Occult K-dramas are having a serious moment—and SBS’s upcoming series Awakening is shaping up to be one of the most intense entries yet. Led by Lee Jun-hyuk in his first-ever exorcist role, the drama blends academic pressure, forbidden drugs, and chilling supernatural forces. If you loved dark thrillers with psychological depth, this one belongs on your must-watch list.
Quick Drama Facts
- Title: Awakening
- Genre: Occult, Supernatural Thriller, Psychological Drama
- Network: SBS
- Expected Release: 2027
- Director: Oh Jun Hyuk
- Writer: Jang Yoon MiStarring: Lee Jun-hyuk
- Cast & Characters: Lee Jun-hyuk as Antonio,
Plot Summary: Awakening
Awakening is set in the brutal world of elite academics, where students trapped in “exam hell” seek any edge they can get. When a mysterious stimulant circulates among top students, it doesn’t just enhance focus—it opens a terrifying door.
Those who take the drug begin to hear the voices of the dead, triggering violent outbursts and unexplained supernatural phenomena across the school. As chaos escalates, rumors of possession and dark rituals spread, turning a place of learning into a battleground between the living and the unseen.
Enter Antonio, a Vatican-authorized exorcist priest, tasked with uncovering the truth behind the awakenings. But as he digs deeper, he realizes the evil haunting the students is rooted not only in the supernatural—but also in human desperation, ambition, and guilt.
With its eerie premise and socially relevant themes, Awakening is shaping up to be more than just another horror drama. By tying supernatural terror to academic pressure and youth anxiety, the series promises a chilling yet emotionally grounded story.
Most exciting of all is Lee Jun-hyuk’s transformation into an exorcist priest—a role that could redefine his on-screen image and deliver one of his most compelling performances yet. If SBS leans fully into atmosphere and character depth, Awakening could easily become one of 2027’s most talked-about K-dramas.
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