watching train to Busan.

Korean Horror deserves to be up in there with the Italian Neorealism, French New Wave and German Expressionism. It's a movement on its own.

Comedy and horror have a close relationship I think.. Comedy allows us to approach things that are otherwise too horrifying to confront in reality. In a sense, the horror is watching the comedy become too real.

Welp... it's a country that rose from the ashes of Japan's brutal colonization and has highest student suicide rate in the world while boasting the best education level. Half of its original population is now a post modern world communist nation with nuclear weapons as its lifeline. Imagine living as an ally of U.S. and being positioned between war mongering brother nation and former slave masters. Being relatively well off economically after war yet also experiencing upper echelon depression in such a short span. This country is like a duality personified. It's only natural that its movies would embody irony and depression.

I remember watching "The Wailing". It is a gorgeous experience that feels like your melting into a wandering nightmare.

If we combined Korean writing and direction with Hollywood technology (such as CGI), the films would be unstoppable

It took me 2 movies (Mother and Parasite) to understand that the Korean-style endings were NOT what I was used to... I'm still feeling the frustration and disorientation

South Korea: Makes horror movies North Korea: IS horror movie

Korean cinema is full of jewels.

parasite is absolutely my favourite movie hands down, didn't know how to feel the entire way through and then the ending came at me all at once, felt scared, shocked, sad, relieved, lost.....

okay ngl Ive watched train to busan yesterday and let me tell you : I wasn't expecting a lot and definitely not that it's gonna be a good, worth watching movie. Especially since I don't really think Zombie movies are good and they all are usually very cringy (I didn't like the walking dead either). So I continued watching it and was like "Damn, this is actually good". I was shocked how good the acting was and how amazing the story went. Till I hit the half of the movie. That was the moment when I fell into an emotional rollercoaster. So much anger over came me, just a few seconds after that relief and sadness, anger again, happiness, fear, confusion. I was living the story and was on so much adrenaline. I can't describe my experience into words. This movie fucked my mind, ngl. Although I haven't been crying while watching the movie, I still started bawling my eyes out while the credits were showing. Quietly crying while saying nothing. I was shocked and had a loss of words. I just replayed everything in my head, every sentence that had me thinking, every sad moment and every heart warming moment. The end fucked me up. All I can say is : This movie is by far my favorite. Watch it. No matter how cliché the storyline might look, it's beyond your expectations. Please excuse my English, it's not my first language.

I love Train to Busan. It made me laugh, cry, angry and feel bad for the characters. I can’t wait for the second one

Train to Busan introduced me to Korean horror. Went back and watched The Host and Oldboy. Also got me interested in more Japanese horror. Can’t wait to watch more.

my dad would ONLY watch the korean oldboy. he wont even acknowledge the american remake

This should really be called "What Can We Learn From South Korean Cinema", which at this point in the West is everything. I'm no expert on world cinema, but for me S. Korea has been making the best films of almost any genre for more than 20 years now.

Oldboy is such a masterpiece, never has a movie made me feel that way

"Melodrama is the default narrative mode in Korean cinema..." Yup, yup, can confirm. I've only seen a couple of Korean horror movies specifically, but I've seen several other genres and yeah, they love their melodrama. But they're also really good at it.

In my country there is specific emotion we name “Han” which is sadness of missing someone and anger of unfairness. And this feeling is what we call the Korean’s best representative emotion. I guess melodrama is in our blood. Sorry for my English.

I think the contrast is effective because what they're really doing, first and foremost, is emulating real life: real life is awkward, people fumble, and extremes feel surreal because we are often naturally inclined to deny such things - especially the supernatural. The contrast between horror and natural, awkward behaviour shown through long, wide takes (such as 4:36) helps to ground the film, making the horror hit closer to home.

This I can agree on after watching just 3 Korean movies. They make me feel very very emotionally exhausted and at the end of it all I have no idea whether I should be happy or sad. Or mad

Dude, the Host is that one movie I will never get tired of. I will feel the same fear and sadness as if i watched it the first time.

Memories of Murder and The Chaser are also excellent Korean detective thriller movies that has elements of horror

"I Saw the Devil" was the first Korean film I ever saw, I had a solid idea of what you were planning on talking about instantly. Thanks for putting this into words better than I could have.

I didnt know such genre is a thing and still I'm a Korean lol. My favorite Korean Horror film is a recent one, by Bong JoonHo. Really good one, you guys must check it out. It has remarkable creepiness and a good tempo. Not a single moment was boring. Also the film nailed it -catching the contemporary social atmosphere. I could relate to it so much. That's why this film is so creepy. Highly recommended.

I really hate when horror's end with happiness, rainbows and ponies...

the wailing has messed me up. the cinematography is great really suites the story well.

*lets be all honest, we all cried when Su-Ans dad falls off the train to make sure he doesn’t infect them. If you didn’t cry I understand if you tried holding back tears, but if you never cried in train to busan.... YOUR A MONSTER*

I think Ari Aster is bringing that kind of Korean horror vibe to Hollywood. He did say he loves Korean films and he mentioned he was amazed how Koreans just mix genres and somehow make it work.

Great video. Korean horror movies are some of my favorites out there, especially The Wailing. They deserve the recognition they get. Keep up the good work.

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum is insanely well executed. That scene, out in the forest, near the end... It scared the crap out of me.

A Tale of 2 Sisters is one of the best movies ever made, it's so beautiful and horror at the same time

As a Korean girl, I always thought horror movies from my country felt so different from Western horror flicks, but I never could figure out why I felt this way. Because of your video, I can finally articulate my feelings about Korean horror, so thank you so much.

Word on contrasts. I'll always remember Memories of Murder (a thriller not horror) that starts out as some kind of cop-comedy and ends up as a very dark psychological thriller, while still making sense as a movie.

Korean horror movies linger in my mind even after I'm done watching it. I think that's what makes it scary. It kind of eats at you.

Ari Aster has clearly learned well from Korean Horror before making Hereditary and Midsommar.

funny thing is Koreans think all of them aren't horror movies 😂😂

Tale of Two Sisters is an absolute fav! So glad you mentioned it! It really keeps you think about it for weeks after

“Train to busan”is on Netflix. It is kinda scary but it is sad.

Train to Busan is still my most favorite Zombie flick.

Nice one! I love introducing my friends to foreign movies. It`s like showing them a whole new world of cinema and it always provokes a strong reaction with them because they are so used to happy endings etc. I usually start them of "light" with The Chaser (since it`s an easy thriller when it comes to following the plot) and gradually move them up to movies that require a bit more tought or repeat viewings like Old Boy.

honestly this video essay is so delightful to watch and your voice is super calming too???? rlly good

the last few minutes of the video are so soothing and insightful

Never really cared for horror movies but u make me wanna watch some of these korean movies now.

THANK YOU i really wish there is more videos about korean films, explaining them and appreciating them

This is really nicely arranged and expressed. The extremes that the stories go to definitely help to both engage and unhinge the audience. When you mentioned 'honesty', it struck me. I've noticed in a lot of Korean films there are small moments that are very truthful representations of human behavior. Little touches where someone does something not because it's rational or particularly important to the plot, but because it's the 'kind of thing people do'. An example from Sympathy for Mister Vengeance would be when Ryu is trying to decide how best to position himself to open his enemy's door. It's played comically, but watching it you feel a connection, as you realize you'd probably have the same issue. It's a small moment of discomfort that makes you relate to the character in a way you otherwise wouldn't.

That mixing genres experimentally is amazing and needs to be done more often

I've never seen korean horror movies before and now i really want to, great video

Thank you so much for covering this! I have fell deeply in love with Korean Horror movies in university and it’s great to see other people enjoying them too! I keep being blown away by Korean filmmakers and their movies. Just when I thought I’ve seen it all they come up with something new and so unsettling. Great video!!

Really nice analysis! Good job guys

Train to Busan, The Medium, and especially The Wailing are such impressive films. The character development as well as the structure of the story always leaves you thinking about the film days after, really such a unique and fun genre to watch.

OMFG U guys have some sort of... energy or thing that just keeps me glued to each and every one of your videos!!! This one is another one than makes me go wow and just WOW I love this channel!

You ended this video in the most amazing way. Your final sentence left me truly speechless, I had never interpreted film that way but.... wow...

Wow! I watched the movies you've with exception of Two Sister and you did a great of explaining the horror that is felt after watching those movies.

Always there with a quality analysis. Thanks!

YAS! My absolute favorite is a Tale of Two Sisters! I loved Soumi and how she interacted with her family and what the monster was really about. So well done.

When I watched The Host, I have no expectations whatsoever. My intention was just to pass some time and maybe have a nap while it's playing, but boy was I in for a surprize. I was so confused at the beginning (not knowing whether I'm watching a comedy or a horror movie) and when it ended, I felt so exhausted. All the movies mentioned here doesn't have happy endings, but they have the best endings ever.

Train to busan is horror but it is so sad. It really gets to your emotions and it’s a damn good movie. I can’t bare to watch it again because of the impact it has. If you don’t watch movies because of a language barrier then you’re missing out

I have such an appreciation for Korean Horror films. I really love The Host, as it was my first Korean Horror film. I'm so happy that someone else can also really appreciate these films

Thank you for taking the time out to actually untangle the motivation of my love for Korean horror movies... Every single point made is accurate especially more because I am familiar with three of these movies... The most defining aspect of the video that resonated with me was the connection to S/korea's tumultous past that had a lot of unhappy endings so to speak... I am going to refer pple to this video to teach them how unique Korean cinema is overall.. Thank you so much🙌

I like that South Korean horror (and other movies and documentaries) kinda helps me to peg me down from the sort of image Kpop and the public tv give foreigners of South Korea. As this happy-go-lucky place... Nothing is clean and censored, rather gritty and honest, as it should be.

It’s also because of their culture that brings them to this level. It’s beautiful and tragic. It’s one of my fav genres, I absolutely love Korean horror, drama, thrillers, and obsessed with k drama shows. American horror movies are so cheesy and will always give a decent happy ending. Korean horror gives an ending that will leave you in shock and they don’t care about you feeling great. They want you to feel something, the tragedy of the protagonist.

I've never felt obliged to like a video like i did for this video. Great effort

I didn't expect to see Train to Busan on here, good work on the video

Fine. Now I am crying because I was reminded of Train to Busan. I recommend it to almost everyone any chance I get. My favorite movie. My mom couldn't keep watching it and had to leave for a bit. The tension in it really adds to it as well as the fact that you only really learn about what's going on through the perspective of the main characters. It makes you feel very close to them and experience their uncertainty.

3 weeks in since you released this video cant wait for the next one !

I've watched this video almost 5 times now. Thank you!

Korean thrillers are something else. Oldboy, I Saw the Devil, and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance are some of the few that really messed me up after. I'm glad you'll cover it soon.

Good video but truth isn't spelled 'thruth'. Can you fix that?

You're soothing to listen to, even if talking horror! I also notice you don't push all of your videos past the 10 mark. Definitely subscribing, and thanks for the content.

This was so well done! I agree with so many things and I can tell you really did your research. You just got a new subscriber

This applies to Korean cinema overall, action, drama, comedy, not just horror. There's no nihilism, no cynicism or irony. It's always human-focused and sincere.

This video surmises why I love Korean films so much, particularly horror. Well done.

Great video!! My favorite thing about Korean horror is how the story is never what you expect it to be. It's never straightforward and even when I rewatch the movies, I discover new information that I didn't notice the first time around. Even if the movies themselves are not "scary", it always leaves me feeling strange at the end of them. Definitely my favorite genre!

What an amazing review/video. I keep coming back to it after watching every movie from the list. Despite going past the spoiler warning, I'm glad I did, as it allowed me to be even more curious about it and actually MADE me watch the films you talk about. This comes from an horror enthusiast, and I honestly can tell these movies have indeed nailed it. My personal favorites so far are The Wailing and Train to Busan. The only one left is A tale of two sisters. Thanks a lot for your vids man, they surely are amazing and tremendously well done/written. Keep up the excellent work!

There are South Korean exchange students at my school and I like discussing South Korean films with them sometimes

I saw the devil! Damn that's still hurt knowing we lose everything we had, just for a moment of sweet revenge

thank you for your videos and also for adding the movie titles on the screen.

this is literally the genre i've been searching for since i read something similar, will prob enjoy this genre allot

I'm actually watching a Korean Horror series at the moment (Strangers from hell) and it combines a lot of points you were making in your video. The hilarioius elements combined with obvious and underlaying horror, slowly creeping up to you. It's very well done and I recommend it to anyone. Otherwise I really enjoy Train to Busan and "Kingdom", which is also one of the best Zombie series ever done! I'm gonna watch some of your recommendations next :D Thanks for the video!

As a Korean, I want to add my little opinion: all of those films (even the thriller films) are 100% reflecting ACTUAL Korean society, it is REALITY in my country, even the ghosts lol. Yes, I do understand literature reflects its society, but it is hard for foreigners to understand Korean films. It is a very much fun thing finding out every little component inside the film needs more Korean-cultural thinking process. For example, the Wailing - the director has chosen Japanese actor as a villain (I don't know the proper term, unfortunately) because that CAUSES Koreans innate (mostly historical) fear and disorientation, which it is mentioned in this video - the villain looks ordinary man doesn't look like evil. It reflects Koreans' separated judgments against Japanese: are they reliable?. I am not pointing out the current politic situation going on both countries. What I want to say is - the gimmick made the viewer (mostly Korean at the time) struggle to figure out is the man (villain) trust-worthy. One other example, The Host. THAT FILM, OMG.. hen the film was premiered in my country. The film got into a furious controversy: The movie is too much addressing social issues such as pollution, incompetence of the upper class, and mostly South Korea's minor but traditional (weird to say but true) anti-America metaphor inside the film. At that time, There were severe issues occurred relating America not only the government at that time was representing nationalism which can be simply put pro-North Korea but also there was an incident caused by the US military in South Korea. Also, the main cause of the film: chemical disposal by "The US ARMY," that looks clearly shows that the monster in the movie represents the US, which divides the family even death. In the end, those family members which consists of ex-activist (Molotov cocktail is one of the symbols of South Korea's activist reminiscences) reunited and fought off the monster-The US. That is why the Host is referred to as a masterpiece in Korean movie history also got its notorious back in the time. I think this video pointed out certain good points about maybe only one thing that I love in this country. I just wanted to a little bit of ingredient that can make you guys more enjoyable :).

As a Korean studying to be a movie director, I thoroughly enjoyed this video. I really appreciate your content. Thank you :)

So happy you included the Wailing. I just can't get away from that flick. Its so damn good