Intense Survival-Themed Movies And Dramas To Watch After "Squid Game"

Oct 13, 2021

Less than a month ago, Netflix presented their most viral production to date as they released “Squid Game.” This global hit needs no introduction as it has become one of the most viewed Netflix shows since its first release on September 17, landing the No. 1 spot in over 90 countries and on its way to becoming the streaming service’s most watched TV show of all time. For some viewers, this is the first Korean work they have ever watched, and naturally, they would be eager to watch more Korean productions that deliver that same adrenaline rush the nine-episode drama had provided them with.

Whether you have time to binge-watch an entire show or are simply looking for a quick watch, we’ve got you covered. Here are some survival-themed movies and dramas that will keep you on the edge of your seats. Happy (and intense) viewing!

1. “Train to Busan”

If you watched “Squid Game,” you know that the gentleman who recruited the players is none other than Gong Yoo. Taking on a lead role in “Train to Busan,” he plays Seo Seok Woo, a workaholic and divorced absentee father who is accompanying his daughter Seo Su An (Kim Su An) to Busan so she can spend her birthday with her mother. Due to a chemical leak, a zombie outbreak floods South Korea, dividing people into victims and predators. Having to deal with this crisis on the train, Seok Woo does whatever it takes to guarantee the safety of his daughter.

Starring alongside Ma Dong Seok and Jung Yu Mi whose characters are also boarding the train, the entire cast delivered an incredible performance full of suspense, emotions, and a top tier portrayal of survival instinct.

Watch “Train to Busan” now:

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2. “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds”

Just when you think your suffering has ended with your death, the Divine has a different plan for you. Kim Ja Hong, played by Cha Tae Hyun, is a firefighter who lost his life in the line of duty. Gang Rim (Ha Jung Woo), Hae Won Maek (Joo Ji Hoon), and Lee Deok Choon (Kim Hyang Gi) are three guardians who escort him to the afterlife. There is only one catch: he needs to pass a series of trials to prove his worthiness and escape eternal damnation.

The actors did their characters justice as they embodied their respective roles with utmost passion and dedication. In fact, the delivery was so flawless that you’d forget for a second that this is merely a fictional story and genuinely root for the main character to earn his redemption.

Watch “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds” now:

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3. “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days”

Aside from Cha Tae Hyun, the lead actors reprise their roles in this sequel where the narrative takes a completely different turn. Joined by Kim Dong Wook as Kim Soo Hong and Ma Dong Seok as Seongju, God of the house, their current mission is to guide their 49th soul through the trials in hopes of being redeemed and regaining not only their freedom, but also their memories.

A rollercoaster of emotions can be vividly witnessed, and the acting level remains just as mind-blowing as the former. We also get to fully enjoy Ma Dong Seok’s entertaining enacting throughout the movie.

Watch “Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days” now:

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4. “The Devil Judge”

What would you do if justice was at the hands of the devil? Ji Sung is Kang Yo Han, the head judge of the highest court of a dystopian futuristic South Korea, who has earned himself the “devil judge” nickname as chaos roams his court. Kim Ga On (Jinyoung) and Yoon Soo Hyun (Park Gyu Young) are a rookie orphan judge and a police officer, respectively, who join forces to retrieve the true meaning of justice for the sake of the survival of their people. With Jung Sun Ah (Kim Min Jung) in the way as an ambitious entrepreneur and Kang Yo Han taking matters into his own hands, restoring justice has never been so challenging.

Ji Sung makes a stellar comeback in this drama alongside a list of exquisite actors who have impressed with their genuine and convincing performance that kept the audience on their toes. Needless to say, this work is a must-binge-watch!

Watch “The Devil Judge” now:

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5. “Liar Game”

Either you lie or you lose. Based on the Japanese manga of the same name, “Liar Game” tells the story of Nam Da Jung (Kim So Eun), a naive college student who is invited to join a survival reality show with the chance of winning 10 billion won. Ambushed by one of the participating players, she desperately seeks help from Ha Woo Jin (Lee Sang Yoon), an ex-con artist and former psychology professor to help her win the survival game.

The actors successfully embody their characters’ personas so that wits, thrill, empathy, and betrayal all come together to encapsulate the emotional crescendo of this drama. The level of suspense is simply unmatched.

6. “Sweet Home”

Nothing screams survival like an apocalyptic horror story. Following the death of his family, Cha Hyun Soo (Song Kang) moves out of his house and into a shared apartment. Shortly after, the building where he resides is attacked by a swarm of monsters which keeps him and his roommates trapped inside. The residents join hands to fight these horrendous creatures for as long as they can, hoping to escape the fate that people outside the building were met with.

From start to finish, the drama is dark, bloody, and explosive. The acting skills in this piece are outstanding, combining breathtaking action scenes and heart-wrenching moments as the storyline progresses.

7. “Strangers From Hell”

Also known as “Hell Is Other People,” this drama is about Yoon Jong Woo (Im Siwan), a writer who moves to Seoul upon landing a job in the city. Low on cash, he settles for a cheap dormitory. As he meets his fellow neighbors, including Seo Moon Jo (Lee Dong Wook), a weird dentist, he starts picking up on ominous incidents and realizes that things are not what they seem.

Im Siwan and Lee Dong Wook impress in this eerie plot with an excellent performance that would send chills down anyone’s spine. It’s fair to say that this psychological thriller takes survival to a whole new level.