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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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This drama turned out to be really great and worth all the hype. The fast zombies were definitely scary and I have to praise the make-up and costume team for doing such a great job with these. I'm a bit sad that there were only two major female roles in the drama (Seo Bi and the Queen). I know that it's a historical but still I would like to see more women in the drama.
Overall my rating for the first season is 8.5/10.
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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!Was this review helpful to you?
Zombies and politics in Joseon Dynasty makes this show really unique
My best friend and I found this show back late 2019 while we were looking for something to watch without knowing a thing about it and with no expectations. Even with no expectations, I can confidently say that this show blew us away. It is such a good blend of a historical drama while battling an unheard of disease bringing the the dead back to life, making it unique and a nail-biter.A Joseon period zombie show is something I never really anticipated, but Kingdom introduces us to a world of political turmoil, conspiracies, and an unknown plague that brings back the dead as monsters. The incredible storytelling and historical context is was i think sets Kingdom apart easily putting it up there as a top zombie show for me. Plus the cinematography was spectacular.
The pacing of Kingdom was great with each episode ending on a nail-biting cliffhanger that left us anticipating for more with each episode. The writers found a good balance between the intense action and moments of quiet tension with the politics side of the show that keeps ya on the edge of your seats, making it a binge-worthy.
The character development by the end of the 2nd part of the full show, shows how each character's motivations and conflicts are distinct to each character making each one connect with the viewers. The cast delivers great performances, bringing life to characters that could die at any given moment given the greed of the people in power and the uneasiness of the zombies attacking.
This is a show that has a great catch that makes it not just about surviving against the dead but also surviving against the living. This show will take you on a rollercoaster where with each minute of the show you will be amazed. Definitely watch!!
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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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And the production and cinematography were very amazing too, they shot everything beautifully, I definitely cannot wait for it! Everything is superb, Don't miss this Drama ever!!!
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Well, first of all the combination of zombies and Joseon dynasty was definitely worth while. Haven't seen that kind of drama before and also don't know of anything like this. They integrated your usual sageuk theme quite well into the zombie genre.
You can see that they had a high budget on this and it paid off. Of course, there's also the "Netflix"-touch (or let's call it the Western touch) to it. Scenes/editing/cinematography feel different. I mean, really good sageuks have this certain serious aura. This one as well, but it's still different. And yet, it maintains its historical Korean core: the conflict between politicians and the Royal family.
Do you know what's really satisfying in this drama? Whenever you get annoyed by corrupt characters in a sageuk, you'd almost pull out all of your hair, you want to punish them yourself and it takes an eternity until they get what they really deserve. But here you don't get bothered at all because you just know that there's a higher/stronger instance that doesn't care for Joseon politics and that defines a new order. Its pure existance threatens the whole system whether it's noblemen or peasants. And no one can escape.
The cast in this is simply amazing. I wouldn't expect less either. Here are stellar actors and actresses assembled, each of them doing a fantastic job. Maybe it's the editing but it feels like a whole new level... or a different level. It's hard to describe.
The only character I couldn't become comfortable with was the queen. I don't really think that the actress was the right choice for this. She was the weakest part of them all even though the character itself is actually quite important. She never warmed up to me. That's my only complaint about this.
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South Korean shows are becoming good at taking old ideas, putting their own twist on it, and executing it perfectly. Being set in the distant Joseon period, the crew had to make sure everything from the costumes, the sets, to the props, all go together to create a sense of realism. It felt as if we were right inside that world. They were not afraid to make their actors look dirty, tired, and unattractive. Even the extras were done right, down to the zombie makeup and creepy jerky movements. The production value was sky high with hordes of zombies, bloody battle scenes, and even an undead ship. It was on par with Hollywood, and even better at times.
The acting was on point, nothing over-the-top or melodramatic. Ju Ji Hoon gave a very restrained, believable performance as an initially clueless prince who was learning to care about his kingdom and people. Jeon Seok Ho’s cowardly nobleman was not just a comic relief. You get a sense that he was on his way to redeem himself somehow. Heo Joon Ho as Lord Ahn was just cool without even trying. The show slowly built the characters so that you care about them, instead of just killing them off randomly for the shock value.
It was smart of them to leave out the romance. The plot had to enough substance to stand on its own. It didn’t need to be bogged down with a love story or worse yet, a love triangle. But what sets this series apart was how they used the plague to point out the social inequality that existed then, and still exists now. That was more scary than the zombies.
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Kingdom: The Heart-Pumping, Zombie-Infested Korean Epic You Can't Miss"
Oh boy, let me tell you about Kingdom! This show is a masterpiece, plain and simple. The plot is so intense and gripping that you'll be on the edge of your seat from start to finish. And the visuals are absolutely stunning! From the incredible sets to the jaw-dropping action scenes, everything about Kingdom is top-notch.But what really sets this show apart is the way it seamlessly blends history and fantasy. The Joseon Dynasty setting is meticulously recreated, and the attention to detail is incredible. And then you add in the zombies - or "infected", as they're called in the show - and it takes things to a whole new level. The way the characters deal with the outbreak is so well-done, and the tension and suspense just keeps building and building.
Overall, Kingdom is a must-watch for anyone who loves a good action-drama with a bit of horror thrown in. It's got great characters, an engaging story, and some truly unforgettable moments. Trust me, you won't be disappointed
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