While browsing Netflix, my attention was caught by what I thought was a historical drama. Set in South Korea, ‘Kingdom’ is way more than a period piece – it’s a zombie-infested horror.

Having grown very jaded with ‘The Walking Dead’, I’ve stayed away from anything featuring zombies for a while now. But I was intrigued enough by ‘Kingdom’ to give it a go – at 6 episodes, it wasn’t going to take up too much time. I am so glad I did.

Not at all familiar with South Korean history, this, for me, was a good starting point to delve deeper. Set in the medieval Joseon era, which lasted a whopping 5 centuries (1392-1897), the story follows Crown Prince Lee Chang, played by Ju Ji-hoon, as he inadvertently uncovers a political conspiracy surrounding his father’s illness.

Forbidden to see his father by order of his stepmother, the young queen, Queen Consort Cho, played by Kim Hye-jun, the prince tries to uncover the truth about his father’s actual condition, not what he’s being fobbed off with.

The prince’s constant companion is his personal bodyguard, Mu-yeong, played by Kim Sang-ho. He doesn’t fit the accepted idea of bodyguard being short and slightly tubby. Loyal to the prince, he doesn’t hesitate in defending his charge and proves quite capable with a sword.

The true power in the kingdom is wielded by the Haewon Cho clan, which gives us the main villain, the clan patriarch and Chief State Councillor, Cho Hak-ju, played by Ryu Seung-ryong, who also happens to be the queen’s father. A sinister man, he’s determined to expand his clan’s control and power over the kingdom.

In trying to find out if his father is truly alive or not, Prince Chang stumbles across a zombie-virus infecting the people. The only way he has a chance of stopping it spreading is by working with others.

Having witnessed people she knows turn into monsters, a nurse, Seo-bi, played by Bae Doo-na, is one of those who helps the prince.

Another is a mysterious man, Yeong-shin, played by Kim Sung-kyu. He seems to be a simple soldier, but there’s more to him than meets the eye.

There’s an added complication. Palace guards, led by Cho Hak-ju’s son, Cho Beom-il, played by Jun Suk-won, pursue the prince who’s been accused of treason.

Believing there is one who will support him, Chang leads his little team further south to find Ahn Hyeon, played by Heo Joon-ho, a hero of the war against the Japanese. He’d retired after the war to mourn his mother’s death and remained in mourning for the following three years. He’d been one of the few who’d shown the young prince compassion many years earlier when Chang’s own mother had died.

Another character we’re introduced to is a nephew of Cho Hak-ju – Cho Beom-pal, played by Jeon Seok-ho. His uncle has had him appointed as a magistrate despite the man’s lack of leadership qualities. His ineptness makes for some unintentionally hilarious moments.

The zombies in ‘Kingdom’ are not what I’m used to. They seem to have vampire-like characteristics in that they hide from the sun, as if truly dead, and only ‘wake up’ when the sun sets. And they move very fast.

I think what sets ‘Kingdom’ above most zombie fare is the setting. The lack of technology in the form of instant communication, rapid-fire guns and motorised vehicles adds to the tension. Poor villagers can only move on foot. The few carts, laden with belongings, the old and infirm, although pulled by horses, don’t move very fast either. Watching them trying to flee fast-moving zombies had me on the edge of my seat, clutching a cushion, and I haven’t done that in ages.

There are a lot of characters to keep up with, and a lot of information too, but nothing comes across as ‘info-dump’. It’s amazing how much is covered in a mere 6 episodes, with great character build-up and lots of ‘showing’ instead of just telling.

Each conflict builds up the prince’s character. Each moment leaves him with the choice of pushing ahead or running away and saving himself. The way he handles himself, his growing awareness of what are, essentially, his people fast turned him into my favourite character.

My other favourite is Seo-bi. Her horror at what she sees doesn’t stop her fighting to defend herself and others while continuing her relentless search for a possible cure.

Mu-yeong, the prince’s bodyguard, is another favourite. His character is also well-written with an agreeable mix of humour and solemnity.

The writers have done a superb job with Cho Hak-ju. He’s a chilling villain, one you do not want to underestimate.

As for the queen, his daughter, she’s more than just a puppet. She’s a strong woman who can think for herself. Knowing she’s pregnant with the future legitimate heir to the throne gives her added confidence to navigate her father’s unnerving cruelty.

One thing I realised, this zombie series focusses equally on class struggle and surviving the zombies. The wealthy truly look down on the poor, viewing them as sub-human, and think nothing of sacrificing them so the rich can survive. Royalty and the wealthy seem to have unlimited access to food and all the good things in life while the poor starve, drink filthy water and are reduced to eating tree branches to try and keep the hunger at bay.

While reading about how the series was conceived, I came across this interesting snippet, which suggested that the zombie-virus is more to do with a plague:
‘The premise of the series was inspired by a true 19th century record found of a plague in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty (the kingdom): “In the fall, a mysterious disease began to spread from the west, and in 10 days, tens of thousands of people died in Hanyang [present-day Seoul]”. Considered the world’s longest continual documentation of a single dynasty, the annals are also considered veritable and ‘objective’ as not even the king was allowed to read it.’

Despite the first season spanning only 6 episodes, the camera still found time to linger over the gorgeous scenery and set pieces of the royal household and landscape the prince travelled through. And it didn’t stint on pausing on the wretched poverty either while relishing the violence and gore of the zombies chomping their way through their doomed victims.

This article describes how historical details were used to add to the authentic feel of the show.

It is possible to watch the English-dubbed version of ‘Kingdom’ on Netflix. But I chose to watch it in the original Korean, something I personally prefer to do with any foreign programme. I’d recommend doing that with ‘Kingdom’ as I think it really helps to immerse yourself fully in the series.

A second season is already being made, and I am so looking forward to it. Especially as the first season ends with one doozy of a revelation!

[UPDATE: Season Two Review]

TV/Netflix Review - 'Kingdom' Season 1