Traditional Korean zombie series creates worldwide sensation on Netflix

Two weeks after its release, the next season of the Netflix original series “Kingdom” continues to gather more fans around the world, firmly maintaining its place in the list of the top 10 global streaming sites in many countries.

“Kindgom” is about how Crown Prince Lee Chang and his followers attempt to save the Joseon era (1392-1910) kingdom from collapse due to the sudden outbreak of a zombie virus.

The second season continues to follow Lee Chang and his men’s fight against the zombie horde. Meanwhile, Lee Chang’s stepmother, Queen Consort Cho, continues her unflinching plan to conquer the throne by faking her pregnancy.

While the first season was well received by viewers around the world, setting the bar high for the Korean zombie genre, its follow-up was rated as likely to have surpassed the original. On Friday, the show soared in popularity rankings on the Internet Movie Database, reaching ninth place.

Spoiler alert from now on for readers who have yet to watch the second season.

“Kingdom” Season 2 (Netflix)

The balance between the unfolding of the zombie plague story and the ongoing political power play inside the doomed palace is one of the key elements that grips viewers through the six-episode series. Revealing the secret of the resurrection and how blind ruling politicians have intentionally used it to trigger the disease answers many unanswered questions since the first season.

Another element that grabs not only Korean viewers, but a wider audience is the realistic depiction of the historical context. The details of the historical form of the architecture, the different wardrobes according to the deeply rooted social hierarchy and the use of colors to emphasize, are a few elements that polish the period series.

“Kingdom” Season 2 (Netflix)

Actor Ju Ji-hoon shows how a true crown prince must act when his kingdom is in danger in season two. Throughout the series, Ju acts as Prince Chang who never curls up in front of zombies, nor his rivals trying to seize power. His leadership is perfect when he graciously abandons the throne for the better good of the kingdom.

The model-turned-actor, dressed in hanbok and gat – a variety of hats worn by men during the Joseon era – caused a sensation around the world, even generating gat sales on Amazon.

Starring Ju, cast members Bae Doo-na, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Sung-kyu, and Kim Hae-joon from the original cast continue their story in season two.

“Kingdom” Season 2 (Netflix)

As in the initial season, the second also ends with a cliff-hanger hinting at another season. Leading actress Jun Ji-hyun and rising star Ahn Jae-hong appear in the episode, raising expectations for new stories in the next batch of episodes. In previous interviews with local media, writer Kim Eun-hee had claimed that these new actors would play an important role in the upcoming third season.

Kim, through the interviews, said she is already planning stories for the third season.

“I’ve finished mapping the first two episodes of season three. I’m thinking of expanding the universe of the story even further, ”Kim said in an interview with a local newspaper, adding that the details have yet to be worked out.

Although the producers of the series could not have known that the show would air amid the state of the global virus pandemic, the story is almost prophetic. With only six episodes in a season, even for those who haven’t watched the first season, 12 episodes in total isn’t too much to binge on the weekend.

By Choi Ji-won ([email protected])