Horror films in Korea typically involve an apparition and there are plenty of these films. But not all ghost movies are scary. These are my favorite friendly ghost films from Korea and all are comedy-drama genre.

헬로우 고스트 (Hel.lo.u Go.su.tu)
English Title – Hello Ghost

Yes the Korean title of this film is actually English but said with the local accent. Sang-man is a very sad man. He’s depressed enough he has long ago decided he wants his life to end, but he isn’t capable enough to end it. Each suicide attempt ends with him still alive. Except this last attempt was different; it left him with the ability to see a family of ghosts. The ghosts seem surprised by this as well but quickly saddle him everywhere he goes.

The father ghost enjoys looking at the ladies, the chain-smoking ghost must not have much of a liver left with the amount of soju he consumes, the sad ghost can’t seem to hold in her tears, and the boy ghost just wants to eat candy and pick his nose.

But Sang-man is quite confused as he can’t figure out why they are spending so much time with him as he sometimes can’t get their attention.

Until he finally asks them what they want so he’ll be left alone.

“Hello Ghost” was written/directed by new director Kim Yeong-tak (김영탁) and I also recommend “A Bold Family/Super Family” (간 큰 가족) which he also wrote. This was one of the top 10 selling films in Korea in 2010 and the remake rights have been sold with Chris Columbus set to direct. You may not know who Chris Columbus is but a quick search will show a number of recognizable films.

귀신이산다 (Gui.shin.ee San.da)
English Title – Ghost House

Before Seung-won’s father passed away he wished his son could save up and purchase a property for himself. Well that dream is finally coming true as Seung-won purchases a two-story home (and remember most everyone in Korea lives in apartments). Despite moving in alone he finds the house was not truly vacant as a ghost tries her best to scare him out of her home.

The police don’t take him seriously, exorcisms don’t work as the exorcists themselves get freaked out, his hands turn to feet, his phobia of chickens comes to a comical reality, and eventually gets zapped by lightening. Similar to in “Hello Ghost” this near-death experience now allows him to see his tormentor.

And instead of being frightened away he now stands up to her. And once he hears that he can sell the property to someone who wants to tear it down, he holds the power over the ghost. Now it’s her turn to be afraid.

삼거리 극장 (Sam.geo.ri Geuk.jang)
English Title – The Ghost Theater / Midnight Ballad for Ghost Theater

A young girl tries to find her missing grandmother late one evening but can’t locate her. Before the grandmother disappeared she quipped about wanting to visit the Samgeori Movie Theater again to see the film which she starred in. The granddaughter makes her way over there but no one has seen the grandmother. Cryptically the owner tries to warn her and then remarks about it being fate.

With no future, no other family, and needing to pay the rent, she works the ticket booth. Smoking alone in the theater she is confronted by several ghosts, which just happen to look like the old hands who work there. We gradually learn about them and a mysterious monster film shot and censored during the Japanese occupation.

One of the film websites I frequent put this film into the categories of action, comedy, musical, and fear. At times it felt indie, at times drama, and numerous times they broke out into song. From sad ballads to the rock style song “Don’t Give Me That Shit” (and yes I recorded it and put it on my iPod) it’s a pleasure to see a film where I am not sure what will happen next and a musical on top of that is a bonus.

The director hasn’t been involved in much but four of the main actors have been in tons of other films so if you particularly enjoy someone then you’ve got some other films to look up.

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About the author

Richard Moore holds a B.A. in film production and has finished his M.A. in English
Education in Seoul. You can see other posts about the life of him and his wife in Korea at www.rickandnyo.com.

Richard was my roommate in Seoul and now is a very good friend of mine. He and Nyo are undoubtedly my guiding light whenever I am in doubt about anything related to life in Korea.