Kingdom Review: A Gripping Zombie Thriller Korean Drama

If you love historical dramas that have action in them, then watch this zombie thriller.

Are you a zombie fan? If yes, then you need to watch this zombie thriller.

If you are confused about whether to watch the Kingdom drama, then get ready to read this Kingdom review.

The review is spoiler-free.

If you are new to Korean dramas, here is a warning: you will get addicted. Yes! Kdramas are quite addicting & if you start once, you will not be able to stop watching them.

The reasons for Kdrama addiction are – best romance, interesting plot, different culture & a lot of comedy moments. They successfully create an emotional connection with the viewers.

You may have heard that Kdramas are popular for their romance. But wait, there are numerous thriller dramas you will find interesting. And that too a zombie-thriller, an excellent watch.

Kingdom Review

Kingdom is Netflix’s first original Korean series, which premiered on January 25, 2019. The series is adapted from the webcomic series The Kingdom of the Gods, which was authored by Kim Eun Hee and drawn by Yang Kyung Il.

Kingdom review

Kim Eun Hee is the screenwriter of this drama. She is also the one behind the Signal drama (one of the highest-rated thrillers).

Summary –

The crown prince of Joseon is declared a traitor. His investigation not only uncovers a dangerous plague that brings the dead to life, but also a plot to betray the Royal family and usurp him as heir.

Main Characters

Joo Ji Hoon as Lee Chang - Kingdom drama
Joo Ji Hoon as Lee Chang

Joo Ji Hoon plays the role of “Lee Chang” who is the Crown Prince of Joseon and the current heir to the throne. He is declared a traitor for questioning the circumstances surrounding the King’s death.

Ryu Seung Ryong as Jo Hak Jo - Kingdom
Ryu Seung Ryong as Jo Hak Jo

Ryu Seung Ryong plays the role of “Jo Hak Joo” who is the chief state councilor of Joseon and head of the Haewon Cho clan. He is the father of the queen. He is desperate to secure his power over the throne through the queen’s unborn child.

Bae Doo Na as Seo Bi - Kingdom review
Bae Doo Na as Seo Bi

Bae Doo Na plays the role of “Seo Bi” who is a physician’s assistant from & among the first to discover the outbreak of the mysterious plague. She desperately seeks to find a cure & has a journal.

Kim Sung Gyu as Young Shin - kingdom series
Kim Sung Gyu as Young Shin

Kim Sung Gyu plays the role of “Young Shin” who is a mysterious tiger hunter from the South who is also among the first to discover the outbreak of the plague. He helps Lee Chang to fight against the undead.

Why You Should Watch?

Hands down! This is the best zombie-thriller drama or series you will ever come across. It is a must-watch drama for people who love the thriller & horror genre. They will not regret watching this series.

Talking about the story, a crown prince while trying to investigate finds that a plague is spreading in the kingdom which resurrects the dead (call them zombies). He then tries to end the plague with his companions.

There are no words for the cinematography. Not a single moment seems to be fake. All the zombies look real. The way they bite people, their running, all looks real. They are active at night but hide and go dormant during the daytime.

Kingdom zombies cinematography

You get to see the corruption that happens (the drama is political too). Lord Jo Hak Joo is a corrupt official who wants to take over the throne. He plans to make his daughter’s (the queen) baby, the heir. But, the truth is different.

Kingdom drama queen

You get to see the real side of the people when it comes to saving lives. They just think of their own life instead of saving the villagers. The worst one is Jo Bum Pal (a magistrate). You will hate him.

Kingdom people struggle

In season 2, we get to see the plot twist that tells what is in the queen’s mind. Not just this, there are other twists that make this drama awesome. Don’t worry, nothing is going to be revealed here.

You get to see the nature of the crown prince, his love & duty towards the people of the kingdom. He along with his subordinates tries to save several villages from the zombies. His ideas & strategies to tackle them are excellent.

Kingdom crown prince

But still, the drama didn’t end. There may be a season 3 which may be released in 2022. Also, Netflix released “Kingdom: Ashin of the North” that tells the backstory of Ashin, the mysterious heir of the Northern Seongjeoyain tribe village, and the origin of the resurrection plant.

kingdom jun ji hyun

FAQs

Here are some questions answered that you may ask.

Is the Kingdom worth watching?

Totally Yes! This is the best zombie-thriller that will keep you hooked. The cinematography, zombie scenes are excellent.

Where can I watch the Kingdom drama?

You can watch the drama on Netflix. If you don’t have a Netflix subscription, you can still watch it on free streaming sites.

Is Kingdom family-friendly?

Yes, the drama is family-friendly. Though there is a small reference to the penis in a scene. Again, the drama is gory due to the zombies biting people.

How long are the episodes?

All the episodes’ duration is about 36–56 minutes. There is a total of 12 episodes. Season 1 & 2 has 6 episodes each.


9SCORE

THE REVIEW

Kingdom

Kingdom is a gripping zombie thriller & a historical drama that will keep you hooked with its great cinematography & storyline.

PROS

CONS

REVIEW BREAKDOWN

Story/Plot
9
Acting
10
Music/OST
9
Ending
8.1

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Keep watching dramas !!

Hi! I'm Alma Santos from Philippines. I have watched over hundreds of dramas and can speak Korean a little bit. My favorite drama is Crash Landing On You.

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