15 Best South Korean Survival Films & TV Series Like ‘All of Us Are Dead’

Like 2021’s fan-favorite Squid Recreation and All of Us Are Useless, which has attracted Korean sequence an excellent quantity of consideration, many different unimaginable Korean reveals have additionally offered audiences with some fascinating survival tales, providing audiences memorable and relatable characters and preserving them stirred with their enthralling narratives.

Whereas the Western media has equipped audiences with a few of the most iconic survival TV reveals and films, together with The Strolling Useless and the profitable videogame adaptation The Final of Us, South Korea additionally counts on an unimaginable variety of intriguing survival and post-apocalyptic tales. From The Tower to Prepare to Busan, these are one of the best South Korean survival motion pictures and TV reveals like All of Us Are Useless which are assured to have audiences’ hearts pounding.

All Of Us Are Useless

Launch Date

January 28, 2022

Solid

Park Ji-hu , Chan-Younger Yoon , Yi-Hyun Cho , Park Solomon

Seasons

2

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15 ‘#Alive’ (2020)

Director: Il Cho

#Alive is one other Korean movie primarily based on a zombie outbreak at the moment streaming on Netflix. Oh Joo-Woo (Yoo Ah-in) is a gamer who lives alone in his residence. As he goes about his each day life, sudden information breaks out and zombies swarm town. All appears hopeless for Joo-Woo till he meets a younger lady who’s in the identical place. They make plans to fulfill up and survive this lethal disaster collectively.

Like All of Us Are Useless, #Alive retains the story confined to 1 location — on this case, an residence constructing — and explores what it takes for one to outlive on their very own. Greater than the rest, the zombie movie streaming on Netflix depicts a distinct story of a zombie apocalypse with a distinct perspective on survival, shedding mild on what it truly is.

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14 ‘Pandora’ (2016)

Director: Park Jung-woo

Pandora is a good Ok-Drama like All of Us Are Useless within the sense that it completely captures what it’s wish to really feel hopeless whereas combating for survival. The 2016 movie facilities round an explosion at a nuclear energy plant attributable to an earthquake, which in the end creates a catastrophe that solely the employees can include from spreading additional.

Impressed by the devastating Fukushima nuclear incident in 2011, this tragic Park Jung-woo film must be obligatory on the watchlists of everybody who enjoys intense survival dramas. Whereas removed from a masterpiece within the style, it’s nonetheless an intriguing catastrophe movie all through; its screenplay is humane and really heartbreaking, making it linger on viewers’ minds after the credit roll.

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13 ‘The Tower’ (2012)

Director: Kim Ji-hoon

The Tower is an underrated catastrophe movie that focuses on the collapse of a preferred residential tower referred to as Sky Tower. This Korean movie facilities on a large number of characters, which embody — however are usually not restricted to — a workaholic father, his daughter, and girlfriend, a firefighter who’s devoted completely to his job, a newcomer, a pregnant lady, and her associate, amongst others.

As these characters rejoice Christmas, a helicopter crashes into one of many two towers, which causes an ever-expanding hearth and in the end the tower’s collapse. This movie does effectively at mimicking All of Us Are Useless’s isolating and hopeless ambiance. All of the characters are struggling to outlive a large-scale catastrophe whereas falling to their potential demise.Watch on BritBox

12 ‘Zombie Detective’ (2020)

Creator: KBS Drama Division

Centering on Kim Moo-Younger (Choi Jin-Hyuk), who has been a zombie for the previous 2 years and doesn’t keep in mind something previous to that date, the comedy fantasy Zombie Detective follows the character as he mimics the mannerisms of people. In the meantime, he additionally meets Kong Solar-Ji (Park Joo-Hyun), who was once a author for a present affairs criticism program and now takes a part-time place at his detective workplace.

Though the sequence is not to everybody’s style (particularly those that are on the lookout for a sequence or movie of the style that takes itself extra critically), Zombie Detective nonetheless manages to supply audiences a really entertaining storyline that seamlessly blends thriller and comedy with the zombie style to hilarious outcomes, making for an awesome zombie comedy film.

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11 ‘The Tunnel’ (2016)

Director: Kim Seong-hun

Combining the thriller and drama genres, The Tunnel focuses on a person (Ha Jung-woo) who’s driving house solely to seek out that the poorly constructed tunnel he’s driving via collapses, leaving him trapped and in the end combating for survival. Within the meantime, rescue staff try to avoid wasting him in a race in opposition to time.

The Tunnel‘s irritating premise alone is terrifying sufficient, and its wonderful execution elevated it to increased grounds, making it a correct top-notch catastrophe movie. At instances, Kim Seong-hun‘s film performs like horror, particularly for audiences who aren’t okay with depictions of claustrophobic areas. That includes a well-written script, this Ok-drama supplies a believably scary life-or-death situation that can frighten any survival movie fanatic. On prime of its nightmarish narrative, the 2016 film additionally options nice performing performances.

Watch on Kocowa+

10 ‘D-Day’ (2015)

Creator: JTBC

This 2015 miniseries tells the story of a devastating pure catastrophe that strikes town of Seoul, leaving it paralyzed. The lives of many are put within the palms of medical doctors and emergency personnel. Nevertheless, as anticipated, that is removed from being a straightforward job.

Intense and nervewracking, this entertaining sequence may have audiences invested from the start, D-Day is among the many finest survival sequence in South Korea. A plot-driven drama, the 2015 present performs like a compelling and irritating film that can definitely have viewers hooked. Moreover, it additionally makes for an awesome medical drama that can simply enchantment to anybody who likes the style.

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9 ‘Hellbound’ (2021 – )

Creator: Yeon Sang-ho

Set between 2022 and 2027 in South Korea, Hellbound is a darkish fantasy survival sequence that facilities on an otherworldly creature who delivers prophecies that condemn sure individuals to Hell. Within the meantime, three supernatural monsters incinerate an individual’s physique in a present often known as an illustration. Within the meantime, the supernatural occasions evoke nice mayhem, enabling the non secular group The New Reality to turn into extra influential.

A enjoyable truth about Hellbound it’s the way it grew to become the primary Korean drama to make it to the Toronto Worldwide Movie Pageant when it premiered on the “Primetime program of TV sequence.” With a confirmed return for a second season, Yeon Sang-ho’s Ok-Drama is undoubtedly an awesome tv present for many who are eager on survival tales that additionally contain fantasy. Moreover, it offers with themes of extremism and radicalism as effectively.

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8 ‘Flu’ (2013)

Director: Sung-Su Kim

Flu is a Korean movie primarily based on an epidemic. When immigrants are trafficked into Korea, the avian-type flu adapts and evolves, spreading from individual to individual in Korea. Those that come into contact with an contaminated individual sometimes find yourself catching the virus themselves and find yourself dying horrific deaths, and the virus — which is straight away contagious — spreads rapidly as Bundang is the guts of the outbreak. Ultimately, Bundang is deserted and closed off to guard the remainder of Korea. It’s solely a matter of time earlier than the Korean authorities decides to neutralize the state of affairs.

All of Us Are Useless and Flu carry many similarities; each function a dialogue in regards to the Korean authorities which fails to take these disasters critically initially and fails to assist their individuals till it’s too late, and give attention to familial tales and the sacrifices made to avoid wasting each other. Moreover, those that benefit from the tales of an infectious outbreak threatening the lives of others would take pleasure in Flu.

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7 ‘Seoul Station’ (2016)

Director: Sang-ho Yeon

Because the title suggests, Seoul Station takes place in and across the space of Seoul Station, the place a homeless man reveals indicators of being the supply of a zombie apocalypse. Within the meantime, a person makes an attempt to seek out his runaway daughter as the federal government struggles to close down the world.

If one is on the lookout for sequence like All of Us Are Useless, Yeon Sang-ho’s animated zombie TV sequence could also be an awesome decide for apparent causes: along with offering audiences with an exciting plot and action-packed scenes, it additionally shines a light-weight on the characters’ private struggles. Concurrently, the intriguing sequence additionally highlights the methods humanity can simply activate itself, because it depicts a really thought-provoking portrait of society’s cruelty.

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6 ‘Happiness’ (2021)

Creator: Yang Ji-eul, Lee Myung-han

Starring Han Hyo-joo and Park Hyung-sik, this apocalyptic thriller is ready within the close to future and facilities across the aftermath of the escape of a mysterious infectious illness in a newly-built high-rise residence constructing within the large metropolis. Because of this, the high-rise residence is sealed off.

Very like the fantasy drama All of Us Are Useless, this partaking 2021 sequence counts on well-written, at instances flawed characters and depicts the determined struggles for survival. That includes a ravishing soundtrack, the suspense drama Happiness is extra cerebral than violent, which makes it an ideal decide for many who choose the thriller relatively than the motion that comes with the post-apocalyptic style.

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5 ‘Candy Dwelling’ (2020)

Creator: Kim Seol-jin

Benefit from the concept of monsters attacking and looking humanity? Candy Dwelling is that form of present. Based mostly on a preferred webcomic by Kim Kan-bi and Hwang Younger-chan, the sequence tells the story of the socially awkward Cha Hyun-soo (Track Kang) who had simply misplaced his household. Alone, he strikes into a cheap residence complicated. Not too lengthy after shifting in, monsters begin showing each inside and out of doors of the residence, killing individuals left and proper.

Very like All of Us Are Useless (and Squid Recreation), the binge-watchable Candy Dwelling focuses on the survival of a gaggle of strangers as they develop to belief one another. It additionally isolates the solid from the surface world, which makes Candy Dwelling tense, much like how All of Us Are Useless replicates that very same feeling in highschool.

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4 ‘Squid Recreation’ (2021)

Creator: Hwang Dong-hyuk

Whereas not a post-apocalyptic sequence like many right here listed, Squid Recreation is a real survival present at its core. With an authentic twist that displays on greed, modern-day capitalism, and oppression, the Hwang Dong-hyuk sequence follows a number of individuals who settle for an odd invitation to compete in kids’s video games the place a tempting, million-dollar prize awaits them.

It’s no marvel that this sequence has captured the eye of many – Squid Recreation incorporates a well-executed authentic premise that’s equal elements gripping and intense, along with the memorable characters like Lee Jung-jae‘s Seong Gi-hun that audiences might discover simple to sympathize with. Whereas, in response to many, the sequence’ translation will not be top-tier, it makes for a fascinating Netflix manufacturing, all points thought of.

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3 ‘The Wailing’ (2016)

Director: Na Hong-jin

Considered one of South Korea’s hottest options, Na Hong-jin‘s movie illustrates the spreading of a peculiar illness quickly after a stranger arrives in slightly village. To be able to save his daughter, a policeman (Kwak Do-won) is compelled to resolve the thriller and the unsolved murderers that got here with it.

A extremely disturbing movie at instances, the suspenseful The Wailing will seemingly have viewers on the sting of their seats. Along with its simplistic but memorable premise, the extraordinary slow-burn 2016 function additionally excels in constructing an unsettling ambiance, which makes it rank excessive among the many finest South Korean horrors.

Watch on Peacock

2 ‘Kingdom’ (2019)

Director: Shinsuke Sato

Kingdom is a two-season Korean drama sequence happening in a kingdom through the Joseon interval. It follows the autumn of the kin rumored to have had smallpox. Nevertheless, the truth, as the principle character, crown prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) discovers — is that the king has turn into a “monster,” or in fashionable phrases, a zombie. After discovering this, Lee Chang searches for solutions and appears for a doctor. Nevertheless, alongside the journey, the outbreak spreads, and shortly, outcast Lee Chang should combat for survival from each the zombies and his household, who need him useless.

Completely different from All of Us Are Useless, Kingdom spans a number of places because the crown prince flees from the dominion and strikes onward to doubtlessly discover a remedy. Then again, like All of Us Are Useless, Netflix’s zombie sequence Kingdom focuses an excellent quantity of storytelling on the federal government’s errors and the mistrust the residents have. Additionally, in contrast to the opposite movies and TV reveals talked about, Kingdom makes positive to point out that the principle character is totally remoted, internalizing to viewers that he has no household left and that it’s as much as him to guard his nation.

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1 ‘Prepare to Busan’ (2016)

Director: Yeon Sang-ho

Prepare to Busan is a famend Korean movie that follows father Seok-Woo (Gong Yoo) as he boards a practice along with his daughter Soo-An (Kim Soo Ahn) to verify she will get to her mom. Nevertheless, not too lengthy after boarding the speedy unfold of a virus happens. Now Seok-Woo has to guard his daughter from zombies. Alongside the way in which, Seok-Woo groups up with different survivors as they combat for survival on the practice.

Prepare to Busan is such a preferred South Korean function that it’s getting a U.S. remake; if one is looking motion pictures like All of Us Are Useless, it is a wonderful alternative, particularly on condition that it’s, funnily sufficient, referenced within the TV sequence by one of many characters. Its recognition is partly because of Gong Yoo’s (Squid Recreation) efficiency as a distant father who grows to be the hero. Just like the sequence, Yeon Sang-ho‘s gripping and broadly acclaimed zombie movie takes place in a single major location, remoted from the remainder of the world, and the characters’ survival depends on trusting and counting on these round them.

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NEXT: The Greatest South Korean Zombie Reveals and Motion pictures