"Kingdom" marks a new concept in the KDrama orbit. In 2019 the cine drama was born. This describes a kind of hybrid production with film studios being involved in drama series and movie directors hired for the production. Cinematic camera therefore has since then become characteristic. "Kingdom" was the first original Netflix KDrama production and is thus repeatedly mentioned as a pioneer in this cine drama genre.

"Kingdom" is an impressive, idiosyncratic mix of colourful historical drama and bloody zombie thriller.

In the broadest sense, the story relates to the so-called Imjin War, the Japanese invasion between 1592 and 1598.

--------------- SIDE NOTE: History meets fiction
The KDrama specifically (but losely) refers to the Battle of Sangju (1592) in the Upo Wetlands. At that time General Yi Il had the problem that he only had a cavalry of 60 soldiers while he was supposed to stop the Japanese on their advance from Busan to Hanseomg. However, his assigned company, which was supposedly equipped and trained first-class, did actually not exist or was not operational. Either the original soldiers were sick, dead, or gone. The local garrisons were also empty because the soldiers stationed there had been recalled to Daegu. What he got were untrained civilians. With the grain he found in a warehouse, he was at least able to recruit some of them. However, he no longer had time to prepare the ca. 900 commoners for the battle, because the Japanese were already there.

The KDrama picks up on this moment in Korean history and rewrites the story in a zombi spirit: In that desperate battle, the former governor of the southern Chungcheong province, Ahn Hyeon, ultimately took command and led around 500 Koreans against an overpowering army of around 30,000 Japanese. The Koreans were victorious thanks to an unknown "resurrection plant" that can be used to resurrect the deceased as bloodthirsty zombies and, with a little skill, can be used as weapons. So (at least in KDrama) the battle in the wetlands could still be won.
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Otherwise, the historical setting provides the hook for an epic journey into bygone times with stately costumes and impressive (authentic South Korean) landscape shots, elaborate details and bloodthirsty butchery. (As adult Netflix production this KDrama is exceptionally brutal). The zombies, with their horde-like appearance and yet very idiosyncratic "fighting style", provide a change from the classic battle formations and martial art sword fights, causing a real challenge for the experienced generals as the opponents are already dead... It requires intelligence, creativity and, above all, high speed. The story itself progresses at this high pace. Neverthelss the emotionally essential scenes have been captured in the proven KDrama style: slowly, intimately and with maximum intensity.

As so often it is just a few powerful, scheming people who make life difficult or even impossible for the many. Yet, not only these political intrigues are the driving force of this thriller. First and foremost it is the question about the epidemic origin and how it might be defeated.

Answers to this question require a second season, even a KMovie and most probably a third season, too. Additionally another film spin-off is being planned. Obviously the story about the "resurrection plant" is far from being told.
... and I am ready to set out again with the noble crown prince to find a solution to save his people and the future of his country in the face of this locust-like zombie plague. Thrilling.