Midnight Horror Story 5 Episode 17 Recap: Celebrity Ghosts, Haunted Kitchens, and Eerie Echoes
Welcome to our Midnight Horror Story 5 Episode 17 recap! This Korean horror anthology series continues to deliver bone-chilling tales "based on true stories" (with a hefty disclaimer for entertainment only). In this celebrity-packed installment, fans were treated to spine-tingling narratives from music icon Baek Z Young in her debut appearance, veteran voice actor Jung Hyung Seok, and a submitted story from haunted chef Hwang Jin Seon. Absent co-host Ah Young (filming a movie) left the set feeling eerily empty, but the guests filled the void with ambition—and terror.
SEO tip for horror lovers: If you're searching for real Korean ghost stories, celebrity paranormal experiences, or Midnight Horror Story recaps, this episode's mix of personal hauntings and workplace horrors will keep you up at night. Let's break down the episodes' darkest moments, candle votes, and why this one might just be the scariest yet.
Episode Overview: A Celebrity Midnight Horror Special
Season 5's Episode 17 flips the script with a Celebrity Midnight Horror Story format, featuring submissions from stars across industries. Hosted by the ever-charismatic panel (minus Ah Young), the night kicked off with high energy and higher stakes. Guests aimed for "all candles" (44 viewer votes via app), but only one could claim the win. Key themes? Ghosts that follow you home, haunt your workplace, and even crash your recording sessions.
- Runtime: ~60 minutes of pure dread.
- Viewer Warning: Shocking reenactments—not for the faint-hearted, pregnant, or elderly.
- Top Keyword: "True ghost stories from celebrities" trended on X post-airing.
Story 1: "The Chef Who Sees Ghosts" – Hwang Jin Seon's Culinary Nightmare (22 Candles)
Opening the jar: Host Kim Ho Young. This tale from Netflix's Culinary Class Wars star Chef Hwang Jin Seon (Michelin 1-Star recipient) proves even gourmet kitchens can't escape the supernatural. Since age 10, Hwang has spotted apparitions—bulging walls, animal spirits, you name it. His "three-sightings rule" confirms a haunt, and silver rings (a ghost-repelling talisman) adorn his fingers.
Key Chilling Moments:
Spoiler Alert: Invited to consult a struggling friend's restaurant, Hwang hears phantom crowds—only to find ghosts dangling from ceilings and lurking in cabinets. Back home, a pale, grinning woman crawls from a trash chute, triggering fainting spells, paralysis, and a bloody collapse. An exorcism prayer and his wife's "strong energy" finally banish her. Moral: Sometimes, the best ingredient is love... or salt?
Candle Verdict: 22/44. Realistic and relatable, but some felt it lacked dynamism compared to past eps. Still, a solid scare for foodie horror fans searching haunted restaurant stories.
Story 2: "Anime Recording Booth" – Voice Actor Hauntings at Tooniverse (43 Candles)
Jar-opener: Jung Hyung Seok, the "guaranteed winner" with three prior victories (max 42 candles). This voice actor legend (known for Old Man in the Rain) delivers a meta-horror from the world of dubbing, centered on Tooniverse's infamous Bundang office ghost—a short-haired girl in a red dress.
Key Chilling Moments:
Spoiler Alert: A late-night PD calls a 70+ veteran voice actor for a missing line—only for a shadowy figure to "record" it with eerie drags instead of words. Dawn brings the real actor, baffled. Weeks later, a one-eyed drummer haunts a girls' high rehearsal room (tied to a relocated cemetery), and the girl ghost taps feet, sings anime themes, and vanishes under desks. Baek Z Young chimes in with her own booth wind-trap tale from recording "Dash."
Candle Verdict: 43/44—Jung's personal best! Broke records with its workplace familiarity and twisty buildup. Ideal for searches like voice actor ghost stories or Tooniverse haunted building.
Story 3: "Baek Z Young's Ghost Story" – Omnimbus of Personal Terrors (29 Candles)
Finally, Baek Z Young—K-pop ballad queen and anecdote master—takes the jar. Her debut is an omnibus of real experiences only, no embellishments. From childhood hives to high school haunts, it's raw and riveting.
Key Chilling Moments:
Spoiler Alert: First Tale: A new Hwagok-dong home near Gimpo Airport brings feverish hives and a black hand flicking lights under blankets—18-hour "corpse-like" sleep follows. Dad's cough vanishes post-move. Second: At Ewha Girls' High (alumnae: Song Hye-kyo, Lee Jin), a one-eyed drummer from a 1990 practice room sighting stalks night-studiers 30+ years later, slamming doors from a buried cemetery site. Dreams of endless hair add poetic dread.
Candle Verdict: 29/44. Strong personal touch, but fragmented format split votes. A must-read for Baek Z Young paranormal or girls' high school ghosts Korea queries—her sincerity shines.
Winner & Episode Wrap-Up
Jung Hyung Seok claims victory with 43 candles and a $874.44 prize (Season 5 total). Baek Z Young calls it "fun" and drama-like; all tease more tales next week. Teaser: A deadly "game" prank gone wrong—will it stop?
Why Watch Episode 17? It's peak Midnight Horror Story: celebrity cred, verifiable chills, and that addictive candle-count suspense. Stream on KOCOWA for subtitles. Craving more? Check our Season 5 recaps or search X for #MidnightHorrorStoryEp17 reactions.
Have your own ghost story? Submit to the show—or share in comments! Stay spooky.
Disclaimer: Stories are for entertainment; viewer discretion advised. All recaps based on aired content.