South Korean Horror Movie Cliche Guide

You put on that South Korean horror DVD and think how original - even if they slightly copied Ring with the Sadako Syndrome. You then watch a few more, and suddenly it seems so samey! This slapped together guide is to point out the cliche among cliche among this phenomenon. 8 rules so cliche ridden that only those without a faint heart can possibly read!



Rule 1: Female Protaganist (Death Becomes Him Rule)
Nothing like watching a vunerable - yet usually pretty - female fall victim to ghosts, curses, and red shoes. Nearly anyone who is close to her, ends up in a horrible death that will just provoke the main character to solve their 'mysterious' death. They will get chased about, protect their children or leave their love interest in the background (if they survive) to uncover the truth! Usually the twist rule reverses this!



Rule 2: Long-Haired Ghost (Sadako Syndrome Rule)
It just isn't the same if this rule doesn't make an appearance! You need to have a long-haired ghost to make it an Asian horror film, or it will fail miserably. The S.Korean horror film industry seem to take it in their stride to include at least one. Bunshinsaba is the current record breaker with at least 3 - including the main two characters - because they wish they were as popular as Sadako.



Rule 3: The Big Twist (Surprise Rule)
You are watching through a film and think you have it all sussed out. But NO, in the last 5 minutes they throw out a twist that twists the previous twist even twistier - so much so, that it feels like they are covering up a plot hole or three. In the case of Ryung (Dead Friend/Ghost) it was done well but in The Doll Master it was laughable attempt that was totally expected and ended up with even more holes than a block of Swiss cheese. Results vary from film to film, but you can expect it 99% of the time! I'll just be disappointed if I see a film without this one.



Rule 4: We Are Not Lesbians (School Girl Horror Rule)
The main protaganist, especially if set in High School will have a group of friends or someone in their class - that's just more than a friend. Subtext ahoy and they will enjoy some time together but then the angst splits them apart/ they end up being dead! From what I've seen, it always ends up in tragedy. Just don't expect some hot girl on girl action anytime soon!



Rule 5: It's a Drama! (1% Horror Rule)
That wasn't even scary at all! But you still rate it a good film despite it having zero shock moments (it will still have the above rules however!). The only thing that is scary about this rule is that the film would be even better without the cheap tactics of horror! This applies to Memento Mori, Voice and the very scary Red Shoes. ;)



Rule 6: Closing The School (Suicide Rule)
Apparently after so many suicides, a school closes. This is taken into great effect in the School Girl Horror series (Whispering Corridors, Memento Mori, Wishing Stairs and Voice). Of course Bunshinsaba has to steal this idea as well and make it more OTT. See below!



Rule 7: Too Many Cliches Spoil the Film (Bunshinsaba rule)
Disregarding rule 5, we have rule 7. Bunshinsaba makes no effort than plaguerising every other film within the genre but goes so over the top, we can't take it seriously! Not just one possession but two at the same time! Half a dozen coincidences, rabid townspeople with pointy sticks and flaming torches. Just add in a few long haired ghosts, some suicidal school girls and voila - Bunshinsaba! It should be a great film, but ends up having no merits besides the 'suicides' which involves a plastic bag and a lighter.



Rule 8: It Made It! (Is this possible Rule?)
If a Horror film survives the rules - then it is not classed a S.Korean horror film and must be shunned especially how Bunshinsaba put the effort into copying everything!

So there you have it! The rules that must be put into every S.Korean horror film, the more the merrier (if too much - see rule 7)! The top 3 rules are the most important and are included in every one so far! Hope you all find this useful if delving into the Asian horror circuit - but in particular South Korean films.
Just don't try and point out too many cliches. ;)