Zombie Bus (2023)

Stupidly Entertaining

The title of this review should be Stoopidly Entertaining but most of you would probably just think I couldn't spell. For the 1 person that understands <3. I had not a clue what Zombieverse was when I started it. I read nothing about it. I had a tough day and wasn't feeling well. All I wanted was something to vegetate to so naturally, NETFLIX! First thing I saw was Zombieverse. I laughed and cringed...a lot.

Zombieverse is a variety show. If you've watched Korean varieties like Running Man, Infinite Challenge, The Escape, or more recently, The Zone: Survival Mission, etc, you know they make up scenarios for the cast to act out while accomplishing missions. Almost all of them, especially the ones I mentioned, have had zombie episodes. Zombieverse is one of those zombie episodes/stories turned into an 8 episode series. The premise is 4 celebrities escape Seoul as the Zombie Apocalypse hits. They pick up a few other survivors a long the way as they head out of the city with no particular place to go. Is it too long? Depends on what you're looking for. It was a great length for me. It maybe could've cut an episode, but it didn't put a pall on my enjoyment. The production was good. I appreciated the direction and editing. The quality was above your average variety. I loved how it began. I'm still not sure if the cast knew what they had truly signed up for. Their shock as things transpired seemed a little too real. Admittedly, if you're not a Dr. Noh fan, you probably hated the ending. I think it was leaving things open for a season 2. It also let's you know that the zombies may be evolved and perhaps a little wacky.

The cast was great. I love Noh "Dr. Noh" Hong Chul. I missed him when he left Infinite Challenge. His crazed energy and how others react to it is the stuff of legend. I was surprised to see Lee Si Young in a variety for more than 1 or 2 episodes, but she has established herself as a monster queen with her role in Sweet Home. I don't know much about the others. I've seen most of them before as guests in other shows (some like Na Rae more than others), but that's about it. That being said they were great. From time to time they had a hard time staying in character, which is understandable when you have comedians in the cast doing "their thing". Since they were all playing themselves, they had a little leeway in their behavior and reactions. I now understand Dex's popularity. You want Dex on your side in any apocalypse. At one point I yelled out "Now that's a man!" I also never knew Din Din was funny. With a name like Din Din I don't know how I missed it. The zombies for the most part were great. I felt a little sorry for them when they were on a certain amusement park ride, but I couldn't help but laugh.

The music was supportive. I'd say it was good. Re-watch isn't high, my usual, but it's not low either, especially the ending. It was so silly I watched it twice.

Overall, I liked it. As the title suggests it was stupid and entertaining. It was exactly what I look for in Korean variety to tell you the truth. If you like Korean variety of the type of mentioned, I can't see your not liking this.

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Entertaining but a bit too long

6.5 rating might put you off but it's actually entertaining to watch to an extent. Many people are taking this show seriously so let me lay it out for you guys. Warning, might have a few spoilers

Script:
Now zombieverse isn't a drama, it's technically a variety show. However it's more of a mix between a drama and a variety show. There is a basic script that all the celebs have to follow but anything more than that basic script is all their own genuine reactions/decisions. Dex's rope scene is an example of this (even the zombie forgot he was a zombie for a moment). Also people seem to be upset that it has funny bits ......this is a variety show, it needs to be funny to be entertaining. That's the whole reason why there's a bunch of comedians/known entertainers in the cast.

Actors:
A lot of people have a lot to say about the actors and honestly, as a third person watching this in the comfort and safety of my blankets, yeah some were annoying. The only useful ones were Dex, Siyeong, and Dindin. Hongchul was helpful here and there as well. The others were there for reaction sake. And yes Narae was in fact quite useless and annoying, with her injured leg and all. However, keep in mind that they're reactions to the zombies are unscripted so they're genuinely getting freaked out and mind you the zombie actors were so good it would be freaky even for me to see irl. So while we can get annoyed at the useless if most of the actors, it's probably just how they act when in fear. Not everyone can get up and lead like Dex or Siyeong (mind you Dex is an ex- udt/military man and Siyeong is an amateur boxer so they're used to working in high tense situations)

Music:
Yeah idk what music there was?

Rewatch:
Nah I wouldn't rewatch unless I really wanted to rewatch for Dex or for Siyeong. It's like a one time watch honestly

Closing statements:
If you have nothing to watch go for this. It'll keep you entertained. The only thing I kind of disliked was that I felt it was too long. Instead of 8 episodes I think this should have ended in 6. Almost felt draggy at one point. Adding new types of zombies or new evolution of zombies would have been interesting to see. Comedy bits are sprinkled here and there but it's funniest when the actors break characters (couldn't stop laughing at Patricia's reactions to Johnathan). Overall a 6.5/10. Would love to see a second season especially after that cliffhanger

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