Kingdom (2019)

A surprising take on period dramas

Kingdom is a mini series set during the Joseon period with a sudden outbreak of flesh eating arisen dead. The series is slow placed but doesn’t leave you feeling like there’s not much happening. It’s almost emotions driven because you feel the nervousness and fear that the characters feel. in this first season we are given a proper introduction to the zombies and their habits while also getting accustomed to the characters. The series ends on a cliffhanger, I’m glad I watched it only after the second season was out. There are some aspects of the plot that feel slightly weak, but it’s all right. I also liked the cinematography, the focus on the vastness of the palace which isn’t usually this visible in the rest of the period dramas. And also the disparity and suffering between the rich and the poor told visually was stunning.

Overall it’s a good thriller with lots of goriness and killing and some zombie apocalypse setting. Totally bingeworthy!

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No doubt, this is one of the best dramas

The first time I watched this drama, I was really in awe with the plot itself. I always thought of a lot of questions after completing the first season like if it was really the Doctor who discovered the flower, where did the flower come from, what makes the dead into zombies, after putting the flower in the glabella of the deceased. I also think that that the situation portrayed in the beginning of the drama could be very much true in which the Queen and her family, who were so greedy with power would do whatever it took so they can have the kingdom in their hands. It speaks of politics, which apparently, has never changed. The situation of the people really got to me, because even now, despite a country being developed and all, there are still that portion of the population experiencing difficulties.
All in all, watching the drama was such a roller coaster of emotions. You may think you understand everything already but then another thing gets revealed and then you question yourself, if you really paid enough attention to the details of the drama. I also think that the details were very much intricate and well-planned. There are so many things that you could miss if you are not attentive enough, so I don’t recommend dividing your attention while watching this drama. It’s a drama for people who like watching dramas with horror, mystery and suspense, especially those who like watching out for the little details and connecting the dots.

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a kdrama for non-kdrama watchers

i am very new to kdramas and asian dramas in general. my biggest struggle is a lot of dramas i have seen had either slow pacing or episodes that were almost 1 hour and a half ( a whole movie ).

kingdom is a series that took me twenty minutes to like and 1 episode to love. while short in length (40 min episodes and 6 episodes per season), the story telling is not compromised, in fact this has one of the most intriguing and enticing stories I have seen in a long time (not to mention good female characters !!).

some of the shots in this series gave me actual chills combined with the amazing ost. the acting is amazing.

honestly in love with this series already (i have only just finished season 1) and i feel so strongly about this series that this is my first review.

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Zombie like apocalypse plus political drama

Production superb. Story wise, fresh take on the zombie apocalypse theme. Acting's really really good. Even the visuals are gruesome in a good way.

Zombie like apocalypse plus political drama.

The crowned prince fighting for his rights as the rightful ruler and fighting the undead. He's admirable even from the start. He's search for the truth, how brave he was from start to end. His resolve to protect the weak. His loyalty to the nation and his friends. He courage to do what's right, killing his own father, taking in a brother who's not even his blood, and even giving up the crown.

The paranormal component of the show was made as realistic as possible. A plant that could give life to the dead and dying, turns out to be a parasitic issue. So all good..

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Korea just seems to knock-it-out-the-park when it comes to zombies

Kingdom was one of the first kdramas I watched, it popped up on my Netflix suggestions and I was not disappointed!

The season was short, but I think this worked in its favour, any longer and it may have dragged out. The acting was brilliant, even from side characters and the zombies themselves. The show really did well at just showing the absolute panic there would be if an outbreak like this started, and this isn't modern-day but the Joseon period so no semi-automatics to save yourself when a hoard is coming.

The twist and turns really added to the suspense, you really feel like you are piecing the story together with the characters and the twist at the end had me shook!

I would recommend this show to anyone that loves the zombie genre and I would definitely rewatch it.

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Joseon of The Dead

I really liked their gradual introduction to the theme and the zombies but this kind of introduction felt too long and lasted for several episodes without any pieces moving in the story. It was a bit obvious this was done on purpose to delay progress for Season 2. Meanwhile, Season 2 took a step back and tried to develop its characters even though there was no room for that. Although Kingdom as a whole is relatively short but it needed a more precise cut to suit what we've been presented. Maybe cutting it down to 8 episodes in total would be ideal. The slow atmospheric shots with eerie background music were pleasant at first, but they quickly became overused to death and an abrupt change was needed but never happened. The movie Ashin of the North was an unnecessary addition that felt empty, out of place and was missing something to make us care. In traditional Netflix fashion, always make sure to lay the groundwork for endless possible future seasons/iterations at the end of every turn. Despicable greed!

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Zombies in Joseon Dynasty makes this so good

My best bud and I found this show back late 2019 when we were looking for something to watch without knowing a thing about it and with no expectations. As on of my first k-dramas with no expectations, this show blew us away. It is such a good blend of a historical drama while battling the zombie herds making every episode so so good. A Joseon period zombie show is something I never really anticipated, but zombies put into the world of political conspiracies and backstabbing was a golden choice. The story was incredible through and through easily puts it up there as a top zombie show for me. Plus the cinematography was top notch. The pacing was great with each episode ending on a cliffhanger. The writers made a good balance between the intense action and moments of tension with the politics side of the show that keeps ya invested even when zombies aren't on the screen. The cast delivers great performances that could die at any moment given the greed of the people in power and zombies added to that as well.

Definitely watch!!

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Tension Filled - Well Shot - Keeps You On The Edge of Your Seat

Absolutely fantastic! I had seen this last year but forgot to put it on my watched list. I also just realised that Ryu Seung Ryong is in two of my top 10 rated dramas, playing two very tonally different characters. He’s truly a masterful actor.

The camera angles remind me of Pride & Prejudice and Zombies (in the best way). That too was a very well shot film. The long shots and closeups were chosen wisely but like with PP&Z, it’s the mid-shots that are used very well. It makes the viewer feel like the camera is them as the camera moves through the scene. And as this creates a feeling of being right in the thick of the action, it goes a long way to ensuring that the viewer’s heart keeps pumping throughout.

Also, I’d like to highlight how well the story unfolds. This, along with the pacing ensures that it never loses momentum and the dramatic scenes and revelations are timed right.

If you’re a fan of zombie or apocalyptic movies or if you’ve not already seen this before, you need to watch it. It’s highly entertaining and gripping. The tension holds you throughout and the TWIST!!! What a twist! I haven’t finished watching the sequel yet so I’m off to watch that now that I have re-watched this one.

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masterpiece televsion

(i dont rate rewatch value, so neutral 5 stars, though in this case i have no doubts this is endlessly rewatchable)

4K

i seldomn ever (actually.. ever) call something perfect, but this is straight up perfect. when the only flaw is that i wish it wouldn't stop, what else would you call that?

tight and concise as can be, 6 episodes polished to a glow, on real 4k. no time is wasted setting anything up, yet all the info we require, we get. the bulk is done through incredible visual storytelling, adding emphasis to every spoken word all the more. the peak of everything korean media has to offer from film to tv boiled down into a flawless package. bae doona & ju hi-hoon rly in the lead, and my man kim sang-ho carrying the support with sung-kyu. my interest for period piece drama is beyond the scale rn.

i hope this'll open the doors for a new parallel netflix kdrama evolution, with more freedoms to do stuff regular ones cant, like the gore here. maybe even embrace of the season format. truly epic event TV.

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