Kingdom, a South Korean zombie action-thriller that started airing on Netflix in 2019, is a remarkable show that revamped the zombie narrative. The show is set in the Joseon period of Korea, a post-war era characterized by a society with great inequality, famine, and political struggles. It focuses on the mission of the crown prince—Lee Chang (Ju Ji-Hoon)—the illegitimate son of the king, to find out more about the mysterious plague that began to spread in his country, and why it has led the undead to feast on human flesh.
This refreshing zombie TV show has set itself apart from its precursors, basically demanding an audience to witness its unique take on the classic zombie landscape. It is perhaps the first zombie series that took place in a historical Asian setting, showing a blend of rich Asian culture, and blood and terror distinctive of a zombie film. Furthermore, it presented the zombie narrative in a panoramic view, taking into consideration the existing hierarchy, corruption and power politics in feudal Korea as the society faces decay; this is essentially different from most Western zombie films that revolved around a group of people in a modern urban setting, struggling with moral dilemmas as they struggle to survive.
The brilliant cast also contributed to the success of the show. Ju Ji-Hoon gave justification to the character of the merciful and intelligent crown prince. Seung-ryong Ryu is also praiseworthy in his portrayal of Chief State Councilor Cho Hak Joo’s role, the mastermind of evil schemes in the season. Moreover, the visual aesthetics of the series was exceptional due to its incredible cinematography, costumes, action scenes, and production set. Ultimately, if you are up for an engrossing six-episode series that tackles politics and inequality in a zombie apocalypse backdrop, this is definitely a must-watch for you.
Beyond Kpop Drama 