Abstract: K438 nickel-based superalloys have the excellent heat-corrosion resistance and high-temperature oxidation resistance, which are widely used in the hot components of aero-engine turbine blades under the working condition of 900 ℃. Compared with the traditional preparation process, the additive manufacturing (AM) technology has become an ideal process for “non-weldable” K438 superalloys due to the advantages of short production process, homogeneous microstructure, and good high-temperature mechanical properties of the components. Laser source additive manufacturing (LSAM) in AM technology is prone to the thermal stress accumulation, showing the high susceptibility to cracking. Based on the vacuum environmental conditions and the powder bed preheating procedures, the selective electron beam melting (SEBM) technology can precisely control the temperature change and significantly reduce the residual thermal stress inside the workpiece, thereby reducing the number of cracks. The research progress of the K438 superalloys prepared by SEBM was reviewed in this paper. The influence of working environment, process parameters, and post-treatment process on the quality of K438 forming parts was introduced. The phase structure evolution of the K438 superalloys as the as-cast state, SEBM formed state, and heat treatment state was described. The development of K438 superalloys by electron beam additive manufacturing was summarized and prospected.