Kingdom: Season 2 (2020)

A Gripping Zombie Epic That Expands Its Legacy in Season 2

"Kingdom" quickly established itself as a groundbreaking Korean drama with its unique fusion of historical intrigue and zombie horror. With the release of Season 2, the series not only maintains its high standards but also expands its narrative, delivering an even more intense and satisfying experience.

Season 1:
Set during Korea’s Joseon period, the story follows Crown Prince Lee Chang as he confronts a mysterious plague turning the dead into ravenous monsters. Amidst political conspiracies, Lee Chang must uncover the origins of the outbreak and fight to save his kingdom from the dual threats of undead hordes and treacherous officials.

Season 2:
The stakes are raised as Crown Prince Lee Chang continues his battle against the plague and the corrupt forces within the palace. Season 2 delves deeper into the origins of the zombie outbreak, revealing shocking secrets and intensifying the fight for survival. The season culminates in a series of breathtaking confrontations, both with the undead and political enemies, leading to a thrilling and satisfying conclusion.

Ju Ji-hoon as Crown Prince Lee Chang : Ju Ji-hoon continues to deliver a stellar performance, portraying Lee Chang’s evolution from a determined prince to a resolute leader. His nuanced portrayal captures the weight of leadership and the desperation of a man fighting against insurmountable odds.

Bae Doona as Seo-bi : Bae Doona’s role as Seo-bi grows even more significant in Season 2. Her character’s unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth behind the plague showcases her intelligence and bravery, making her a crucial ally to the Crown Prince.

Ryu Seung-ryong as Cho Hak-ju : Ryu Seung-ryong’s portrayal of the manipulative and ruthless Minister Cho Hak-ju remains a highlight. His character’s intricate schemes and lust for power drive much of the series’ political tension.

The supporting cast continues to excel, bringing depth and complexity to the narrative. Kim Sung-kyu as Young-shin and Kim Hye-jun as Queen Consort Cho provide standout performances that enrich the storyline. The actors portraying the zombies deserve special mention for their chillingly realistic performances, which add to the series’ overall suspense and horror.

Visual and Sound Design:
"Kingdom" maintains its high production values in Season 2, with breathtaking cinematography that juxtaposes the beauty of Joseon-era Korea with the horror of the zombie plague. The attention to detail in costumes, sets, and props enhances the immersive experience. The sound design and haunting score continue to amplify the tension and atmosphere, making every scene impactful.The series explores complex themes such as power, corruption, and survival, delving into the human condition under extreme circumstances. It examines the lengths people will go to protect their loved ones and their country, and the moral dilemmas faced when confronting both human and undead threats.


"Kingdom" remains a standout series with its compelling blend of historical drama and zombie horror. Both Season 1 and Season 2 deliver exceptional storytelling, strong performances, and high production values. The series excels in building suspense and exploring rich thematic content, making it a must-watch for fans of both genres. "Kingdom" is a testament to the creativity and quality of Korean dramas, leaving a lasting impression with its unforgettable characters and thrilling narrative.

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Alt-History Joseon-Zombie Masterpiece

KINGDOM was brilliant and in my humble opinion, vastly superior to many of the other zombie series out there today. It's certainly one of a kind, a new breed. It was only enhanced by the Joseon historical setting and alternative history presented by the directors. It was excellently written, casted, directed and acted. Great production and cinematography. Beautiful settings, lifelike costumes and realistic storylines. Epic battle scenes and zombie costume/cosmetics. Dark, gritty and cutting edge series.

I really loved the cast, especially Ju Ji Hoon as Crown Prince, and Bae Doona as the nurse Seo Bi. I also really enjoyed the character of Kim Sang Ho, as the bodyguard Moo Young. His character was extremely likable and I loved the dynamic between he and the Crown Prince. Kim Sungkyu, as Young Shin (the Tiger Hunter) was a very compelling character as well, playing a mysterious warrior with a shadowy past.

Ju Ji-hoon is excellent in this series. His portrayal of the tragic Crown Prince character is really note-worthy and he plays the noble hero turned warrior very memorably. It's great to see his character grow and conquer new obstacles, and become a person worthy to inherit the throne.

One of my main critiques is this. As a big fan of actress Bae Doona (Stranger), I did feel like her true potential wasn't being utilized in this series, but that seems mostly seems due to the direction and writing of this series, rather than any issue on her part. I truly hope to see her character allowed grow and shine in future installments as she is a wonderful, diverse actress with a lot of acting range.

This series brought so much to the zombie table, so to speak. I found the "truth" behind the plague to be fascinating and unique. It was a truly intriguing twist. Also, this series does not shy away from highlighting both the good and evils of humanity, offering a glimpse at human nature and morality. It was a truly stunning show. I've now watched the complete Kingdom series and am hoping for further seasons in the future. This was a great new addition to the kdrama thriller and horror genres.

[This review is for seasons 1 & 2]

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Kingdom season 3?

O drama foi muito bom mas odiei esse final, porque o príncipe fez isso? O menino nem era filho da rainha, eu já tinha feito todo o final na minha cabeça, ele iria ser rei casar com a seo bin e o rapaz seria o guarda pessoal dele e me entregam isso? E o pior acabando cheio de enigmas e pra nem vim uma terceira temporada? Estou extremamente irritada.
O pior desse episódio foi ele desistindo de quebrar o gelo com a arma e quebrando com a mão???
Tinha grandes expectativas por ser um drama de zumbi numa época sem internet e sem conseguir buscar informações, apesar dos pesares eu gostei muito. A bae donna foi minha personagem favorita.

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Wish Netflix would renew and bring this back!!!

It has become a ritual for me to watch Kingdom (all seasons and prequel) once every year and every time I am as thrilled as the first time I watched the show. Gripping plotline supported by excellent screenplay, direction and casting. Political intrigue + survival thriller and add class war to the mix! Such a gem among Sageuk shows.
I would say this show made me start liking zombie survival thrillers (I watched Train to Busan after this lol). What I like and dislike about this show and it's spin off (Ashin of North) is that they left room for further plot development but sadly Netflix hasn't renewed it. I sincerely wish there was enough traction out there to renew the show and get closure for both Ashin and Crown Prince's storylines. I am not huge fan of cliffhanger endings that lack renewals and hence deducted 0.5 from rating :p

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Cosa posso dire...Anche questa stagione non mi ha delusa e molti nodi vengono al pettine quindi sarà molto più scorrevole rispetto alla prima stagione.
I protagonisti come sempre sono stati molto bravi così come gli attori secondari.
Si vede che col passare delle puntate il protagonista matura molto e dopo i problemi a palazzo l'attenzione si sposta verso una preoccupazione più grossa:la diffusione della pianta della resurrezione in altre zone.
Nella scena finale troveremo anche la famosa attrice Jun Ji Hyun, protagonista di "You Who Came from the Stars",che credo avrà un ruolo fondamentale con l'arrivo della terza stagione.
Sono sempre stata un'appassionata di serie/film zombie,ma negli ultimi tempi difficilmente riuscivo a trovare qualcosa d'interessante e molto soddisfatta di questa serie sperando che esca presto la prossima.

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