Entertainment Blog #383 | Monstrous [2022 :] : Cursed Statue Unearthed...
South Korean web series horror thrillers have become more common, but Monstrous feels like one that tries to mix psychological terror with supernatural mystery in a way that really sticks with you. The blend of folklore, ancient curses, and rural tension gives it an eerie vibe that is rare for a six-episode show, and honestly, I was curious to see how all the elements would play out from beginning to end.
“Monstrous” is a #supernatural #horror #Kdrama series from 2022 that runs for six episodes of about 40 minutes each. It was developed by TVING and Studio Dragon. It stars Koo Kyo-hwan and Shin Hyun-been in the lead roles, with a supporting cast including Kim Ji-young, Park Ho-san, Kwak Dong-yeon, and Nam Da-reum. The show originally streamed on TVING in April 2022 and later aired on OCN.
The story starts in Jinyang County, where archaeologist Jung Ki-hoon had been studying strange supernatural phenomena and now publishes an occult magazine and runs a channel about eerie mysteries. When his ex-wife Lee Soo-jin, also an archaeologist, experiences bizarre events after moving to the countryside, they both get drawn into a terrifying mystery involving an ancient, unearthed Buddha statue said to be cursed. As the statue’s presence spreads through the town, it unleashes horrifying effects that begin turning people into something unrecognizable and dangerous.
Everything shifts from a local curiosity to a full-blown supernatural crisis that threatens the entire community. The statue’s influence grows, strange phenomena amplify, and those investigating it are forced into moral and personal conflicts with the unknown. The series doesn’t waste time building up the mystery, but sometimes moves so fast that it leaves gaps in character development, even as the stakes become clearer.
Because this show deals with folklore and village myths, it carries a social layer about how communities handle fear and the unknown. In a rural context, ancient beliefs and modern unbelief clash as characters wrestle with trauma, loss, and what they are willing to believe when things start going horribly wrong.
Critic response has been mixed. While Korean outlets and genre fans appreciated the atmospheric tension and performances by the main cast, some reviewers pointed out that the limited run of only six episodes feels too short for the story it tries to tell, and the pacing can leave the supernatural lore feeling rushed or underdeveloped. Audience reaction online reflects similar sentiments, with some viewers liking the haunting build-up and others wishing for a deeper exploration of the mystery and characters.
So is Monstrous worth watching? If you enjoy supernatural stories that lean into mystery and folklore more than jump scares, and if you don’t mind a series that feels more like a crisis unfolding than a neat resolution, then this one can be a solid weekend pick. It might not be the most fleshed-out horror fantasy out there, but the eerie atmosphere and the way the supernatural elements are woven into a small community make it different from typical ghost stories.