Horror TV Programs to Chill Summer Nights

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

Do you need a break from the hot summer season? Public and cable television broadcasters have prepared horror programs just for the occasion.

The Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) is offering a polished version of "Korean Ghost Stories", a local horror program that first aired in 1977. While many horror films or dramas contain basic elements like murderers, ghosts and lots of blood, this show will offer horror with a hint of Korean tradition. A total of eight different episodes will be presented with different plots and backdrops, all related to Korean traditional myths and folk tales.

An episode called "Korean Ghost Stories - 2008 - Nine-Tailed Fox" will show the creepy tale about a young woman who was brutally murdered by her own brother. The women dies, but she is reincarnated as the legendary gumiho, or a fox with nine tails. Legend says that the gumiho can transform into anything. Usually the imaginary creature is known to change itself into a pretty lady and seduce men, and the story eventually leads to a deadly revenge or murder. Other episodes feature the mysterious tales of Korean traditional exorcism and shamanism. "Korean Ghost Stories" starts Aug. 6 and continues every Wednesday and Thursday at 9:55 p.m. on KBS2.

Cable channel tvN is currently airing Korea's first exorcism documentary "Exorcist" every Wednesday. The program features real stories of people allegedly possessed by ghosts and suffering other unexplainable pain and then sends exorcists, hypnotists or shaman to oust the "evil spirits". Instead of simply exposing these people to the viewers, the program aims to actually cure them.

"It may seem fake or just superstition, but regardless, there are actually many people suffering from these problems", said Baek Jong-hak, the host of the program. Watch these haunting real stories of people suffering from mysterious causes every Wednesday at midnight on tvN.

For hardcore scary movies, turn to cable channel SuperAction at midnight every Sunday. The channel is presenting the second season of "Masters of Horrors", a popular American television series created by famed director Mick Garris ("Psycho IV: The Beginning", 1990). The 13-episode series offers one-hour films made by prominent horror movies directors, including Tobe Hooper ("The Texas Chain Saw Massacre", 1974) and John Carpenter ("Halloween", 1978). SuperAction will offer two episodes every Sunday until August 3, a total of 10 films will be shown, excluding three that have been banned by the Korea Communications Standards Commission for extreme scenes and storylines.

For those who want to beat the summer heat through thrilling action, tune to cable channel XTM's "Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles". Produced by C2 Pictures and Warner Brothers, the producers of "Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)", the series will pump up adrenaline with its realistic action sequences. The story takes off from "Terminator 2: Judgment Day", where Connor is still protecting her son John from the deadly terminators tracking him down. Cameron, a fellow terminator who has been sent from the future to protect John, will add intensity to the already renowned Terminator series. "Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles" starts today at 11 p.m. and continues every Wednesday and Thursday on XTM.

Episode list:
Part 1: "Korean Ghost Stories - 2008 - Nine-Tailed Fox"
Part 2: "Korean Ghost Stories - 2008 - Baby, Let's Go to Cheong Mountain"
Part 3: "Korean Ghost Stories - 2008 - The Curse of the Sajin Sword"
Part 4: "Korean Ghost Stories - 2008 - Ghost Letter"
Part 5: "Korean Ghost Stories - 2008 - Oh Goo the Exorcism"
Part 6: "Korean Ghost Stories - 2008 - Gisaeng House Ghost Story"
Part 7: "Korean Ghost Stories - 2008 - Demon's Story"
Part 8: "Korean Ghost Stories - 2008 - Returning Lady"

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