Enter an era of chaos and survival with Korean dramas that throw you into the thick of apocalyptic scenarios. Imagine deadly viruses, natural disasters, and societies crumbling under pressure. But in the middle of it all, characters are fighting to stay alive and rebuild what’s been lost. 

These dramas are like a thrilling rollercoaster ride, keeping you on the edge of your seat. You’ll witness races against time to stop viruses and the struggle to rebuild shattered worlds. With great acting, interesting plots, and stunning visuals, these K-Dramas are a must-watch! So, here is a list of some of the most intense apocalyptic stories Korean TV offers.

1. Sweet Home

After losing his family in a tragic accident, Cha Hyun Soo tries to start fresh in a new apartment. But peace doesn’t last long as bizarre events happen not just in his building but all over Korea. Soon, ordinary people transform into terrifying monsters, plunging Hyun Soo and his neighbors into a fight for survival.

As chaos spreads, Hyun Soo and his fellow residents must band together to face this nightmarish new reality. With danger lurking around every corner, they must rely on each other to stay alive and find a way to stop the monstrous transformation sweeping through the country.

In the face of unimaginable horror, Hyun Soo discovers strength he never knew he had as he battles both inner demons and external threats. Together, they must solve the mystery behind the horrifying transformation while fighting to keep hope alive in a world descending into darkness.

• Episodes: 10
• Cast: Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Si Young
• Where To Watch: Netflix

2. Zombie Detective

In this exciting drama, a zombie and a writer join forces to solve mysteries, writing about the uncharted territory of life after death. Moo Young, once buried and forgotten, rises again as a zombie, thanks to discarded medical waste. With no memory of his past, he deals with his new existence, striving to blend in as a human. Despite his undead status, Moo Young’s keen sense of smell leads him to a unique career in private investigation, specializing in locating missing persons.

Enter Sun Ji, a passionate writer with a knack for justice. As she joins Moo Young’s agency, she’s unaware of his true nature at first. However, when she discovers his secret, she doesn’t flee but instead becomes determined to help him reclaim his lost memories. Along the way, Sun Ji realizes that Moo Young’s past is connected with one of her previous cases, sparking a journey of discovery and danger.

Together, this unlikely duo goes into the shadows, solving mysteries while facing the challenges of life, death, and everything in between. As they find new clues and confront their demons, Moo Young and Sun Ji forge a bond that goes beyond the boundaries of mortality, proving that even in the face of the undead, justice can prevail.

• Episodes: 24
• Cast: Choi Jin Hyuk, Park Ju Hyun
• Where To Watch: Netflix, Viki

3. Kingdom

As whispers of the Joseon King’s demise spread, chaos ensued in the wake of his smallpox-stricken death. The powerful Cho Clan, led by the pregnant Queen’s father, Chief State Councilor Cho Hak Joo, swiftly labels the Crown Prince as a traitor, setting off a dangerous chain of events.

Determined to find the truth behind his father’s passing, the Crown Prince goes on a journey with his loyal guard, Moo Young. Their quest leads them to seek out Lee Seung Hui, the last physician to treat the late King. However, their plans take an unexpected turn when they find themselves trapped in a village plagued by a horrifying disease, accompanied by Assistant Physician Seo Bi and a mysterious figure named Young Shin.

In the face of adversity and death, the Crown Prince and his companions must face dangerous waters, solving mysteries and confronting danger at every turn. As they go deeper into the heart of darkness, they unearth secrets that could shake the very foundation of the kingdom, forging partnerships and facing adversaries in a battle for truth and survival.

• Episodes: 6
• Cast: Ju Ji Hoon, Ryu Seung Ryong, Bae Doo Na
• Where To Watch: Netflix

4. Sisyphus: The Myth

In a twist of fate, a brilliant engineer finds himself thrust into a world of dangerous secrets when an inexplicable event shakes his reality. Han Tae Sul, renowned for his coding prowess and stylish demeanor, co-founds Quantum and Time, a company hailed as a marvel of South Korea’s engineering prowess.

Yet, beneath the surface of success lies a chaotic past, marked by the tragic loss of his brother and the subsequent instability in his company’s stocks. When Tae Sul stumbles upon a secret beyond belief, he goes on a perilous journey in search of truth, risking everything he knows.

Enter Kang Seo Hae, a survivor from a future ravaged by dystopia and chaos. Armed with survival skills honed amidst gangsters and warlords, she journeys back in time with a singular mission: to save Han Tae Sul.

With determination etched in her every move, Seo Hae’s arrival heralds a collision of past and future, as she races against time to alter the course of destiny. As their worlds collide, Tae Sul and Seo Hae are bound by a shared destiny, facing a maze of danger and deception that could reshape the fabric of time itself.

• Episodes: 16
• Cast: Cho Seung Woo, Park Shin Hye, Kim Hyung Chul
• Where To Watch: Netflix

5. All Of Us Are Dead

When a deadly zombie virus infects a high school, chaos erupts, turning the once familiar halls into a battleground for survival. Trapped within the school’s confines, students find themselves facing a harrowing choice: fight their way out or risk succumbing to the relentless horde of infected.

As fear spreads like wildfire, ordinary students are thrust into extraordinary circumstances, forced to confront the horrors of the undead head-on. With every corner hiding a potential threat, groups form and bonds are tested as they face the dangers of the infected school.

Each decision for the surviving students carries life-or-death consequences, and every moment is a struggle against the relentless tide of the undead. In a race against time, these students must summon every ounce of courage and resourcefulness to escape the clutches of the zombie apocalypse and emerge victorious.

• Episodes: 12
• Cast: Park Ji Hu, Yoon Chan Young, Lomon, Cho Ji Hyun
• Where To Watch: Netflix

6. The Silent Sea

In a future where the Earth struggles with less resources due to desertification, Yoon Jae serves as a soldier for the space agency. His world changes when he’s chosen, along with Ji An and others, for a crucial mission: a journey to the moon. Their objective? To explore an abandoned lunar space station and retrieve mysterious samples left behind.

As the team prepares for their lunar expedition, they are joined by a scientist haunted by a tragic past. Driven by the desire to find out the truth behind her sister’s demise in a catastrophic accident on the lunar station, she adds a layer of urgency and determination to the mission. Together, they go on a dangerous journey into the unknown, where the mysteries of space and the secrets of the past collide.

• Episodes: 8
• Cast: Bae Doo Na, Gong Yoo, Lee Joon
• Where To Watch: Netflix

7. Happiness

Meet Yoon Sae Bom, a sharp-witted special agent with skills that set her apart. When the chance arises to snag a spot in a sought-after apartment complex reserved for civil servants, she seizes it by pretending to tie the knot with her high school pal, Jung Yi Hyun. Meanwhile, Yi Hyun, a detective, finds himself tangled in a web of intrigue as he investigates a puzzling disease sweeping through the city.

However, their plans for a quiet life take a sharp turn when their apartment building is suddenly quarantined by Han Tae Seok, the leader of a task force combating the disease’s spread. Trapped within the confines of their own home, Sae Bom and Yi Hyun must face the rising tension while dealing with their own secrets.

As danger increases and suspicions mount, Sae Bom and Yi Hyun find themselves thrust into a deadly battle for survival. With danger lurking around every corner and the fate of the city hanging in the balance, they must rely on their wits, instincts, and perhaps even each other to solve the mysteries surrounding the deadly outbreak and emerge unscathed from the confines of their home.

• Episodes: 12
• Cast: Han Hyo Joo, Park Hyung Sik, Jo Woo Jin
• Where To Watch: WeTV, Viki, Netflix, TVING

8. Dark Hole

In the heart of Seoul, police detective Lee Hwa Sun finds herself plunged into a nightmare when she receives a chilling call from her husband’s killer, leading her to the mysterious town of Mujishi. However, what awaits her there is beyond her darkest imaginings.

The once peaceful inhabitants of Mujishi have been transformed into grotesque mutants, their bodies twisted by a sinister dark smoke emanating from a menacing sinkhole. Now, Hwa Sun must not only deal with the horrors before her but also confront the demons of her own fear as she seeks to solve the mystery behind her husband’s murder.

Amidst the chaos of Mujishi, Hwa Sun crosses paths with Yoo Tae Han, a former police officer turned wrecked car driver. Despite his carefree demeanor and penchant for jokes, Tae Han harbors a deep sense of justice, forged from his days in law enforcement. Forced to leave the police force due to a scandal rooted in misunderstanding, Tae Han finds redemption in the chaos of Mujishi.

Drawn to Hwa Sun’s determination and resolve, he dedicates himself to protecting others from the dangers lurking in the shadows of the mutated town. As the survivors band together in a fight for their lives, Hwa Sun and Tae Han must face the dangerous situation of Mujishi, where danger lurks at every turn.

United by a common goal and fueled by a shared sense of duty, they stand as beacons of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness. But with each step bringing them closer to the truth, they soon realize that the greatest threat may lie not in the mutants stalking the streets, but in the secrets hidden within the depths of the mysterious sinkhole.

• Episodes: 12
• Cast: Kim Ok Bin, Lee Joon Hyuk, Park Keun Rok
• Where To Watch: Viki, WeTV, iQIYI

9. Bargain

No Hyung Soo steps into a motel room, expecting a simple rendezvous with Park Joo Young. He’s content with her presence and ready to pay for her services. But as the story begins, Hyung Soo is in for a shock. Suddenly, he finds himself surrounded by strangers, all clamoring to purchase his organs. With Joo Young orchestrating the macabre auction, Hyung Soo is thrust into a terrifying negotiation for his very life.

As the tense bargaining ensues, fate intervenes with a violent earthquake, plunging the motel room into chaos. Amidst the chaos of collapsing walls and crumbling floors, Hyung Soo and his unexpected companions find themselves fighting for survival. Trapped within the confines of the shattered building, they must band together in a desperate bid to escape the clutches of both the ruthless organ buyers and the merciless forces of nature.

In the face of unimaginable danger, groups are made, and secrets revealed as Hyung Soo and his unlikely allies face the dangerous aftermath of the earthquake. With each passing moment, they inch closer to freedom, but the threat of death looms ever-present, reminding them of the fragility of life and the depths of human depravity.

• Episodes: 6
• Cast: Jin Seon Kyu, Jeon Jong Seo, Chang Ryul
• Where To Watch: Prime Video. TVING

10. Search (2020)

Yong Dong Jin, a conscript sergeant in the South Korean armed forces, eagerly anticipates his upcoming discharge after years of service as the military’s top sniffer dog handler. However, his plans for a smooth transition to civilian life are derailed when a perplexing case emerges, drawing him into a web of intrigue just weeks before his release.

In the volatile demilitarized zone (DMZ) separating North and South Korea, a suspicious murder captures the army’s attention. Faced with the strange circumstances surrounding the crime, military leaders opt to assemble an elite search team to scour the treacherous terrain of the DMZ for clues.

Among those recruited is Yong Dong Jin, renowned for his expertise in handling highly trained detection dogs. Alongside him is Son Ye Rim, a promising young soldier whose training abroad adds a fresh perspective to the mission.

As the investigation begins, the team confronts a chilling realization: the entity they’re pursuing defies all expectations of humanity. With each discovery deepening the mystery, Yong Dong Jin and his comrades must face the dangerous situation of the DMZ, confronting unknown dangers and accepting dark truths hidden within its forbidding expanse.

• Episodes: 10
• Cast: Jang Dong Yoon, Krystal Jung, Yoon Park, Lee Hyun Wook
• Where To Watch: iQIYI, Viki

11. Duty After School

When Sungjin High School becomes ground zero for an alien invasion, chaos erupts as violent insect-like creatures overrun the world. With the South Korean military struggling to contain the onslaught, third-year high schoolers find themselves thrust into the frontlines, facing mandatory conscription amidst the chaos of impending university exams.

Platoon leader Lee Chun Ho takes charge, leading his fellow students through rigorous military training, from rifle shooting to combat drills and obstacle courses, all while donning their familiar school uniforms. In the middle of it, class teacher Park Eun Young emerges as a beacon of strength and resilience, dedicated to safeguarding her students amidst the chaos of the alien onslaught.

As the teenagers deal with the sudden responsibilities thrust upon them, they must face the challenges of warfare while striving to maintain a sense of normalcy during the chaos. With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, these young high schoolers find themselves thrust into a battle for survival against otherworldly forces.

As they undergo a transformative journey, they must rise to the occasion and discover the courage and resilience within themselves to become unlikely heroes in the face of global catastrophe.

• Episodes: 6
• Cast: Shin Hyun Soo, Lee Soon Won, Kim Ki Hae
• Where To Watch: Viki

12. Parasyte: The Grey

In this intense saga, Earth is besieged by extraterrestrial parasites that seek to dominate human hosts, wielding their bodies and minds as tools for their own gain. Among those caught in the crossfire is Jung Soo In, whose encounter with a parasite sets her on a harrowing journey of survival. Rather than succumb to its control, Soo In forms an uneasy partnership with the invader, determined to retain her autonomy amidst the chaos.

As the crisis increases, Seol Kang Woo sets out on a desperate mission to locate parasitic water, fueled by the hope of finding his missing sister. Alongside him, Choi Jun Kyung leads ‘The Grey,’ a dedicated team committed to battling the parasitic threat. Driven by personal tragedy, Jun Kyung’s resolve to eradicate the parasites fuels her relentless pursuit of justice in the face of overwhelming odds.

Caught in a battle for humanity’s survival, our heroes must face dangerous terrain, facing not only the alien invaders but also the betrayal of their own allies. As they confront the terrifying truth of the parasitic menace, they must summon every ounce of courage and resourcefulness to stand against the upcoming darkness and protect what remains of their world.

• Episodes: 6
• Cast: Jeon So Nee, Koo Kyo Hwan, Lee Jung Hyun
• Where To Watch: Netflix

13. Goodbye Earth

As news spreads of an asteroid hurtling towards Earth, panic fills the world with the realization that humanity’s days are numbered. In the middle of the chaos, Jin Se Kyung, a dedicated middle-school teacher in Woongchun City, decides to leave her job to volunteer at a child and youth division in city hall.

Determined to make a difference in the face of impending doom, she struggles to protect and save children from the looming catastrophe. Meanwhile, her longtime boyfriend, Ha Yoon Sang, rushes back from the United States, where he works as a researcher at a biotechnology institute, to be by her side as the world braces for impact.

During this, others also step up to face the impending crisis. Woo Sung Jae, an assistant priest at a Catholic Church, finds himself thrust into a position of responsibility when the presiding priest flees in fear. Taking charge of the parishioners left behind, Sung Jae provides solace and support to those seeking refuge in the church’s sanctuary.

Kang In A, a commander of a combat support battalion, mobilizes her unit to aid the devastated city of Woongchun. With determination and resolve, she leads efforts to provide crucial supplies, transportation, and security to those in need amidst the chaos wrought by the approaching asteroid.

• Episodes: 12
• Cast: Ahn Eun Jin, Yoo Ah In, Jeon Sung Woo
• Where To Watch: Netflix

14. Black Knight

In the bleak world of 2071, toxic air pollution has ravaged the Earth, leaving only a tiny fraction of the population alive. Venturing outside without a gas mask is unthinkable, as the air has become deadly to breathe. In this grim reality, delivery drivers known as knights brave the hazardous conditions to protect and deliver vital packages to the scattered survivors.

Among these knights is the legendary Knight 5-8, whose reputation precedes him as a beacon of hope in the desolate area. Knight 5-8 crosses paths with a determined young refugee named Sa Wol, whose dream is to become a knight himself. Inspired by Sa Wol’s unwavering spirit, Knight 5-8 takes him under his wing, determined to mentor and train him in the ways of the knights.

Alongside them stands Seol A, an officer in the Defense Intelligence Command, who lends her expertise to guide and support Sa Wol on his journey. In a world defined by danger and adversity, Knight 5-8, Sa Wol, and Seol A form an unlikely partnership, united by a shared desire to defy the odds and forge a brighter future.

Through perseverance and determination, they face the dangerous situation of a world on the brink of collapse, where every step brings new challenges, and every decision carries life-or-death consequences. Together, they stand as a testament to the power of hope and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.

• Episodes: 6
• Cast: Kim Woo Bin, Song Seung Heon, Kang Yoo Seok
• Where To Watch: Netflix

15. Gyeongseong Creature

Jang Tae Sang is a prominent figure in Bukchon, Gyeongseong, known for his wealth, charm, and sharp intellect. As the go-to source for information in the area, he’s admired for his ability to face any situation with ease. However, his encounter with Yoon Chae Ok prompts him to reevaluate his priorities and reconsider the path his life has taken.

Yoon Chae Ok, renowned as a skilled todugun, has a challenging past shaped by her experiences traveling between Manchuria and Shanghai with her father. Enduring hardships from a young age, she honed her survival skills, mastering the use of firearms, knives, and machinery.

Driven by the search for her missing mother, Chae Ok arrives in Gyeongseong, where she crosses paths with Jang Tae Sang. Together, they go into a series of puzzling missing person cases, facing dark truths that challenge everything they thought they knew.

As Tae Sang and Chae Ok goes deeper into their investigation, they confront a grim reality lurking beneath the surface of Gyeongseong. Bound by a shared determination to find the truth, they deal with a web of deception and danger, brining out secrets that threaten to shake up their world. In their quest for answers, they must confront their own demons and forge an unlikely partnership in the face of adversity.

• Episodes: 10
• Cast: Park Seo Joon, Han So Hee, Kim Su Hyun
• Where To Watch: Netflix