Some classic Korean horror stories also explore themes of guilt and revenge. The horror is not just about scaring people but also making them think about the consequences of one's actions. Characters are often haunted by their past misdeeds, which come back to terrify them in the form of supernatural entities.
The use of traditional Korean settings and aesthetics is also a key factor. The architecture, clothing, and even the language used in these stories add to their distinctiveness. For example, the hanbok (traditional Korean dress) might be worn by a vengeful spirit, creating a visually striking and culturally rich image.
Here are a few recommended Korean horror novels:
1. " Seven Years of Night ": This novel has been adapted into a movie. It tells the story of a man who accidentally knocked down a girl while driving in the middle of the night and triggered a seven-year revenge.
2. " Origin of Species ": The story of this novel takes place in a small village where strange things happen frequently. It tells the horror story of a group of citizens searching for the truth.
3. " Complete Happiness ": This novel tells the story of unwavering loyalty and incredible kinship in turbulent times.
4. " 28 ": This is a gripping multi-layered novel. The story takes place in a turbulent era and portrays a story of loyalty and kinship.
In addition, there were other recommended Korean horror novels, such as Far Cry and Hibernation Awakening. These novels all had exciting plots and fascinating stories, suitable for readers who liked horror novels.
One famous Korean horror short story is 'The Red Shoes'. It often features themes of obsession. The story might involve a pair of red shoes that seem to have a life of their own, bringing misfortune to those who possess them. Another is 'The Tale of Janghwa and Hongryeon'. It tells a spooky story of two sisters and the evil stepmother, filled with elements of the supernatural.
Korean horror stories are known for their psychological horror aspect. They play with the characters' and the viewers' / readers' minds. They might not always rely on jump scares but rather on creating a sense of unease. For instance, in stories like 'Phone', the horror lies in the unknown and the slow - building dread that something is very wrong, and it keeps you on edge without having to use a lot of gory or over - the - top violent scenes.
There is 'The Tale of Chunhyang' which has been reimagined in a horror context in some modern Korean horror novels. It takes the traditional story and adds elements of the supernatural and horror. 'Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum' is another. It's based on the real - life haunted asylum in Korea and the novel is full of spooky events and eerie descriptions. 'The White Badge' also has some horror - like elements in it as it deals with the traumas of war in a very dark and haunting way.
Often, they rely on elements of Korean folklore. For example, the idea of vengeful spirits which are deeply rooted in Korean culture. These spirits might be wronged in life and come back to haunt the living in the stories.
There are also stories of unfair treatment. Teachers in some hagwons may be overly strict and punish students severely for minor mistakes. Like if a student forgets to do a small amount of homework, they might be made to stand in the corner for hours or even be verbally abused.
Often, they involve elements of the supernatural. For example, ghosts are very common in these stories. They also tend to focus on family or domestic settings, which makes the horror more relatable as it could be something that happens in one's own home.
No. These stories are not reliable at all. They are mainly spread by anti - North Korea forces to smear the country. North Korea is a country that values its people and has been working hard to improve people's living conditions.