Unmasking the Cult of Secrets—Dive Into the Dark Side of Faith with Sabaha
TVING’s horror-summer campaign is heating up, and at the center of its chilling lineup is the return of Sabaha (2019), a critically acclaimed religious mystery thriller directed by Jang Jae-hyun. Known for its eerie storytelling and bold critique of cult practices in modern-day Korea, the film is streaming now on TVING, alongside other dark titles like Shaman: Haunted Exhibition and Black Priests.
Quick Drama Facts
Title: Sabaha (사바하)
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Religious Cult, Crime
Platform: TVING
Director: Jang Jae-hyun
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Park Jung-min, Lee Jae-in, Jin Seon-kyu
Running Time: 122 minutes
Language: Korean
Originally Released: February 2019
Now Streaming: On TVING (2025 summer promotion)
Plot Summary
At the heart of Sabaha lies a gripping and disturbing mystery rooted in South Korea’s hidden world of cults and spiritual manipulation.
Pastor Park Yong-jae (played by Lee Jung-jae) is a cold, rational investigator affiliated with a religious organization that exposes heretical or dangerous sects. His life revolves around dissecting false prophets and cult practices — until he stumbles upon an anonymous tip regarding a new religious group called “Deer Mount”, suspected of concealing dark secrets.
While researching this group, he learns about twin sisters born into a devout household, one of whom died mysteriously, while the other — Geum-hwa — was reportedly born with physical deformities and hidden away from society. The household’s cult-like religious beliefs labeled the child as cursed. But was she really cursed — or was there something much more human, and sinister, behind her isolation?
As Pastor Park digs deeper, a series of teenage girls begin to go missing. One by one, their disappearances are connected to this secretive group. The seemingly unrelated events — the missing girls, the twins, and the cult’s cryptic beliefs — begin to intertwine in horrifying ways.
Park’s investigation leads him to Na-han, a crippled young man who may be more than he seems. Meanwhile, the Deer Mount cult continues to preach about a divine child who will bring salvation. Could this child be one of the twins? Or is the prophecy a smokescreen for something far more dangerous?
As the truth begins to surface, Pastor Park finds himself entangled in a complex web of biblical metaphors, reincarnation theories, secret societies, and a chilling sequence of murders. Each revelation brings him closer to an unsettling conclusion: not every miracle is divine, and not every faith leads to salvation.
The film does not rely on gore or jump scares. Instead, Sabaha unnerves through philosophical dread, slow-burning suspense, and real-world horrors lurking beneath the guise of religion. As Pastor Park confronts the limits of belief and the consequences of blind faith, the line between good and evil becomes increasingly blurred.
Cast and Characters
Lee Jung-jae as Pastor Park Yong-jae – A rational, skeptical figure chasing truth in a world of false prophets.
Park Jung-min as Na-han – A limping young man tied to the mysteries of the twins.
Lee Jae-in as Young-shin / Geum-hwa – The enigmatic twin sisters whose existence ignites the central investigation.
Jin Seon-kyu as Kim Cheol-jin – A key figure in the Deer Mount group, hiding sinister secrets.
Jung Jin-young as Pastor Moon – Leader of another religious sect who becomes crucial in the narrative.
Why You Should Watch Sabaha on TVING
Realistic Religious Horror: Rather than leaning on jump scares, Sabaha explores psychological dread, cult ideologies, and manipulation.
Lee Jung-jae’s Gripping Performance: Long before Squid Game, Lee captivated audiences with his sharp, intellectual portrayal of Pastor Park.
Relevance to Today: With ongoing interest in cults, corruption, and belief systems, Sabaha feels eerily timely.
Perfect for TVING’s Summer Horror Lineup: Alongside titles like Shaman: Haunted Exhibition, Black Priests, and Boom: A Tale, Sabaha fits TVING’s theme of “scary over sweaty” this season.
Final Takeaway
If you’re craving something more cerebral and spine-chilling than your typical summer fare, Sabaha is your go-to mystery thriller. With its rich symbolism, stark atmosphere, and layered narrative, it remains one of Korea’s most unforgettable investigations into belief and deception. Now streaming on TVING, it’s the perfect time to revisit (or discover) this haunting masterpiece.
Image Sources via Instagram TVING Official
Naver Movie Database – Sabaha (사바하)
Korean Film Council – Sabaha Profile
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