This review may contain spoilers
when i first stumbled across this drama , i thought okay, it's just got to episode 6 ,so i was gonna wait till it's finished then watch but then i found out it is gonna be a multi-seasoned drama in Netflix and i was just so happy because it was way past time for it to happen in k drama world. k drama has talented writers , actors and directors and ... it deserves to be seen with its full potential on display ; yes we make romantic series (which is what a lot of people think when you talk about k drama with them) but we are capable of much more and we've seen it in recent years but i think Kingdom is the first to have more than one season and be presented in Netflix with a theme that compels even the more cynical viewers to give it a shot.1-opening credits: yeah it doesn't necessarily mean that just because we got a good one , we have a great series . but almost every good show got a good one with an enticing even legendary music that we don't forward because of how good they are...Game Of Thrones, West World , The Expanse, friends, etc. and Kingdom has a really mysterious with a few Easter eggs and a haunting music. 8/10 ( I'm really obsessed with opening scenes)
2- actors : Bae Doona 's name is almost enough to make me give a show a try ,add in Ju Ji-hoon and i'm convinced . i really liked their portrayal of their characters( Bea Doona really nailed the meek almost shy but a hard ass portrayal of the nurse)(i loved her in Sense8 but really her acting is soo good , not even for one second I thought of Sun while watching Kingdom).also i was not familiar with the queen and the minister's actors but i hate them enough to know that they have done a good job . 10/10
3- characters : most important thing to me after story is the characters (i like when shows have a lot of main characters) and their development. let's count ; we have crown prince, the nurse,THE cook(!), evil minister, queen , that other creepy/mysterious- who- looks- good -but- probably -is- not minister , the admirer, the bodyguard(1 season is really soon for me to remember the names)+some good supporting ,supporting characters.it has enough characters so far but i think we can use more point of views in different parts of the country and also different levels of society who one by one will join the action , in future.
the characters have have good enough reasons for their actions so far and it's not hard to understand them even if you look down upon their actions (THE cook comes to mind) . also i know what greed is and how it's a driving force especially in historical dramas and how power fells good but since i don't have any purpose in life, i don't have that much greed i don't understand fully how can people like the minister and queen sleep at night; power ! am I right?(i like my villains with a purpose more than just wanting power and wealth ) . I also like how the prince is not the saint that we see in price protagonists in historical dramas that are royal to a stupid extent to their fathers ; he remind me a little of Rhaegar Targaryen , they both knew their fathers are terrible rulers and wanted to make a move to change it ,be it through a coup or not.
another thing that i enjoyed a LOT was how the governor who fancied Bae Doona transfomed from a scared little shit to a little less scared one who didn't immediately run away when he could.
4-story: it has interesting and mysterious story up until now ,. it's a zombie one so it's a thriller . it's a little too soon to judge it over all.
IT WAS A GOODDRAMA THAT I ENJOYED A LOT.(i need at least 2 seasons for a drama to become my favourite)
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Cinematic masterpiece worth binging
In search of answers for his father's illness, the Crown Prince and his guard, Moo Young, set forth to locate the last physician who might be able to treat his father. But the two end up stuck with Assistant Physician Seo Bi and a mysterious man named Young Shin in a village plagued with a terrifying disease - zombies.This drama instantly drew me and each episode kept its' momentum. The twists around the zombies and the characters were unexpected and made me root for our heroes even more. I also like that the show was not only about survival, it has an allegory of human instinct, that people could bond together in time of crisis but can deviate for their own needs. Kingdom is stunning in it’s production quality. Every single scenery shot looks magnificent, with a lot of breathtaking scenery, aerial views, fast-moving and slow-moving camerawork. They used fog, shadow and lighting perfectly. It's a cinematic masterpiece!
If you're wondering whether it’s scary…Although there was blood, violence, head-rolling @.@ …it's not a jump-scare type of horror, more like a thriller. Kingdom 2 is everything I wanted from Kingdom 1, it’s the true climax of one story. So if you're in the mood for an engaging watch, just binge both season altogether!
Find me on Instagram: @kdramajudge
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Story: This is the first historical zombie drama I have watched (Idk if I can classify GoT as one lol) and the whole zombie plot was unique to me. I could give this a 10 out 10 but it still felt lacking in terms of the story of the characters. It will probably be expound on the next season but since I'm only rating for this one, I'll give it a 9.5.
For the politics, it's a scenario I've seen in many historical dramas before but it's surprisingly well-executed here, so i'm not gonna criticize no matter how common of a plot it is. There was parts of the politics that were fairly new to me so it wasn't completely predictable.
Acting/Cast: The acting were great for both the alive and the dead characters lol. There were some humor thrown from here and there and it sometimes come out as awkward so i couldn't really rate it a perfect 10. I guess that's like a signature moment in kdramas but I think it would be better if they just create an entire serious atmosphere throughout.
Music: Not much about the music since it didn't have the famous osts we know but I rated it a 10 for the fact that it sounded like a GoT intro lol
Rewatch value: Would definitely rewatch this again once season 2 is about to come out
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First, I like to warn anyone who might want to pick it up - it's graphic. If you have a weak stomach, move it straight to the "not interested" list. They delivered amazing, beautiful, but gruesome pictures that made me uncomfortable with the content, but also in awe with how beautifully shot they were. No doubt the production value was the best part of the drama. It's clear to me a lot of thought was put into directing and editing, as well as set and costume design. The zombies... ladies and gentlemen... These were some good zombies. I was extremely impressed by the actors portraying them. The movement they presented was true perfection.
The acting was amazing for some, good for others. At times it was hard to judge since some characters (The Queen B) were annoyingly boring and unnecessary. Overall: A+. Especially with such a large "supporting cast" of all the background people and zombies. At times, dramas cast average skilled people for these roles, with hopes no one will notice. Here, everyone did their part well.
As for the plot and characters. There truly is not that much to say. It's the old tale we all know: power struggle and fighting for the crown. There is nothing new nor innovative about it. That said, since it's executed so well, it was not boring. Not to mention the zombie apocalypse going on in the background to keep us invested and excited. I was a bit disappointed with how they slowly toned down the shocking scenes to just go with zombies running and killing, since the creepy scenes from the beginning were some of the most memorable scenes.
There were some characters I loved more (Young Shin and Master Ahn Hyung), and some that seemed pointless and not interesting at all (Jo Bum Pal and the Queen) but knowing it's just a first season, I'm hopeful they will deliver more later.
Was I disappointed in anything? Yes. Last episode presented two plot twists that were simply dumb in my eyes, and the longer I think about them, the less sense I see in what was shown. One of them makes a character look too stupid for the position they hold, and the other, to some extent, contradicts everything that happened before it.
Can you watch it as a stand alone without diving into season two? Technically, yes, but it would not be a smart idea. Season one ends on a cliffhanger and more or less middle part of the whole plot (if not just the introduction).
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This review may contain spoilers
I don’t usually watch zombie films and shows because I feel like every plot is the same and widely overdone, but I gave this show look because I’ve seen many of the actors and actresses from previous kdramas. Man did I make the right choice. The production, cinematography, and storyline of this series is absolutely fantastic. Every episode will keep you at the edge of your seat. You won’t know who’s going to die, or who lives, everything is completely unexpected and that’s what I love. The story is original too. In the first season we got a massive cliffhanger and found out the temperature is what’s keeping these zombie killing machines going. Having to wait another full year for s2, oh boy, we’re thrown for a loop and given once again ANOTHER cliffhanger at the end, discovering someone was actually selling a supply of the same flowers we find out where behind the zombie pandemic. This person, who was teased in being the “possible” seller happens to be one of my favorite Korean actresses and uuu boi was I screaming.
Overall, the pace of this show is amazing, nothing is hard to follow, every character has a part to play in the plot, and the actors and actresses who played them were amazing. Even if your not into zombie related shows or films I’d recommend giving this show watch solemnly on the plot and acting alone. It definitely won’t be waste of your time. Give it a watch.
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It’s a kind of concept. The more slaughter and dead body - the better.
I don’t think that the story is addictive and interesting. It’s rather simple and uninspired. The characters are flat. It’s difficult to bond with anyone here.
But it’s watchable because of Joo Ji Hoon. His performance is brilliant! I like his prince who in the beginning of the story is confused and uncertain, but later, after some battles with zombies, becomes a true lead. The other acting is just okay. Nothing special. Definitely it’s too short (6 ep.) to develop plots and characters.
I don’t like the music. It would seem that especially music would create the dark mood and fear in the zombies world, but no. Not in this case.
If you don’t like a story that stopped and doesn’t run anywhere, do not watch it and wait for the next season.
Maybe the next season will be better, who knows.
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This first season feels like a lot of set-up. That's necessary, of course, but the show still felt somewhat incomplete. There is a real lack of emphasis on the characters, so you're not really invested in them other than the fact that they're living beings on the screen. There's very little conversation or banter that gives you any kind of hint as to their personalities. None of the relationships are really developed either. It was also odd that it felt like a good portion of the action happened off-screen. For example, when the beginning of the outbreak starts, two characters are in a shed arguing. You see blood spill into the shed, but the only thing you really see about what happened that night is the aftermath, with blood everywhere and stakes and sharp bamboo sticks constructed as barriers. This sort of thing happened with a couple of zombie encounters, where the entire situation mostly happened off-screen. I don't mean to say that all zombie attacks have to occur on screen, but it was odd that seemingly big ones weren't really shown.
I was a little confused about how rushed certain plot points were (the politics in the beginning are a bit fast and might be hard to catch onto), while it seemed to also be taking its sweet time in other parts (plenty of long shots of people riding places, walking in the palace, etc.). I will say that the action sequences and zombie parts of the show are really good. There is so much tension surrounding the zombie threat, as our heroes attempt to get people to take it seriously and yet are not listened to. When night falls, they know (and we know too) that they're doomed. The zombies themselves are terrifying. Their clouded eyes, the strange strangled growls they make, the way they move their bodies as they rise from the ground are all so disturbing. Kudos to those actors for giving it 100%. Basically, everything about the zombies is great, both the sequences that involve them as well as people's reactions and plans to handle them, and fortunately that's a good portion of the show, so the show is definitely good, despite the fact that I'm mostly complaining about it in this review.
The aspect of the show that is most developed is the political situation, which to me is the most boring part of many sageuks. It's more interesting here because of the very unique situation that they are reacting to. I hope that with the political situation set up they can not focus as much on it in season 2. As I said, there's so much action and plot-related things happening that the characters are very paper-thin, but I think they show promise and I hope in season 2 they get more time to get fleshed out. I think the twists that happen at the end are good and intriguing, but honestly if I had watched this show when it first came out I don't know how invested I would've been in a second season. I'm glad there's a second season, as now I can see whether they follow up on the good stuff they set up.
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My first dive into Korean zombies
I'm normally not one to watch anything related to zombies, mostly because it's usually the same thing over and over. When I first heard about this drama, it piqued my interest. Mainly because I love K-dramas and historical K-Dramas. No other zombie show or movie I've seen has done this. Usually all western zombie shows and movies are done in the present day, whereas this one is in ancient times technology hasn't advanced, there's less guns, and it makes me wonder what a period zombie show would be like.The characters are interesting. I don't know who to trust or who's good and who isn't. The Crown Prince is someone who I fear for. I always worry he's gonna die if not at the hands of the zombies, then at the hands of the Cho clan. He's trying to do the right thing while keeping himself and the people alive. While I don't agree with certain things he's done, he's still trying to stay alive.
I also like the zombie origin in this: they come back to life from the essence of a plant. It's different from usual zombie origins.
South Korea does not play around with zombies. I've learned that from seeing Kingdom and other Korean films about zombies.
All in all, this is a great show and I can't wait for the next season.
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Unforgettable Zombie Drama Set in the Historical Joseon Era!
"Kingdom" was an absolute thrill ride that took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. From the very start, I was captivated by this Korean drama's fresh take on the zombie genre, set in the historical Joseon era. Following the crown prince's quest to uncover the truth behind a mysterious plague, the series masterfully blended political intrigue, breathtaking cinematography, and exceptional performances. I found myself completely engrossed, on the edge of my seat, as the tension and action intensified with each episode. "Kingdom" not only delivered heart-pounding zombie encounters but also explored themes of power, corruption, and survival amidst a rich historical backdrop. This enthralling journey through an ancient kingdom filled with undead challenges is a must-watch for anyone seeking an engaging and unforgettable story.Was this review helpful to you?
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Turns out zombies and sageuks go well together (Review for both S1 and S2)
“Do a zombie series but set it in 17th-century Joseon” really sounds like a clever conceit at best and that’s what I thought when I started watching KINGDOM, but that’s not what it is at all. It turns out that playing completely straight as an old-school zombie flick while deconstructing - or maybe…dissecting? - a sageuk (Korean historical deama) totally works.If you are not a big fan of sageuks or familiar with the conventions of the genre, this totally works as a zombie flick. As a general rule of zombie flicks, human selfishness, denial, societal dysfunction, and corruption play a role in initiating and spreading the zombie outbreak. Human cooperation, ingenuity, resourcefulness, selflessness, and courage end the outbreak. This is how it works in KINGDOM, too, appropriate to the time, place, and culture. The more things change, the more they remain the same, including how people respond to a zombie outbreak. The only problem is that the drama is a little too fixated on how the zombies “work” well past the point where this is interesting or salient.
If you *are* a fan of sageuks KINGDOM is extra-special. Sageuks are about resolving situations of rampant corruption and political dysfunction: zombies, meanwhile, are metaphors for corruption and dysfunction reaching a crisis point. The best sageuks acknowledge the inherent evil and dysfunction of a society ruled by hereditary monarchs and aristocrats, while the best zombie flicks never let the audience forget that the zombies may be infectious flesh-eating hordes, but humans are the real monsters.
KINGDOM understands the assignment: the first zombie the audience sees, Patient Zero of the outbreak, is the King, put in that state to serve the ambitions of corrupt nobles. The climactic battle in the palace that occurs near the end of so many sageuks? It’s a big fight with zombies that wipes out all the corrupt nobles and their lackeys.
KINGDOM will make you go from “Zombies in a sageuk? Really?” to “Yes, zombies in a sageuk, of course!”
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This review may contain spoilers
I absolutely love zombie related shows, I can never get enough of them. I always say to myself Korea makes the best zombie dramas and movies, for some reason I haven't found one I've disliked so far. It's always hard to find a decent one I like, nothing ever catches my attention but some how the Korean market produces them, they are just top quality.
PLOT/STORY
This gives me 'I am legend' vibes with how the zombie like creatures can't come out in day light, something similar to that. I love the concept of the zombies coming out at a certain time, it's very unique and like I've said, I've only seen this idea once before.
I also love how they jump to different stories throughout the episodes. Like one story we have the crown prince fighting off the zombies and protecting his people and land, while over here we have the Queen is pretending to be pregnant to full everyone into thinking she is. The stories are all over the place but I'm loving how it was put together, it made me very intrigued on what's going to happen next to both parties that are involved.
ACTING/CAST
The casting choice was amazing, I went in blind not knowing who any of these actors or actresses were but wow. You can watch me check out other things they've been in. Everyone is perfect for their roles; and after watching I couldn't see anyone else playing these characters apart from them.
It was so hard to pick a favorite character, they all shined in their own ways. But if I had to pick a character as a favorite it would be the crown prince, not because he is the main character but because he shows loyalty to his people while being prosecuted as this 'traitor'. I just loved this about him, it just shows his true colours.
OVERALL
I'd definitely rewatch, with only 6 episodes (wish there was more) it's an easy and fast drama to watch. I have a short attention span especially watching dramas, but this one never lost my interest. From the first episode all the way to the last episode my full attention was on this drama (which is rare for me). I highly recommend watching for an great experience, you won't be disappointed.
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