Marlon Wayans, the king of horror-comedy mashups, is bringing a chilling new twist to American television. He’s set to adapt the hit South Korean game show Midnight Horror Story for U.S. audiences, teaming up with producing partner Rick Alvarez and Smart Dog Media—the minds behind The Masked Singer.
Originally airing on MBC Korea, Midnight Horror Story blends ghost stories with game show theatrics. Celebrities take center stage to tell terrifying tales, which are dramatized through immersive, cinematic reenactments. But here’s the twist: a hidden “mystic audience” of spirits—made up of live and virtual viewers—lights a candle each time they’re genuinely spooked. The celebrity who earns the most candles wins the night.
The Korean version has become a digital sensation, especially among younger viewers. Seventy-nine clips have surpassed 1 million views on YouTube, with the most popular nearing 4 million.
Wayans plans to lean into the horror-comedy hybrid that made Scary Movie and A Haunted House cult favorites. The American adaptation will feature well-known actors delivering their own spine-tingling stories, with the same candlelit scoring system and eerie set design that immerses performers in their own nightmares.
“This project fits perfectly in our wheelhouse,” Wayans said, citing his long-standing love for blending scares with laughs.
The show will be produced by:
- Ugly Baby Productions (Wayans & Alvarez)
- Smart Dog Media (Craig and Clara Plestis)
This marks Smart Dog Media’s second collaboration with MBC Korea, following the massive success of The Masked Singer, which was adapted from Korea’s King of Mask Singer.
Casting is still under wraps, but expect a mix of Hollywood talent and genre-savvy performers. With Wayans at the helm, the U.S. version of Midnight Horror Story promises to be a scream—equal parts terrifying and hilarious.
