Two Horror K-dramas That Are Not Horror-Filled At All!

If the Korean drama features ghosts or vampires, some might categorize it as Horror, but they might not be horror-filled, i.e. they just don’t scare you. But they still might be fun to watch. “The Master’s Sun” and “Immortal Vampire” are two Korean dramas that meet this criterion. One is a series and the other is a movie. ♦ (1) The Master’s Sun (2013); 17 episodes Genre: Horror, Fantasy or Supernatural, Mystery, Romance, Comedy, Rich Boy/Poor Girl STORYLINE: It’s “The Master’s Sun”, not “son”. Also, there is “Big Sun” and “Little Sun”. When they were growing up and attending school, […]

I don’t know if I’d classify The Master’s Sun as a horror show. Sure, there are ghosts, but it’s more of a romantic comedy with supernatural elements. It’s fun and quirky, but not what I’d consider horror. If you’re someone who’s into traditional horror—like, the stuff that really gets under your skin—this show might not satisfy that itch. That being said, the ghostly encounters are creative, and there’s a good mix of suspenseful moments with lighthearted humor. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for something more on the fantasy side rather than actual horror. For me, though, I prefer my horror to be a bit more intense.

I watched The Master’s Sun a few years ago, and I still think about it! What I loved most was the chemistry between the leads. Kong Hyo-Jin and So Ji-Sub absolutely nailed their roles. The show had this perfect balance of being eerie yet heartwarming. Also, I couldn’t get enough of the quirky side characters and all their little subplots. Tae Yi-Ryung’s jealousy was almost comical, and Kang-Woo brought some great moments of tension. The story isn’t just about ghosts, but also about dealing with past traumas and finding love in the most unexpected places. It’s one of those shows that stays with you long after you’ve finished watching. If anyone is on the fence, give it a shot. You won’t regret it!

I'm excited to check out 'Immortal Vampire.' The concept of vampires with a disease seems really interesting. Does it explore the social implications of such a scenario?

I was expecting 'The Master's Sun' and 'Immortal Vampire' to be scary, but I was pleasantly surprised. They're both really well-made shows with interesting storylines and characters. If you're looking for a supernatural K-drama that's not horror-filled, these are definitely worth checking out.

Immortal Vampire takes a different approach to the typical vampire narrative, and I find that refreshing. The concept of vampires being affected by blood-borne diseases like VIDS adds a layer of realism to the story, which makes it more engaging. This isn’t your typical blood-sucking, immortal, invincible vampire trope. Instead, it touches on the fragility of even the most powerful beings, which makes the stakes feel higher. While the movie didn’t get the best ratings, I think the idea alone deserves some credit. It’s a unique take on the vampire genre, blending fantasy with a bit of science fiction. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something that challenges the traditional vampire mythology.

Shady Side said:

I don’t know if I’d classify The Master’s Sun as a horror show. Sure, there are ghosts, but it’s more of a romantic comedy with supernatural elements. It’s fun and quirky, but not what I’d consider horror. If you’re someone who’s into traditional horror—like, the stuff that really gets under your skin—this show might not satisfy that itch. That being said, the ghostly encounters are creative, and there’s a good mix of suspenseful moments with lighthearted humor. It’s a good choice if you’re looking for something more on the fantasy side rather than actual horror. For me, though, I prefer my horror to be a bit more intense.

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As part of the American audience, usually, anything with ghosts, vampires, witches, zombies, grim reapers, etc. gets lumped under the Horror genre, just because. But most of the Korean dramas that I have watched with ghosts, vampires, witches, zombies, grim reapers, etc. … but they're not scary. However, an American viewer might search the Horror genre looking for K-dramas that have them. If I search the Korean Horror genre on a platform like Viki.com, and watch the movies or series that are in this grouping, I am almost certain that none of them will be scary.