Summary
After the release ofSweet Home’s third and final season, there are plenty of other K-dramas to watch after the show. Based on the webtoon of the same name,Sweet Homefocuses on the story ofCha Hyun-su (Song Kang)and the Green Home apartment complex residents, who become caught up in the middle of an outbreak that sees humans turn into monsters. However, Hyun-su’s situation is complicated bySweet Home’s monster virus as he realizes he has the usual symptoms but can somehow control the monsterization process.
Sweet Homequickly became one ofNetflix’s best K-dramasafter its initial release in 2020, before it continued its story of monsters and humans through two more seasons. ThoughSweet Home’s later seasons never reached the same critical acclaim as its first, it’s still a great post-apocalyptic K-drama that hosts a great ensemble cast.Sweet Home’s impact on the international K-drama scene cannot be understated, and many other K-dramas have similar themes and storylines to the smash hit that makes them a perfect next watch following its ending.
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Sweet Home Season 3 Ending Explained: What Happens To Cha Hyun-su
Sweet Home season 3, episode 8 concluded the Netflix K-drama with an action-packed finale full of twists and bittersweet moments involving Hyun-su.
Son: The Guest
Cast
Son: The Guest (2018) is a South Korean supernatural thriller series. It follows a psychic, a priest, and a detective who join forces to battle evil spirits that prey on humans. The trio delves into disturbing cases stemming from demonic possessions and ancestral curses, unraveling dark secrets and confronting their own inner demons. The series combines elements of horror, crime, and drama to create a chilling narrative.
Son: The Guest, better known asThe Guest, is a supernatural thrillerthat is a nice change of pace forSweet Homefans while remaining within a similar genre. WhileSweet Homefocuses more on the threat of monsters who were previously human,The Guestsees priest Choi Yoon (Kim Jae-wook), psychic Yoon Hwa-Kyung (Kim Dong-wook), and detective Kang Kil-young (Jung Eun-chae) join forces to fight against evil spirits that prey on humans. What unfolds is a story that is certainly scary, but also deeply moving.
The Guest’s focus on friendship and relationships is the real appeal of thisthriller K-drama. Though there are scary moments,The Gueststrives away from convention to develop a story that is wholly entertaining from start to finish.Much likeSweet Home,The Guesthas a great production valuethat enhances the K-drama and, combined with a beautifully written script, makes it a K-drama that is perfect to watch afterSweet Home’s final season.
The Uncanny Counter
The Uncanny Counter is a South Korean television series that follows a group of demon hunters called Counters, who disguise themselves as employees in a noodle restaurant to track down and banish evil spirits.
Like many shows from South Korea,The Uncanny Countersis aK-drama based on a webtoon. Starring Jo Byeong-kyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong and Yeom Hye-ran,The Uncanny Countersfocuses on a group of individuals known as “Counters” who aim to capture and banish evil spirits that have escaped from the afterlife. The story heavily focuses on So Mun (Jo Byeong-kyu) who is the newest addition to the team of Counters and his journey into accepting his new life and the strange powers that come with it.
Themes of found family are prominent inThe Uncanny Counter, as these individuals are thrust together to do the bidding of their partners in the afterlife. However,The Uncanny Counter’s themes of desire make it a perfect follow-up toSweet Homeas the evil spirits depicted in the sci-fi K-drama enhance a person’s desire to kill. Along with this,The Uncanny Counterhas great performances from its leading cast and incredible action scenes, making it a K-drama that should not be missed.
Gyeongseong Creature
Gyeongseong Creature is an action horror-thriller television series that Kang Eun-kyung and Chung Dong-yoon created for Netflix. Set in 1945 during the Japanese occupation of Korea, Jang Tae-Sang, a wealthy informant in the heart of Gyeongseong, and Yoon Chae-ok, a highly skilled investigator, come together to face a literal creature created from the cumulative greed of humanity.
Gyeongseong Creatureis one of2024’s best K-dramas, and it shares a lot of the same themes asSweet Home. Both K-dramas focus on a mysterious monster-based threat, and whileGyeongseong Creature’s is confirmed to be a result of human experimentation, the source ofSweet Home’s viral outbreak is never revealed. However,Gyeongseong Creature’s historical setting adds a new layer of intrigue to the series, as it focuses on the real-life atrocities of Imperial Japanese Unit 731 during the Japanese occupation of Korea.
Although the source ofSweet Home’s viral outbreak is never confirmed, it is implied to have been a result of Dr. Lim’s experiments. Another theory is that the virus is supernatural.
Gyeongseong Creature’s all-star cast led by Park Seo-joon and Han So-hee and incredible production value make it an excellent addition to any K-drama watchlist. Plus, the confirmation ofGyeongseong Creature’s different season 2 settingmeans that there will be plenty more of the monster-based thriller K-drama to enjoy soon. The new season also is confirmed to take place in the present day, making it an ideal next watch afterSweet Home.
Parasyte: The Grey
“Parasyte: The Grey” imagines a world where alien parasites begin taking over human hosts, blending horror with psychological drama. The story follows a young man who forms a symbiotic relationship with his alien parasite, leading to a morally complex journey as they confront other parasites threatening humanity. This adaptation adds a unique twist, focusing on the grey areas of survival, identity, and the essence of being human.
Parasyte: The Greyhas a very similar concept toSweet Homeand is perfect for fans who loved its tale of monster invasions over zombies. Based in the same universe asParasyte: The Maxim(2014),Parasyte: The Greyworks as a stand-alone addition to the series. It focuses on the invasion of parasites in South Korea rather than Japan and sees them turn humans into emotionless hosts. It is not tied to the Japanese moviesParasyte Part 1(2014),Parasyte Part 2(2015), and the anime
Parasyte: The Grey’s Jeong Su-in (Jeon So-nee) shares a lot in common withSweet Home’s Cha Hyun-su.Like Hyun-su, Su-in is infected by a parasite, but they exist in a symbiotic state that allows Heidi (the parasite) to protect Su-in whenever she feels threatened. Similarly,Parasyte: The Greyis a decidedly human tale. The development of Jeong Su-in’s characters builds a much-needed human connection to the story while also giving it a basis for some great action scenes that help to bring this strange tale to life.
Hellbound
Netflix’s Hellbound is a Korean Drama and Dark Fantasy series that is directed by Yeon Sang-ho and based on his graphic novel, The Hellbound Volume 1. The series takes place in a modern fantastical version of Korea in which strange creatures pick and choose individuals to send to Hell.
Hellboundis another resounding success for Netflix’s K-drama slate, with thesupernatural K-dramaeven surpassing the likes ofSquid Gameas it became an overnight international sensation.Hellbound’s premise is the same as the webtoon it’s based on and sees an otherworldly being known as an angel begin to condemn people to Hell. However, their fate could see them wait seconds or even years.
WhileHellboundmay be a divisive watch, its success certainly cannot be denied.Hellboundhas been nominated for 14 awards to date, with actress Lee Sae-rok being the show’s stand-out star with an impressive 4 wins for her role as Park Jung-ja. Lee Sae-rok would also go on to star as one ofSweet Home 2’s best new characters, Chief Ji, and unite these two projects with her effortless portrayal of complex characters. However, fans ofSweet Homewill ultimately enjoyHellbound’s supernatural elements and its unique storyline to match.
Squid Game
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
Squid Game’s upcoming second season is one of the most anticipated K-dramas of 2024. The thriller K-drama rose to the top of Netflix’s charts with its story of contestants fighting for survival through brutal children’s games. Much likeSweet Home,Squid Game’s story was deeply human and came with devastating consequences for its leading character, Sung Gi-hun (Lee Jae-joon). Though little is known about thestory ofSquid Gameseason 2, it has been confirmed thattwo ofSweet Home’s cast members will star in its next installment.
Along with returning cast members Lee Jae-joon, Wi Ha-joon, and Gong Yoo,Sweet Homealum Park Gyu-young and Lee Jin-uk will be joining the castof the thriller K-drama. Little is known about the roles they will have in the show. However, their performances as Yoon Ji-su and Pyeon Sang-wook/Nam Sang-won inSweet Homemake them perfect additions toSquid Game’s cast. Park Gyu-young and Lee Jin-uk will be joined by an array of veteran and new stars that ensureSquid Game’s second season is just as well anticipated asSweet Home’s.
I Can’t Wait To See This Rising K-Drama Star In Squid Game Season 2
Park Gyu-young has blown audiences away with brilliant performances in the K-dramas Sweet Home and Celebrity. Now she’s coming to Squid Game season 2.
Hell Is Other People
Hell Is Other People is a South Korean psychological thriller that centers on Jong-Woo, a young man who relocates to Seoul for a new job and moves into a run-down apartment complex. Directed by Lee Chang-Hee, this series unravels as Jong-Woo encounters unsettling and mysterious neighbors, gradually becoming entangled in the eerie happenings within the building. The show delves into themes of paranoia and the darkness of human nature.
Also known asStrangers From Hell,Hell is Other Peopleis an incredible psychological thriller that does not fail to impress. Complete with an all-star cast includingMisaeng’s Im Si-wan,Goblin’s Lee Dong-wook andParasite’s Lee Jung-eun,Hell is Other People’s captivating story that focuses on Yoon Jong-woo’s and the creepy residents of Eden Studio. Though it does not necessarily include the monsters thatSweet Homehas become known for, it is a great character study and an enticing psychological thriller full of amazing performances from its cast.
UnlikeSweet Home,Hell is Other Peoplebegins slowly.However, when it does pick up its speed, it does so with a ferocious intensity that makes it hard to forget. Every episode is full of intense and engaging scenes that ultimately enhance the K-dramas shock factor and the creepiness it has become well known. As such, fans of the thriller aspects ofSweet Homeshould not miss one of South Korea’s best thriller K-dramas to date.
Kingdom
Based on the webtoonThe Kingdom of the Gods,Kingdom is a 2019 South Korean historical drama-horror series created for Netflix. Lee Chang, the crown prince of a fictional interpretation of 16th-century Korea, is forced to stand in for his ailing father as a plague begins to ravage their homeland, all while fighting off would-be-usurpers to the throne.
As Netflix’s first original K-drama series, it’s safe to say thatSweet Homecouldn’t have succeeded without the critical success ofKingdom.Kingdomweaves a zombie outbreak within a historical context, creating an incredibly enticing story that spans two seasons as well as a spin-off,Kingdom: Ashin of the North. Starring the likes of Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doo-na and Bae Seung-ryung,Kingdomis an intense yet short series that shows South Korean horror at its very best.
ThoughKingdomultimately took the title as Netflix’s first original K-drama, it was not the first to be commissioned. This award goes to the romance K-dramaLove Alarm, which was released just over six months afterKingdomin August 2019. Coincidentally,Love Alarmalso starsSweet Home’s leading actor, Song Kang, and began his reign as the “Son of Netflix”.
Like many K-dramas of the genre,Kingdomis much more than a simple zombie story.Political and social context is woven throughout the series, thanks to a deftly written script from writer Kim Eun-hee. Mixed in with the dark undertones of Korean royalty,Kingdomtakes a genre that South Korea is well known for and elevates it to new heights with its exceptional production, making it perfect for fans who want to enjoy something new.
Happiness
Happiness (2021) is a South Korean drama series directed by Ahn Gil-ho. Set in a post-apocalyptic world plagued by a deadly virus, the plot centers around a group of people quarantined in an apartment complex as they navigate survival and psychological challenges. Park Hyung-sik and Han Hyo-joo lead the cast, portraying characters who face moral dilemmas and societal breakdowns while striving to maintain their humanity.
Happinesstakes the best things aboutSweet Home’s first season and pushes it to the next level. Much likeSweet Home,Happinessfocuses on the outbreak of a mysterious virus and its effects on the residents of a single apartment block. However, instead of turning people into monsters, they turn into zombies which makes for some incredible action scenes, particularly by the leading couple Yoon Sae-bom (Han Hyo-joo) and Jung Yi-hyun (Park Hyun-sik).
Happiness’s concept is relatively simple, yet it has a lot to say. While it primarily focuses on the impending zombie invasion, it is also a stark commentary on social class as there is an internal struggle between those who live on the upper and lower floors.Happinessis a superbly written K-dramathat’s character focus makes it hard not to watch in one sitting. Plus, the addition of a fake-marriage trope seems like an odd addition to azombie K-drama, however, it givesHappinessa unique heart that makes it flourish in an oversaturated genre.
All Of Us Are Dead
All of Us Are Dead is a South Korean series that centers on a high school overrun by a zombie virus outbreak. The students, facing an unprecedented crisis, must navigate survival while combating the threat of becoming part of the undead horde.
WithAll of Us Are Dead’s second season looming,there is no better K-drama to watch afterSweet Home’s conclusion.All of Us Are Deadalso takes on a zombie K-drama storyline which sees a group of high school students deal with the outbreak on their own. Although its story is nothing particularly new in this genre, it is executed exceptionally well with incredibly well-written and performed characters that make the K-drama hard not to be moved by, whether it be through admiration or hate.
LikeSweet Home’s first season,All of Us Are Deadonly focuses on the effects of the zombie outbreak in a high school and does so with devastating consequences. However, withAll of Us Are Deadrenewed for a second season, it promises to expand its world just likeSweet Homehas done. Characters such as half-human half-zombie Nam-ra promise to add more depth to the universe just asSweet Home’s Cha Hyun-su has done, and makes the upcoming season seem well worth the wait.
