31 Days of Asian Horror: Ten Vampire Dramas/Movies
I needed a bit of a mental health day today and so I figured instead of a full review I’d list some fun vampire dramas and movies options since it’s a Thirsty Thursday. I focused this list more on dramas and movies that are currently available, and don’t actually reflect my personal favorites nor are they even all considered horror. Most of the offerings on this list I haven’t seen personally, but this list does have a good variety in horror levels and hopefully you can find something that will work for you.
Tokyo Vampire Hotel (2017)
One of my favorite offerings on Amazon Prime, if you haven’t watched this Sion Sono directed drama about vampires trying to create their own utopia - and their own food supply - under the guise of a matchmaking party you are missing out. It’s a campy, blood-filled ride and I love it.
Where to find it: Amazon Prime
The Sweet Blood (2021)
This small web series aired early this year, the kdrama follows Yeon Soo, a vampire who wants to live a normal human life and tries to blend in by going to high school. When her classmate, Song Meo Roo attracts that unwanted attention from other vampires and werewolves because of his sweet blood Yeon Seo decides to protect him.
Where to find it: Viki
Vampire Princess Miyu OVA (1988)
The Vampire Princess Miyu series has been one of my all-time favorite animes for literally almost two decades, and while up until now I’ve had to do rewatches on my old DVDs, the OVA is now appearing on streaming sites. It is only currently the dubbed version, but this anime is worth a watch and follows a vampire, Miyu, and her protector Larva as she captures evil demons. The artwork is beautiful, and it has great character growth as well as an episodic monster of the week type vibe.
Where to find it: Tubi, RetroCrush, AsianCrush
Beautiful Vampire (2018)
A less horror more fantasy option is the 2018 movie, Beautiful Vampire about a vampire (Jung Yeon Joo) who runs a small makeup shop when the new building owner (Park Joon Myun) wants to kick her out. It’s a romcom with all the normal kdrama tropes that you can check off your list.
Where to find it: Viki, AsianCrush
I Cannot Hug You (2017)
Another light offering is the romantic/comedy cdrama, I Cannot Hug You starring Xing Zhao Lin and Rayil Zhang. A modern-day vampire story about an apathetic vampire who falls in love with her next door neighbor. I haven’t watched this personally, but it was pretty popular when it was airing and has two seasons.
Where to find it: Viki
You Are My Vampire (2014)
Struggling and down on her luck, Gyu Jung decides to write a novel about a vampire and encounters a strange man who rents a room at her dad's lodge.
Where to find it: AsianCrush
Orange Marmalade (2015)
Set in a world where humans and vampires coexist, vampires are discriminated against so most hide their true identity. Ma Ri (Kim Seol Hyun)hides her identity from her friends and neighbors, but things change when she falls in love with new student Jae Min (Yeo Jin Goo).
Where to find it: Viki, Kocowa
The Scholar Who Walks the Night (2015)
A Joseon scholar with a secret past recruits a cross-dressing bookseller to help him in his fight to protect the throne from a vampire. The kdrama stars Lee Joon Gi and Lee Yo Bi, with the screenwriter from Coffee Prince, Jang Hyun Joo, as well as a slew of other well-known actors. If you are looking for a more classic sageuk that incorporates vampires, this will be a great pick.
Where to find it: Viki, Kocowa
Blood (2015)
The kdrama Blood follows a renowned doctor who is best known for his cancer research, who is also a vampire. Blood is more of a medical based drama, with conflicts dealing in power struggles and humanity.
Where to find it: Viki, Kocowa
Vampire Knight (2008)
This 2008 anime is about Yuki Cross and vampire hunter Zero Kiryu, who attend a school as guardians to protect the humans from the vampires.
Where to find it: Netflix
Honorable Mentions
All of these are currently not streaming anywhere or easily accessible, but have in the past so they might pop up somewhere in the future.
Vampire Prosecutor (2011) - kdrama
Vampire Detective (2016) - kdrama
RH Plus (2008) - jdrama
Vampire Heaven (2013) - jdrama
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