Following the story of a wealthy man in 1945, Netflix’s Gyeongseong Creature is a period drama that combines history with horror and brings about an intriguing show that poses questions about humanity and the perils of survival in a monster-infested world. South Korea has been well known for making some incredible thrillers over the years, and Gyeongseong Creature does not disappoint on that front either. Although it’s a plot that is rather predictable, there are a lot of thrills to keep one occupied. The show is also set in Japan-occupied Korea, a dark time for the country, and does a decent job of representing the time period. Whether you’re looking for something historical or monstrous, this list will serve you well.
Sweet Home
The most obvious choice when it comes to a double feature with Gyeongseong Creature would be Sweet Home, the TV show about a virus that turns humans into monsters. While Season 2 may not be as enterprising, the first season is simply fantastic and keeps you hooked from start to finish. It’s easily binge-able and unexpectedly poignant, making for a great “monster show.” Not to forget, the CGI is pretty darn fantastic, and each monster design is better than the last. If you’re into Gyeongseong Creature, specifically the “creature” part, this show will not disappoint you. Additionally, Sweet Home stars some of the biggest stars of today, including Song Kang, Lee Do-Hyun, Go Min-Si, Go Yoon-Jung, and more. The Netflix thriller drama is based on a webtoon of the same name.
Death’s Game
Another show to grace our screens in December 2023, Death’s Game, tells the story of a man who attempts suicide, eliciting the wrath of Death herself. If you’ve been watching K-dramas for a couple of years now, this show is entertaining simply because of the sheer number of actors that make an appearance on it. The show stars Seo In-Guk (Doom at Your Service) and Park So-Dam (Parasite) in the lead roles of the suicidal man and Death. Like Gyeongseong Creature, we’ve only received the first part of four episodes, which will be followed by a second part in January. The show, based on the webtoon of the same name, is almost like a PSA on suicide (like another show later on this list), but has some exciting elements that are fantastical and entertaining, despite having no monsters, unless you count Death as one, I suppose.
All Of Us Are Dead
This zombie show set in a high school deserves all the praise that it is showered with. As usual, the Korean entertainment industry simply understands how to make anything horrifying equally melancholic, leaving you in bits. All of Us Are Dead is not just unique in its zombies; it’s an impeccable thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Just as you think everything is perfectly fine, you’ll be hit with a different curveball. The blurred lines between good and evil in humans are well explored in both of these shows, which is why it seems like the perfect show to binge after Gyeongseong Creature. Additionally, all the young actors do an incredible job, making us vouch for them immediately.
Kingdom
Okay, yes, it’s another zombie show, but they seem to be all the rage lately. Similar to Gyeongseong Creature, which explores a biological element to create “human monsters” in a historical setting, Kingdom’s main virus comes from Mother Nature herself. If gore isn’t your cup of tea, then skip this one, but if that’s what you’re looking for, then Kingdom will satisfy your needs. History meets fiction in the most unique way, which will have your jaw on the floor for most of the show. Additionally, there’s never been a zombie film or show more cinematic than this one, beating everything from World War Z and I Am Legend, to Train to Busan. Maybe it’s the historical set-up and costumes that add to the “beauty” (if you’re on this list, you must be as twisted as me) of it all.
Revenant
Revenant has got to be one of the most interesting horror shows I’ve ever seen. While Death’s Game is very on the nose about its suicide messaging, Revenant adds a fantastical element to the concept as a whole and has a deeper impact on the viewer because of this. The show stars legendary actress Kim Tae-Ri (who debuted in Park Chan-Wook’s The Handmaiden, which is also set in the same time period as Gyeongseong Creature) in the leading role of a woman who is unexpectedly gifted with the power to see ghosts after her father and grandmother commit suicide. This show combines traditional Korean values with modern horror sensibilities in the most exciting way and presents a bibimbap of information that slowly reveals itself until the end. If you’re a fan of horror, then you cannot miss Revenant.
Tale Of The Nine-Tailed 1938
As you can tell from the title, season 2 of Tale of the Nine-Tailed is set in the same time period as Gyeongseong Creature. The fantasy show stars Kim Beom, who returned to our screens properly after a long time in the first season, and Lee Dong-Wook as the legendary Gumiho, of course. While this show is of course very different from Gyeongseong Creature in terms of the serious subject matter, it’s also set in Gyeongseong and has similar costumes and backgrounds, so if the period is something that excites you, then this is the way to go. Of course, you’re also going to get the same kind of romance, suspense, and thrill as from Gyeongseong Creature. Additionally, the show features a captivating bromance between Lee Yeon and Lee Rang in a very Thor and Loki manner.
All of these shows are highly enjoyable and different from each other in many ways; however, they will keep you company while you wait for Gyeongseong Creature Part 2. The show returns to Netflix with just three final episodes on January 5, 2024.
