5 Series about Villages that Hold Secrets of the Past, Must-See on Your Watchlist

Kapanlagi.com - Korean dramas often feature mysterious settings as an essential part of building narrative tension. Remote villages, small towns, and foreign areas can become the center of various unexpected events. A series of shows about villages that hold secrets of the past offers a chilling atmosphere through the stories of the residents, old cases, and strange occurrences.

The rural atmosphere usually gives a calm impression at the beginning of the story. Gradually, the lives of the characters begin to reveal hidden sides through missing persons cases, murders, cults, and supernatural events. In series about villages that hold secrets of the past, viewers are invited to trace various clues while searching for connections between current events and past tragedies.

For lovers of thrillers, mysteries, and horror stories, the setting of a remote village can provide a more intense viewing experience. The storyline not only focuses on crime but also explores trauma, family relationships, beliefs, and the consequences of past events. The following series about villages that hold secrets of the past can be a choice for viewers who love stories filled with puzzles.

1. Missing: The Other Side (Missing: The Other Side)

Source: IMDb

Genre: Fantasy, mystery, thriller
Airing: OCN in 2020, then tvN in 2022–2023
Number of episodes: 26 episodes in 2 seasons
Director: Min Yeon-hong
Writers: Ban Gi-ri and Jeong So-young

Main Cast

Go Soo as Kim Wook: Kim Wook is a skilled con artist who actually has a good heart. By chance, he discovers Duon Village, a supernatural place where the spirits of missing people gather. This encounter leads him to become involved in helping the spirits find their bodies and uncover the truth behind their deaths.

Heo Joon-ho as Jang Pan-seok: Jang Pan-seok is a mysterious man who has lived in Duon Village for a long time. He has the ability to see spirits and then collaborates with Kim Wook to help the villagers find the truth regarding their cases.

Ahn So-hee as Lee Jong-ah: Lee Jong-ah is a civil servant and a talented hacker. She becomes a close friend of Kim Wook and assists in the investigation process through her technological skills. During the day, she lives as a government employee, while outside of work, she uses her hacking abilities to aid various investigations.

Ha Jun as Shin Joon-ho: Shin Joon-ho is an elite detective who undergoes a major change in his life after his fiancée, Choi Yeo-na played by Seo Eun-soo, disappears one month before their wedding. The case drives him to work hard to find his fiancée while also uncovering the mystery behind the missing people.

Synopsis

Missing: The Other Side follows the story of Kim Wook, a con artist who accidentally discovers Duon Village, a supernatural place for the spirits of missing people. The inhabitants of the village are the souls of people whose bodies have not yet been found in the real world. They cannot leave the place until their bodies are discovered and the truth about their deaths is revealed.

Initially, Kim Wook just wanted to leave the village. However, things changed when he learned that his own mother was there. His mother did not recognize his face, which made Kim Wook even more driven to help the inhabitants of Duon Village.

The second season expands the story's world through a new location called Industrial Complex 3. The story also introduces several additional characters, including Lee Jung-eun and Kim Dong-hwi. The mystery surrounding the souls of the missing remains an important part of the story's development.

2. Beyond Evil (Beyond Evil)

Source: IMDb

Genre: Psychological thriller, crime procedural
Broadcast: JTBC, February 19 to April 10, 2021
Number of episodes: 16
Director: Shim Na-yeon
Writer: Kim Soo-jin
Awards: Best Drama, Best Actor for Shin Ha-kyun, and Best Screenplay at the 2021 Baeksang Arts Awards

Main Cast

Shin Ha-kyun as Lee Dong-sik: Lee Dong-sik is a former great detective who was later demoted and assigned to the Manyang Police Station. Twenty years earlier, he was suspected of being involved in the case of his sister's disappearance.

Yeo Jin-goo as Han Joo-won: Han Joo-won is a young, accomplished detective from an influential family. He is transferred to the Manyang Police Station and becomes Lee Dong-sik's superior. Behind his professional abilities, Joo-won harbors several secrets related to the case they are investigating.

Synopsis

About 20 years ago, the small town of Manyang was shaken by a series of missing women cases. One of the victims was Lee Dong-sik's sister. The case was never solved and even led to Dong-sik being suspected as the perpetrator.

Two decades later, a murder occurs again in Manyang. The pattern of events reminds the community of the unsolved serial murder case from the past. Lee Dong-sik and Han Joo-won then collaborate to find the perpetrator, even though they both suspect each other.

The investigation slowly uncovers the secrets of the residents of Manyang. Each person seems to have something to hide, including themselves. The question of who the real monster in the case is becomes the main focus of the story.

This drama highlights the atmosphere of a small town full of secrets, complex character relationships, and high-pressure criminal investigations. The story often invites the audience to question the boundaries between good people and criminals.

3. Save Me (Save Me)

Source: IMDb

Genre: Thriller, mystery, psychological suspense
Broadcast: OCN, August 5 to September 24, 2017
Number of episodes: 16
Director: Kim Sung-soo
Writers: Jung Yi-do and Jung Shin-kyoo
Adapted from: Webcomic Out of the World by Jo Geum-san

Main Cast

Seo Ye-ji as Im Sang-mi: Im Sang-mi moves from Seoul to the rural area of Muji-gun with her family due to economic problems. Her family's situation becomes more complicated after her younger brother experiences mental issues due to bullying.

Ok Taec-yeon as Han Sang-hwan: Han Sang-hwan is one of the four young men who meet Sang-mi. He is the son of the governor of Muji and later helps Sang-mi face dangerous situations.

Woo Do-hwan as Seok Dong-cheol: Seok Dong-cheol is one of the four young men trying to help Sang-mi out of her difficult situation.

David Lee as Woo Jung-hoon: Woo Jung-hoon becomes part of the group of young men trying to save Sang-mi from the influence of the religious group.

Ha Hoe-jung as Choi Man-hee: Choi Man-hee is also part of the group of four young men who help Sang-mi.

Jo Sung-ha as Baek Jung-ki: Baek Jung-ki is the leader of Goseonwon. He appears as a charismatic religious figure capable of influencing many, but behind that image lies manipulative practices and violence.

Synopsis

The story begins when four young men accidentally meet a woman in a narrow alley. The woman asks for help while uttering the phrase, "Save me." The woman is Im Sang-mi, a girl whose family is slowly being trapped under the influence of the Goseonwon religious group.

Goseonwon appears to be a peaceful religious place from the outside. However, behind its appearance lie manipulative practices, psychological pressure, and violence against its followers. Sang-mi finds it increasingly difficult to leave the group after her family comes under the influence of the Goseonwon leader.

The four young men then try to help Sang-mi escape from that environment. They must face various pressures and manipulations while looking for ways to uncover the dark side of Goseonwon.

This drama raises themes of religious manipulation, friendship, courage, and the struggle against authority that abuses power. Save Me also has a second season titled Save Me 2 that aired in 2019, but presents a different story and characters in a location called Wolchoori.

4. The Guest (The Guest)

Source: IMDb

Genre: Supernatural, horror, thriller, mystery
Airing: OCN, September 12 to November 1, 2018
Number of episodes: 16
Director: Kim Hong-sun
Writers: Seo Jae-won and Kwon So-ra

Main Cast

Kim Dong-wook as Yoon Hwa-pyung: Yoon Hwa-pyung is a young psychic with the sixth sense. He comes from a family of shamans and can see and feel the presence of supernatural beings. As a child, he experienced a major tragedy after his grandmother and mother died horrifically due to events related to evil forces.

Kim Jae-wook as Choi Yoon or Matthew: Choi Yoon is a Catholic priest with a cold, cynical, and unapproachable demeanor. Nevertheless, he is known for his abilities in dealing with possession cases and performing exorcisms.

Jung Eun-chae as Kang Gil-young: Kang Gil-young is a tough detective with a background in a police family. She tends to be skeptical about supernatural matters and relies more on evidence-based investigations.

Park Ho-san as Ko Bong-sang: Ko Bong-sang is Kang Gil-young's colleague in the police force and participates in various investigations.

Synopsis

Yoon Hwa-pyung is a young psychic from a family of shamans. He is aware of the existence of an evil entity named Son or Guest, a supernatural force that can influence and possess humans.

People under the influence of this force can experience extreme behavioral changes and commit horrifying acts. Hwa-pyung's own past is closely related to this power after a tragedy struck his family when he was a child.

Fate then brings Hwa-pyung, Choi Yoon, and Kang Gil-young together. The three of them have different backgrounds. Hwa-pyung relies on spiritual abilities, Choi Yoon uses Catholic faith and his exorcism skills, while Gil-young depends on police investigation methods.

Although they initially doubt each other, they eventually work together to find Park Il-do, a figure suspected to be closely related to the demon Son. The investigation brings them back to a tragedy that occurred more than two decades ago.

5. Possessed (Possessed)

Source: IMDb

Genre: Supernatural, thriller, comedy
Broadcast: OCN, March 6 to April 25, 2019
Number of episodes: 16
Director: Choi Do-hoon
Writer: Park Hee-kang

Main Cast

Song Sae-byeok as Kang Pil-sung: Kang Pil-sung is a detective with sharp instincts. He is known for being rough, lazy, and often speaking bluntly, but he actually has a soft heart. Pil-sung lost his mother at a young age after she committed suicide.

Go Joon-hee as Hong Seo-jung: Hong Seo-jung has strong psychic abilities but tries to hide them from others. She tends to keep her distance from her surroundings and leads a rather reclusive life.

Yeon Jung-hoon as Oh Soo-hyeok: Oh Soo-hyeok becomes one of the bodies used by the spirit of Hwang Dae-doo. The presence of this spirit becomes an important part of the supernatural events that the main characters must face.

Jo Han-sun as Sun Yang-woo: Sun Yang-woo is a well-known hospital doctor with a disturbing interest in a serial killer.

Synopsis

An evil force disrupts the balance of human life after the spirit of a serial killer who was executed 20 years earlier reappears. The emergence of this spirit is also related to the spirit of the detective who once captured him.

While investigating a serial murder case, Kang Pil-sung begins to undergo changes after his inner abilities awaken. He can see the spirits of the victims and then meets Hong Seo-jung, a woman with psychic abilities.

The two eventually collaborate, using their respective abilities. Pil-sung relies on his investigative experience as a detective, while Seo-jung utilizes her supernatural powers to confront evil spirits.

The spirits can move from one body to another, making the investigation increasingly difficult. The situation becomes more complicated when these powers are related to several important figures, including a wealthy businessman.

6. Questions About Series Set in Villages That Hold Secrets of the Past

What is a series about a village that holds secrets of the past?

This series usually features stories set in villages or small towns full of mystery. The life of the local community seems calm from the outside, but various past events such as disappearances, murders, cults, or supernatural phenomena gradually come to light.

Why are village-set stories suitable for the mystery genre?

Village environments tend to have smaller communities, making relationships among residents feel close. When a secret emerges, almost every character may have a connection or important information regarding the case.

What is the main appeal of mysterious village-themed series?

The main appeal lies in the atmosphere, puzzles, secretive characters, and the gradual revelation of facts. Viewers are usually kept curious about past events and their impact on present life.

Are all series about secret-filled villages included in the thriller genre?

No. The stories can blend mystery, psychological thrillers, horror, fantasy, crime, family drama, or supernatural elements.

(kpl/ses)