This review may contain spoilers
Horror and gore, but genius plot!
KingdomA gore and shockingly scary series where some scenes left me in horror! Could not watch some scenes, but the political and environmental and historical elements did it for me. The shock of the first zombie scenes were exciting to watch, but after a while it was just too much for me. I love the main characters, and them working together. The villains were for real! The actors were amazing. Genius plot, and interesting background of the zombies that makes you want to watch more! I’m am still eagerly waiting for a third season.
I did not remember the music, even though I have rewatched this drama several times. This tells enough of what my mind thinks of the music, it was average. Background music often suspenseful.
Basically, overall the series made me want more! Especially now that a new actress will join the cast hopefully in a third season, from Ashin of the North. I say this is one of the best “zombie”- series I have ever watched, the best part is that the zombies were not the main part of the story, there were many different elements to it. And everything was connected and put together so well. Even the background of all the characters and when and how they would meet and continue the story was perfectly put together, it made sense. It is not a romance focused drama, more about politics, power, the different positions and groups in a society back then, and a zombie virus with an riveting origin and background. Still after two seasons, my curiosity is still not satisfied and I can not wait until further revelations come. I am most excited about what will happen when the actress from Ahsin of the North comes. This drama left me with many speculations and expectations and hopes that need to be fulfilled.
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Great Zombie drama
I watched Kingdom at the beginning of the COVID 19 pandemic, watching a story of a very contagious illness is pretty unnerving at the beginning of a pandemic while things are uncertain.I'm not normally into zombie dramas but I decided to give Kingdom a go because I heard good things. I enjoyed that part of the drama was working out how the zombie plague started as well as the drama of royal succession in ancient Korea. Kingdom is action filled and kept my on the edge of my seat while also having an interesting story line.
The acting seemed really good but unfortunately I watched Kingdom with the actor's voices dubbed, I found this really distracting but now I know next time I can change the settings. I thought the main actor was very handsome too. The ending gave a hint of a new season coming so I'd definitely be watching the new season if it comes out. I don't remember the music.
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Gripping politics amidst the zombie apocalypse
I avoided this drama for years since I don't like gore or scary shows, but I'm so glad I finally gave it a shot. The politics sucked me in right from the start, as did the gorgeous sets and rich atmosphere of the show. You are immediately sucked into the claustrophobic atmosphere at court between gild and etiquette and the horror of the undead.The show isn't subtle at all with its moral message of corrupt, self-serving leaders being the actual plague the country is suffering from, with the zombies only the most visible symptom of the corruption the country is suffering from. As such, most characters are starkly good or evil, and I wish there could have been more characters who left us guessing or weren't so easily defined, as I found these the most engaging characters. In this, it clearly shows there are only six episodes to the season, short even by Netflix standards, which leaves limited room for personal and interpersonal conflicts (season 2 did a better job of balancing this in my opinion.) But all the same, the characters are engaging and I found all of them interesting, even if not surprising.
I didn't find the gore as distracting or jarring as I had assumed I would, it fit in well with the pacing of the story. It was far less interesting to me than the political and social side of it, but that might just be because that's where my interest lies. Kingdom does interesting things with its zombies, though, both with the distinctive spins it puts on their powers and how cultural values shape how people respond to a familiar threat such as zombies.
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Mediocre
Honestly speaking, there wasn't anything special about this drama. I had no attachment to any of the characters, excluding Seobi, who was at least a decent character. There were some times where I felt intrigued as to what was going to happen next. However, it was boring and plain most of the time - you could find me yawning and paying attention to other things but this. Still, there were a lot of things in this drama that I was intrigued by, especially in the last few minutes, so I might consider watching the second season of this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
A Cinematic Masterpiece: Kingdom Redefines the Zombie Apocalypse Genre
A word before my review:- "I'll be honest, zombie apocalypses aren't typically my go-to genre. In fact, I had a traumatic experience watching a non-Korean zombie movie when I was just 11 or 12 years old. I didn't understand the context, but it left me terrified, and I avoided the genre altogether since then. However, thanks to a friend's enthusiastic recommendation, I decided to give Kingdom a chance, and I'm so grateful I did! This series has completely changed my perspective on the zombie apocalypse genre, and I'm now hooked."THE DRAMA - KINGDOM :-
This Korean drama is a Stand-out drama in the thriller genre, setting a new standard for zombie apocalypse stories.
The decision to set the series ( the story point of Zombie) in ancient times was a bold and really challenging move, but the makers pulled it off with finesse. Mainly where the " Sageuk" dramas main elements rule on the classic love-revenge-wars-betrayal, power-struggle for the throne. it's a really tough challenge to the writer - director to create Zombie world in this classic sageuk elements. But their hardwork shines in every scene and every character makes us emotional, survival tense.
and the Netflix 's Korean drama wave started from here.
*THE EXCELLENCE OF KINGDOM'S SOUNDTRACK AND CINEMATOGRAPHY*
"When it comes to the thriller genre, I'm particularly discerning about two crucial aspects: soundtrack and cinematography. Kingdom excels in both areas, elevating the overall tension and suspense to new heights. The soundtrack is masterfully crafted, with the subtle sounds of the zombies and the haunting background score for the main leads perfectly complementing the on-screen action. The cinematography is equally impressive, with a keen attention to detail that immerses the viewer in the dark and foreboding world of ancient Korea. The cinematography in the Kingdom is nothing short of breathtaking, transporting me to a hauntingly beautiful ancient ( sageuk/historical ) Korea time'. The dark tone cinematography is a masterclass in crafting suspense and tension, expertly leveraging lighting, shadows, and composition to create an atmosphere that's both foreboding and mesmerizing and capturing a hauntingly beautiful scenery of Korean old days with bare trees on the mountains, their silhouettes etched against the eerie backdrop like nature's own work of art."
The soundtrack is equally impressive, with a haunting score that perfectly complements the on-screen action, amplifying the emotional impact of every scene and character. The combination of these two elements creates a truly unsettling and thrilling experience that keeps me on the edge of my seat.
ACTING:-
"The acting in Kingdom is truly exceptional, with each actor delivering a standout performance that leaves a lasting impact. Ju Ji Hoon, in particular, brings his character to life with a depth and nuance that is simply awe-inspiring. The entire cast, including Bae Doona, Kim Hye Jun, Ryu Seung Ryong, Heo Jun Ho, and Kim Sung Kyu, delivers fantastic performances that are both convincing and compelling. The cast's extraordinary acting skills are a testament to their dedication and talent, and they play a significant role in making Kingdom the thrilling and unforgettable experience that it is."
OVERALL :-
"I'm a little late to the party, but I'm thrilled to have finally experienced the masterpiece that is Kingdom! The script is nothing short of brilliant, weaving a story that's both captivating and unpredictable. The director-writer's vision is masterful, transporting me to the eerie world of the Kin and plunging me into the midst of a zombie apocalypse like never before. With its flawless pacing, heart-pumping action sequences, and emotional depth, Kingdom has raised the bar for K-dramas and zombie apocalypse stories alike.
My Rating: 10/10
If you haven't yet indulged in the thrill ride that is Kingdom, do yourself a favor and dive in without hesitation! This unforgettable experience will leave you breathless, craving more, and forever changed. Trust me, it's worth the binge!"
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This review may contain spoilers
Is a multi extras blockbuster
The story is predictable, and we seen it any times before. The bit with the Queen being pregnant from. King in very I’ll health for three years was a bonus! 😂 What makes the drama watchable is the cast and the vying - they did really well there!It’s a slow burner, so you need to hang in there.
One element of the directing I didn’t enjoy was the scene stretching - absolutely unnecessary in my opinion, the drama would have hold well as 10 ep. The excess of massive zombie scenes gets really boring after a while - I missed the build up really. I think it would have been better if they kept these under control.
One special shout for the main character cast. They are so captivating and relatable, that makes following the story inevitable.
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This review may contain spoilers
The Best Plot Twist!
Introduction:Kingdom Season One is a gripping thriller set in the Joseon era, offering a unique twist on the zombie apocalypse theme within a historical context. The show's period setting adds a distinctive flavor to the familiar genre.
Plot and Suspense:
The suspense throughout the series is truly commendable. The plot keeps viewers on the edge of their seats with its unpredictability. Initially, the assumption that zombies only attack at night is cleverly subverted, revealing a shocking twist related to temperature.
Character Dynamics:
The main characters, whether protagonists or antagonists, are portrayed with excellence. It's hard to dislike even the antagonists, thanks to their intelligence and the well-crafted strategies of the main characters. The character dynamics contribute significantly to the show's overall appeal.
Acting Quality:
The acting in Kingdom Season One is top-notch, with no shortcomings. The cast delivers stellar performances, bringing depth and authenticity to their respective roles. The characters truly come to life on screen.
Series Opening:
The opening of the series sets the stage effectively, creating an engaging atmosphere from the start. It captivates the audience's attention and establishes the tone for the thrilling narrative that follows.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Kingdom Season One is a must-watch for fans of both period dramas and zombie thrillers. With its unique setting, unpredictable plot, outstanding character portrayals, and impressive acting, the series stands out as a compelling and memorable addition to the genre.
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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 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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Amazing
FYI: this review contains S1&2First of all let me say that netflix deserved their TENS for releasing this. Like this was the start of the high budget kdramas. Everything about this was wonderful. It's only 6 episodes long and so doesn't overstay its welcome in the slightest. It has some of the best visuals I've seen in a kdrama. The story is original and of course I'm going to be excited about a high budget zombie kdrama on netflix??? The actors all did what needed to be done. The pacing is a bit on the slower side and there's a little too much talking going on. I would've liked to see a bit more action. Other than that I don't really have any complaints.
S2 was even better than the first in almost every aspect. It's bigger and more action-packed but somehow the emotional beats hit harder than S1!
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About Next Season Realising
I want to watching Kingdom next season please realise the next Kingdom season immediately🙄🙄🙄😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥😥Was this review helpful to you?
Great series.
Really loved this zombie/historical piece. The story overall is great, both here and in season 2 and the movie, that follows after. I still hope the third season will come. The actors were all amazing and I grew to love most of the characters. Strong performances. I think Korea is perhaps the very best at making zombie movies or series, as I never got hooked on another zombie story from other countries. Definitely very worth watching, and I recommend it to anyone who looks for quality drama and doesn't mind some blood.Was this review helpful to you?
kingdom eh um sentimento oiiii ??
eh realmente algo odiar todo e qualquer filme/serie que é sobre zumbis ou mundos apocalípticos e mesmo assim assistir kingdom e considerar ele seu dorama favorito 🤓☝🏻talvez eu seja muito emocionada e talvez eu considere o mínimo já como muito, mas kingdom é perfeito em todos os aspectos. primeiro que, a história/enredo é muito bem feita e muito bem seguida ao longo dos episódios, nunca deixando nada passar e continuando com a perfeição de sempre. e junto a história, é impossível também não citar a atuação dos personagens que, literalmente, deram vida para tudo, e mesmo o cgi marcando presença em todos os momentos, é quase imperceptível pela atuação e pela história. algo que me marcou durante todo o dorama, foi a atuação dos zumbis, que mesmo não sabendo quem são deram a vida para tornar tudo cada vez mais acreditável. kingdom é perfeito em cada detalhe e eu assistiria ele para todo sempre, sem me enjoar. espero de verdade que tenha uma terceira temporada para fechar todas as duvidas que tenho 😭😭
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