Korean thrillers are good at keeping viewers glued to the screen. Maybe it’s the twisty unpredictability. Maybe it’s the way they blur the lines between hero and villain. Whatever it is, Korean psychological thrillers are a hit with Netflix users worldwide.

From serial killers and mysterious cults to mind games and survival nightmares, these films deliver suspense in a way few others can. If you're looking for movies that will keep you guessing until the very end, here are nine Korean psychological thrillers worth adding to your watchlist.

1. The Call

This is one of the most popular Korean thrillers on Netflix. Two women are living in different times but are connected via a mysterious phone call. Their unlikely friendship turns into a terrifying game of manipulation. Packed with shocking twists and an unforgettable villain, this film is the definition of a psychological rollercoaster.

  • Cast: Park Shin Hye, Jeon Jong Seo, Kim Sung Ryung, Lee El
  • Director: Lee Chung Hyun
  • Language: Korean
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Science Fiction
  • Release Date: November 27, 2020

2. Unlocked

A lost smartphone becomes the source of pure terror in Unlocked. The plot involves a girl who loses her phone to a potentially threatening stranger. When she starts losing her privacy because of him, her whole life falls apart. The scary thing about this movie is that it could happen to anyone nowadays. It's a thriller that may make you think twice before leaving your phone unattended.

  • Cast: Chun Woo Hee, Yim Si Wan, Kim Hee Won, Park Ho San, Kim Ye Won, Oh Hyun Kyung, Kim Joo Ryong, Gil Hae Yeon
  • Director: Kim Tae Joon
  • Language: Korean
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller
  • Release Date: February 17, 2023

3. Silenced

Whereas most thrillers focus on made-up mysteries, Silenced takes inspiration from true-life experiences. Silenced tells the story of a teacher whose discoveries about child abuse at a school for children with hearing disabilities sparks a struggle against an unjust and corrupt system. The emotional weight of the story makes it a difficult watch at times, but also one of the most powerful Korean films available on Netflix.

  • Cast: Gong Yoo, Jung Yu Mi, Kim Hyun Soo, Jung In Seo
  • Director: Hwang Dong Hyuk
  • Language: Korean
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Crime, Drama
  • Release Date: September 22, 2011

4. The Chaser

If you're looking for an old-school mystery thriller, The Chase deserves a spot on your list. The plot centers on an obdurate landlord and a retired detective who collaborate to solve a series of murders that have links to a long-past case. When secrets start coming out in the open, the case heads in some surprising directions. The film combines suspense, mystery, and psychological tension while keeping viewers engaged until the final reveal.

  • Cast: Kim Yoon Seok, Ha Jung Woo, Seo Young Hee, Park Hyo Joo, Jung In Gi, Kim You Jung
  • Director: Na Hong Jin
  • Language: Korean
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Action
  • Release Date: February 14, 2008

5. Yaksha: Ruthless Operations

Yaksha: Ruthless Operations brings espionage and psychological warfare together in one intense package. The movie takes place in the realm of international espionage, where a strictly legal lawyer is tasked with uncovering the workings of a well-known group of spies operating in an extremely hazardous city. The story reveals itself in unexpected ways, and everybody seems to have something to hide. Fast-paced and packed with double-crosses, it's a thriller that rewards close attention.

  • Cast: Sul Kyung Gu, Park Hae Soo, Yang Dong Geun, Lee El, Song Jae Rim, Park Jin Young
  • Director: Na Hyeon
  • Language: Korean
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Spy, Action
  • Release Date: April 8, 2022

6. Forgotten

Few Korean thrillers are recommended as often as Forgotten. It all starts with the abduction of the young man’s brother and his unexpected return after some days. However, things seem to be strange and the young man finds himself unraveling a terrible truth. The less you know before watching, the better. This is a movie built around surprises.

  • Cast: Kang Ha Neul, Kim Mu Yeol, Moon Sung Keun, Na Young Hee
  • Director: Jang Hang Jun
  • Language: Korean
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
  • Release Date: November 29, 2017

7. Revelations

Revelations is one of the newest Korean thrillers on Netflix that delves into the themes of faith, obsession, and morality. The plot revolves around the intertwining of the lives of the main characters as they discover a number of revelations. Issues such as justice, faith, and personal ramifications arise as a result. Its dark atmosphere and psychological themes make it a compelling watch.

  • Cast: Ryu Jun Yeol, Shin Hyun Been, Shin Min Jae
  • Director: Yeon Sang Ho
  • Language: Korean
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
  • Release Date: March 21, 2025

8. Svaha: The Sixth Finger

Svaha: The Sixth Finger blends religion, cults, and mysteries into one. A pastor embarks on an investigation of a mysterious cult that is associated with a series of troubling events. As the plot unfolds, everything just gets weirder and weirder. Blending supernatural elements with psychological suspense, the movie keeps viewers questioning what is real until the very end.

  • Cast: Lee Jung Jae, Park Jeong Min, Lee Jae In, Jung Jin Young, Jin Seon Kyu, Lee David
  • Director: Jang Jae Hyun
  • Language: Korean
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Mystery
  • Release Date: February 20, 2019

9. #Alive

#Alive could initially be perceived as another movie in the genre of zombies. However, it can also be classified as an excellent psychological thriller of survival. The movie describes a story about a young man struggling to stay alive by himself in his own apartment after the breakout of deadly infections. The sense of loneliness and fear makes the movie surprisingly intense.

  • Cast: Yoo Ah In, Park Shin Hye, Jeon Bae Soo, Lee Hyun Wook, Oh Hye Won
  • Director: Cho Il Hyung
  • Language: Korean
  • Genre: Psychological Thriller, Action, Post-apocalyptic
  • Release Date: September 8, 2020

Final Take

Korean thrillers are known for crafting intelligent, surprising, and thrilling plots. Regardless of whether it is a time-altering plot in The Call, realistic horror in Unlocked, or mind-boggling twists in Forgotten, each of the movies featured here is sure to entertain you. So if you want to be engrossed in suspense and mysteries, check out this list of nine Netflix thrillers below.