Summary
- K-dramas like "The Guest" offer a supernatural thriller after "Sweet Home" with unique horror elements.
- "The Uncanny Counter" presents a found family theme and great action for fans of "Sweet Home."
- "Gyeongseong Creature" explores historical and human themes like "Sweet Home," making it an ideal next watch.
After the release of Cha Hyun-su (Song Kang) and the Green Home apartment complex residents, who become caught up in the middle of an outbreak that sees humans turn into monsters. However, Hyun-su's situation is complicated by Sweet Home's monster virus as he realizes he has the usual symptoms but can somehow control the monsterization process.
Sweet Home quickly became one of Netflix's best K-dramas after its initial release in 2020, before it continued its story of monsters and humans through two more seasons. Though Sweet Home's later seasons never reached the same critical acclaim as its first, it's still a great post-apocalyptic K-drama that hosts a great ensemble cast. Sweet Home's impact on the international K-drama scene cannot be understated, and many other K-dramas have similar themes and storylines to the smash hit that makes them a perfect next watch following its ending.
K-dramas Perfect To Watch After Sweet Home |
IMDB Rating |
|---|---|
Kingdom |
8.3 |
Son: The Guest |
8.1 |
Squid Game |
8.0 |
The Uncanny Counter |
8.0 |
Happiness |
7.8 |
Hell is Other People |
7.8 |
All of Us Are Dead |
7.5 |
Gyeongseong Creature |
7.3 |
Parasyte: The Grey |
7.1 |
Hellbound |
6.6 |
Sweet Home Season 3 Ending Explained: What Happens To Cha Hyun-su
Sweet Home season 3, episode 8 concluded the Netflix K-drama with an action-packed finale full of twists and bittersweet moments involving Hyun-su.
10 Son: The Guest
Starring Kim Dong-wook, Kim Jae-wook & Jung Eun-chae
Son: The Guest
- Release Date
- 2018 - 2018-00-00
Cast
Kim Dong-wookYoon Hwa Pyung-
Kim Jae-WookChoi Yoon
-
Jung Eun-chaeKang Gil Young
-
Park Ho-sanDetective Go Bang Sang
Son: The Guest (2018) is a South Korean supernatural thriller series. It follows a psychic, a priest, and a detective who forces to battle evil spirits that prey on humans. The trio delves into disturbing cases stemming from demonic possessions and ancestral curses, unraveling dark secrets and confronting their own inner demons. The series combines elements of horror, crime, and drama to create a chilling narrative.
Son: The Guest, better known as The Guest, is a supernatural thriller that is a nice change of pace for Sweet Home fans while remaining within a similar genre. While Sweet Home focuses more on the threat of monsters who were previously human, The Guest sees priest Choi Yoon (Kim Jae-wook), psychic Yoon Hwa-Kyung (Kim Dong-wook), and detective Kang Kil-young (Jung Eun-chae) forces to fight against evil spirits that prey on humans. What unfolds is a story that is certainly scary, but also deeply moving.
The Guest's focus on friendship and relationships is the real appeal of this thriller K-drama. Though there are scary moments, The Guest strives away from convention to develop a story that is wholly entertaining from start to finish. Much like Sweet Home, The Guest has a great production value that enhances the K-drama and, combined with a beautifully written script, makes it a K-drama that is perfect to watch after Sweet Home's final season.
9 The Uncanny Counter
Starring Jo Byeong-kyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong & Yeom Hye-ran
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The Uncanny Counter
- Release Date
- 2020 - 2023-00-00
Cast
-
Jo Byeong-gyu
-
Yoo Joon-sang
-
Kim Sejeong
-
Yeom Hye-ran
WHERE TO WATCH
The Uncanny Counter is a South Korean television series that follows a group of demon hunters called Counters, who disguise themselves as employees in a noodle restaurant to track down and banish evil spirits.
- Seasons
- 2
Like many shows from South Korea, The Uncanny Counters is a K-drama based on a webtoon. Starring Jo Byeong-kyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong and Yeom Hye-ran, The Uncanny Counters focuses on a group of individuals known as "Counters" who aim to capture and banish evil spirits that have escaped from the afterlife. The story heavily focuses on So Mun (Jo Byeong-kyu) who is the newest addition to the team of Counters and his journey into accepting his new life and the strange powers that come with it.
Themes of found family are prominent in The Uncanny Counter, as these individuals are thrust together to do the bidding of their partners in the afterlife. However, The Uncanny Counter's themes of desire make it a perfect follow-up to Sweet Home as the evil spirits depicted in the sci-fi K-drama enhance a person's desire to kill. Along with this, The Uncanny Counter has great performances from its leading cast and incredible action scenes, making it a K-drama that should not be missed.
8 Gyeongseong Creature
Starring Park Seo-joon & Han So-hee
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Gyeongseong Creature
- Release Date
- December 22, 2023
- Directors
- Chung Dong-yoon, Roh Young-sub
- Writers
- Kang Eun-kyung
Cast
-
Park Seo-joon
Han So-hee
WHERE TO WATCH
Gyeongseong Creature is an action horror-thriller television series that Kang Eun-kyung and Chung Dong-yoon created for Netflix. Set in 1945 during the Japanese occupation of Korea, Jang Tae-Sang, a wealthy informant in the heart of Gyeongseong, and Yoon Chae-ok, a highly skilled investigator, come together to face a literal creature created from the cumulative greed of humanity.
- Seasons
- 2
Gyeongseong Creature is one of 2024's best K-dramas, and it shares a lot of the same themes as Sweet Home. Both K-dramas focus on a mysterious monster-based threat, and while Gyeongseong Creature's is confirmed to be a result of human experimentation, the source of Sweet Home's viral outbreak is never revealed. However, Gyeongseong Creature's historical setting adds a new layer of intrigue to the series, as it focuses on the real-life atrocities of Imperial Japanese Unit 731 during the Japanese occupation of Korea.
Although the source of Sweet Home's viral outbreak is never confirmed, it is implied to have been a result of Dr. Lim's experiments. Another theory is that the virus is supernatural.
Gyeongseong Creature's all-star cast led by Park Seo-joon and Han So-hee and incredible production value make it an excellent addition to any K-drama watchlist. Plus, the confirmation of Gyeongseong Creature's different season 2 setting means that there will be plenty more of the monster-based thriller K-drama to enjoy soon. The new season also is confirmed to take place in the present day, making it an ideal next watch after Sweet Home.
7 Parasyte: The Grey
Starring Jeon So-nee, Koo Kyo-hwan & Lee Jung-hyun
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Parasyte: The Grey
- Release Date
- April 5, 2024
- Directors
- Yeon Sang Ho
- Writers
- Ryu Yong Jae, Yeon Sang Ho
Cast
-
Jeon So Nee
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Koo Kyo Hwan
WHERE TO WATCH
"Parasyte: The Grey" imagines a world where alien parasites begin taking over human hosts, blending horror with psychological drama. The story follows a young man who forms a symbiotic relationship with his alien parasite, leading to a morally complex journey as they confront other parasites threatening humanity. This adaptation adds a unique twist, focusing on the grey areas of survival, identity, and the essence of being human.
- Seasons
- 1
Parasyte: The Grey has a very similar concept to Sweet Home and is perfect for fans who loved its tale of monster invasions over zombies. Based in the same universe as Parasyte: The Maxim (2014), Parasyte: The Grey works as a stand-alone addition to the series. It focuses on the invasion of parasites in South Korea rather than Japan and sees them turn humans into emotionless hosts. It is not tied to the Japanese movies Parasyte Part 1 (2014), Parasyte Part 2 (2015), and the anime
Parasyte: The Grey's Jeong Su-in (Jeon So-nee) shares a lot in common with Sweet Home's Cha Hyun-su. Like Hyun-su, Su-in is infected by a parasite, but they exist in a symbiotic state that allows Heidi (the parasite) to protect Su-in whenever she feels threatened. Similarly, Parasyte: The Grey is a decidedly human tale. The development of Jeong Su-in's characters builds a much-needed human connection to the story while also giving it a basis for some great action scenes that help to bring this strange tale to life.
6 Hellbound
Starring Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-joo, Park Jeong-min, Won Jin-a & Yang Ik-june
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Netflix's Hellbound is a Korean Drama and Dark Fantasy series that is directed by Yeon Sang-ho and based on his graphic novel, The Hellbound Volume 1. The series takes place in a modern fantastical version of Korea in which strange creatures pick and choose individuals to send to Hell.
- Seasons
- 2
Hellbound is another resounding success for Netflix's K-drama slate, with the supernatural K-drama even suring the likes of Squid Game as it became an overnight international sensation. Hellbound's premise is the same as the webtoon it's based on and sees an otherworldly being known as an angel begin to condemn people to Hell. However, their fate could see them wait seconds or even years.
While Hellbound may be a divisive watch, its success certainly cannot be denied. Hellbound has been nominated for 14 awards to date, with actress Lee Sae-rok being the show's stand-out star with an impressive 4 wins for her role as Park Jung-ja. Lee Sae-rok would also go on to star as one of Sweet Home 2's best new characters, Chief Ji, and unite these two projects with her effortless portrayal of complex characters. However, fans of Sweet Home will ultimately enjoy Hellbound's supernatural elements and its unique storyline to match.
5 Squid Game
Starring Lee Jung-jae, Jung Ho-yeon & Park Hae-soo
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Squid Game
- Release Date
- 2021 - 2025-00-00
- Network
- Netflix
- Showrunner
- Hwang Dong-hyuk
Cast
Lee Jung-jaeSeong Gi-hun / 'No. 456'-
Jeon Young-sooGame Guide
WHERE TO WATCH
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 about financially struggling individuals who are invited to participate in a series of children's games. The competition offers a lucrative prize but comes with perilous consequences, as the players soon discover the lethal stakes involved in each round.
- Seasons
- 3
Squid Game's second season is one of the most anticipated K-dramas of 2024. The thriller K-drama rose to the top of Netflix's charts with its story of contestants fighting for survival through brutal children's games. Much like Sweet Home, Squid Game's story was deeply human and came with devastating consequences for its leading character, Sung Gi-hun (Lee Jae-joon). Though little is known about the story of Squid Game season 2, it has been confirmed that two of Sweet Home's cast will star in its next installment.
Along with returning cast Lee Jae-joon, Wi Ha-joon, and Gong Yoo, Sweet Home alum Park Gyu-young and Lee Jin-uk will be ing the cast of the thriller K-drama. Little is known about the roles they will have in the show. However, their performances as Yoon Ji-su and Pyeon Sang-wook/Nam Sang-won in Sweet Home make them perfect additions to Squid Game's cast. Park Gyu-young and Lee Jin-uk will be ed by an array of veteran and new stars that ensure Squid Game's second season is just as well anticipated as Sweet Home's.
I Can’t Wait To See This Rising K-Drama Star In Squid Game Season 2
Park Gyu-young has blown audiences away with brilliant performances in the K-dramas Sweet Home and Celebrity. Now she’s coming to Squid Game season 2.
4 Hell Is Other People
Starring Im Si-wan, Lee Dong-wook & Lee Jung-eun
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Hell Is Other People
- Release Date
- 2016 - 2018
- Network
- OCN
- Directors
- Lee Chang-hee
- Writers
- Jung Yi-do
Cast
-
Im Si-wanSeo Moon-zo
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Lee Dong-wookByeon Deuk-jong
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Cha Rae-hyungYoon Jong-woo
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Kim Han-jongEom Bok-soon
Hell Is Other People is a South Korean psychological thriller that centers on Jong-Woo, a young man who relocates to Seoul for a new job and moves into a run-down apartment complex. Directed by Lee Chang-Hee, this series unravels as Jong-Woo encounters unsettling and mysterious neighbors, gradually becoming entangled in the eerie happenings within the building. The show delves into themes of paranoia and the darkness of human nature.
- Seasons
- 1
Also known as Strangers From Hell, Hell is Other People is an incredible psychological thriller that does not fail to impress. Complete with an all-star cast including Misaeng's Im Si-wan, Goblin's Lee Dong-wook and Parasite's Lee Jung-eun, Hell is Other People's captivating story that focuses on Yoon Jong-woo's and the creepy residents of Eden Studio. Though it does not necessarily include the monsters that Sweet Home has become known for, it is a great character study and an enticing psychological thriller full of amazing performances from its cast.
Unlike Sweet Home, Hell is Other People begins slowly. However, when it does pick up its speed, it does so with a ferocious intensity that makes it hard to forget. Every episode is full of intense and engaging scenes that ultimately enhance the K-dramas shock factor and the creepiness it has become well known. As such, fans of the thriller aspects of Sweet Home should not miss one of South Korea's best thriller K-dramas to date.
3 Kingdom
Starring Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doo-na & Bae Seung-ryung
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Based on the webtoon The Kingdom of the Gods, Kingdom is a 2019 South Korean historical drama-horror series created for Netflix. Lee Chang, the crown prince of a fictional interpretation of 16th-century Korea, is forced to stand in for his ailing father as a plague begins to ravage their homeland, all while fighting off would-be-usurpers to the throne.
- Seasons
- 2
As Netflix's first original K-drama series, it's safe to say that Sweet Home couldn't have succeeded without the critical success of Kingdom. Kingdom weaves a zombie outbreak within a historical context, creating an incredibly enticing story that spans two seasons as well as a spin-off, Kingdom: Ashin of the North. Starring the likes of Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doo-na and Bae Seung-ryung, Kingdom is an intense yet short series that shows South Korean horror at its very best.
Though Kingdom ultimately took the title as Netflix's first original K-drama, it was not the first to be commissioned. This award goes to the romance K-drama Love Alarm, which was released just over six months after Kingdom in August 2019. Coincidentally, Love Alarm also stars Sweet Home's leading actor, Song Kang, and began his reign as the "Son of Netflix".
Like many K-dramas of the genre, Kingdom is much more than a simple zombie story. Political and social context is woven throughout the series, thanks to a deftly written script from writer Kim Eun-hee. Mixed in with the dark undertones of Korean royalty, Kingdom takes a genre that South Korea is well known for and elevates it to new heights with its exceptional production, making it perfect for fans who want to enjoy something new.
2 Happiness
Starring Han Hyo-joo & Park Hyun-sik
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Happiness (2021) is a South Korean drama series directed by Ahn Gil-ho. Set in a post-apocalyptic world plagued by a deadly virus, the plot centers around a group of people quarantined in an apartment complex as they navigate survival and psychological challenges. Park Hyung-sik and Han Hyo-joo lead the cast, portraying characters who face moral dilemmas and societal breakdowns while striving to maintain their humanity.
- Seasons
- 1
Happiness takes the best things about Sweet Home's first season and pushes it to the next level. Much like Sweet Home, Happiness focuses on the outbreak of a mysterious virus and its effects on the residents of a single apartment block. However, instead of turning people into monsters, they turn into zombies which makes for some incredible action scenes, particularly by the leading couple Yoon Sae-bom (Han Hyo-joo) and Jung Yi-hyun (Park Hyun-sik).
Happiness's concept is relatively simple, yet it has a lot to say. While it primarily focuses on the impending zombie invasion, it is also a stark commentary on social class as there is an internal struggle between those who live on the upper and lower floors. Happiness is a superbly written K-drama that's character focus makes it hard not to watch in one sitting. Plus, the addition of a fake-marriage trope seems like an odd addition to a zombie K-drama, however, it gives Happiness a unique heart that makes it flourish in an oversaturated genre.
1 All of Us Are Dead
Starring Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun & Park Solomon
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All Of Us Are Dead
- Release Date
- January 28, 2022
- Network
- Netflix
- Writers
- Chun Sung-il
Cast
-
Park Ji-huNam On-jo
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Yoon Chan-youngLee Cheong-san
WHERE TO WATCH
All of Us Are Dead is a South Korean series that centers on a high school overrun by a zombie virus outbreak. The students, facing an unprecedented crisis, must navigate survival while combating the threat of becoming part of the undead horde.
- Seasons
- 1
With All of Us Are Dead's second season looming, there is no better K-drama to watch after Sweet Home's conclusion. All of Us Are Dead also takes on a zombie K-drama storyline which sees a group of high school students deal with the outbreak on their own. Although its story is nothing particularly new in this genre, it is executed exceptionally well with incredibly well-written and performed characters that make the K-drama hard not to be moved by, whether it be through iration or hate.
Like Sweet Home's first season, All of Us Are Dead only focuses on the effects of the zombie outbreak in a high school and does so with devastating consequences. However, with All of Us Are Dead renewed for a second season, it promises to expand its world just like Sweet Home has done. Characters such as half-human half-zombie Nam-ra promise to add more depth to the universe just as Sweet Home's Cha Hyun-su has done, and makes the season seem well worth the wait.
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