Hideo Kojima Recommends 8-Part Horror Series That’s Dominating Netflix 

Hideo Kojima, best known as a video game designer, is also a huge entertainment buff, as his fans know. His social media pages are full of reviews, and whenever he recommends a piece of media, the internet listens.

This time, he posted a review on Netflix’s first Young Adult Korean horror series, If Wishes Could Kill. The eight-part series has quietly turned into one of Netflix’s most talked-about horror dramas, and receiving the stamp of approval from someone like Kojima only reaffirms its worth. 

Hideo Kojima Praises Netflix’s If Wishes Could Kill

Known for his cinematic approach to gaming with Metal Gear Solid and Death Stranding, Hideo Kojima’s watch list is often considered a barometer for what is truly innovative in the genre. Over the years, he has quietly built a reputation as an entertainment critic and for recognizing narratives that push boundaries.

So when he praises a series like If Wishes Could Kill, it is usually because there is something extraordinary about it.

In a recent X post, his favorite way of letting his followers know which film or series he recently watched, Kojima sang praises of the YA horror show. Exclaiming that he is a big fan of Park Yoon-seo’s Moving, he had to watch his latest Netflix series, If Wishes Could Kill. 

It begins like a laid-back school drama. The cast is great, and the characters are well crafted. The premise—a “cursed app” on a smartphone—is fairly classic, but it’s incredibly entertaining. Completely pulls you in. The lead, Jeon So-young, is also very compelling. It strikes a great balance between humor and horror, as well as friendship and betrayal. A true young adult, coming-of-age school horror. The battles between the mudang and vengeful spirits are tense and gripping. I ended up watching five episodes in one go. Eight episodes total. Definitely something to look forward to more of.

The series, which currently has a 7.2/10 on IMDb (as of April 27, 2026), has also been dominating Netflix charts. According to Flix Patrol, it is currently at No. 3 on the Top TV Shows on Netflix list this week. 

Kojima’s endorsement and the series’ chart performance have caught the attention of fans. Especially those who value storytelling over spectacle, the show’s unsettling and morally complex storytelling would certainly find the show interesting. 

What Makes If Wishes Could Kill Different From Other YA Horror Shows

The Young Adult horror landscape in recent times is often crowded with slasher tropes or romantic supernatural tales. However, unlike the mainstream, If Wishes Could Kill takes a slow, creeping approach that sets the discomfort in with each episode. 

The invention of the shaman-tech fusion further makes it a standout as the Girigi app assumes control. Using the internet as a spiritual highway through which ghosts can travel and curses can spread, it gives the show its own distinct identity.

Unlike jump scares, the psychological consequences play a crucial role in setting the tone. Whether it is as simple as falling out with friends or willingly signing a contract to harm someone else, this elevates the show above the standard high-school teen drama.

Another key difference is how the show handles consequences. Each wish granted through the Girigo app comes with a cost, and the consequences are often emotional, psychological, and irreversible. This creates a sense of dread that lingers across episodes.

NamePlatformWritten byDirected byStarring

If Wishes Could Kill
Netflix
Park Joong-seop
Park Youn-seo
Jeon So-young, Kang Mi-na, Baek Sun-ho, Hyun Woo-seok, Lee Hyo-je
Episode	8 (45 minutes long each)
Rating (as of April 27, 2026)	7.2 / 10 IMDb

All of this combined makes the show a truly entertaining watch. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers, slow-burning horror, and intense character-driven dramas, you would certainly love this one too!

What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

If Wishes Could Kill is available for streaming on Netflix.