(Contains Spoilers)

Netflix’s Kingdom tells an intriguing story of a fight for political power with the addition of grotesque, relentless zombies. This Netflix original show depicts the horror of an unnatural epidemic and magnifies widespread government mismanagement and corruption that is amplified through tense class disparities. 

Set against the backdrop of Korea’s Joseon Period, the story follows the illegitimate son of the King, Crown Prince Lee Chang, and his investigation into a mysterious plague that has begun to threaten the nation. Following the departure of the Japanese on the Korean Peninsula with the conclusion of the Imjin war, the country is left in ruins, where catastrophes such as famine and disease run rampant. Amidst the ruins of the struggling nation, talks of a rebellion start to ferment, sparking a desperate attempt to maintain power by the royals and their advisers. As they cling to power, it is revealed that Cho Hak-ju, the King’s adviser and father to Queen Consort Cho, has turned the King into a flesh-eating zombie as he tries to conceal the news of the King’s passing until his daughter gives birth to the heir. In order to accomplish their plan, the decaying King is chained in his chambers, and others are forbidden to see the monarch. However, the curious Crown Prince discovers the truth about his father, which sparks Lee Chang’s investigation. By the end of the first season, the Prince and his allies are able to uncover the truth about the plague and how it operates as viewers learn that the plague stems from a worm found in a unique plant.

Season two then follows, continuing the story as the Prince aims to stop the rampant zombie horde and find a cure for the mysterious illness while also following Queen Consort Cho’s deadly plan. As season two comes to an end, viewers are left wondering how will the revelation of the plant’s origin and the mysterious appearance of the woman with a boxed zombie unfold, leaving viewers to bite their nails in anticipation of a next season. As we await news of a third season, viewers were given a peek into the future with a special feature-length episode titled Ashin of the North, which focuses on the mysterious woman, Ashin, seen in the final moments of season two. 

Kingdom is a magnificent series that offers a new take on zombie thrillers, with fast-moving zombies and the setting of a historical period, which provides an unusual mix of political corruption and bloody gore fueling the tension found throughout the series. With an astonishing cast, fantastic plot, and breathtaking cinematography Kingdom leaves viewers wanting more.

Suppose you find yourself wanting more of what Korea has to offer in horror, thriller, and apocalyptic worlds. In that case, I recommend watching Train to Busan, another zombie flick, and Sweet Home, a riveting monster riddled series. 

Trailer