Kingdomis a horror masterpiece that brings zombies to early 17th-century Korea. Adapted from Kim Eun-hee and Yang Kyung-il’s webtoon,Kingdom of the Gods, the zombie series was the first K-drama to premiere on the streaming platform.Kingdomwas a hit with audiences and critics, and remains popular to this day.The zombie K-dramahas an impressive 98% Tomatometer score and 92% Popcornmeter rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Kingdom’s success helped set the tone forNetflix original K-dramas, two years beforeSquid Gamebecame the streamer’s most-watched TV show of all time. K-dramas are famous for masterfully mixing genres, andKingdomdoes this effortlessly. One might assume it is just a period piece about rulers and wars, yetKingdomis also a terrifying show with lots of scares.
Kingdom Is A Korean Horror Show Set In The Early 17th Century
Kingdom Stars Ju Ji-hoon As Crown Prince Lee Chang
From its opening scene,Kingdomcemented itself as an extraordinary K-drama that had a fresh take on the zombie genre. Set at the beginning of the 17th Century,Kingdomtakes place in Joseon and sees the country infected by a horrible disease that turns people into monsters.
Amid the zombie outbreak inthe horror K-drama,Crown Prince Lee Chang fights for his throne as well as the survival of his people.Kingdomis consistently good throughout its 12 episodes and perfectly blends action, thriller, politics, and horror in a way that doesn’t make it seem overcrowded. Every episode of the horror K-drama adds interesting details to its beautifully written and well-shot story. While the zombie outbreak is the backbone ofKingdom, the series still takes time to develop its characters.
Kingdom Has Both Zombies And Political Intrigue
Kingdom Is About Who Will Sit On Joseon’s Throne, As Well As A Zombie Outbreak
Kingdom’s main appeal is how it has both zombies and politics at the center of its premise. The undead creatures inthe historical K-dramahave an interesting origin story, having come to be because of a resurrection plant. As more people in Joseon get rapidly infected, the stakes in the series get higher as its normal citizens have to fight for survival, thus creating an action-packed and fear-inducing story. Unlike the typical zombies in other shows,the undead creatures inKingdomonly rise when the temperature is low.
Kingdomhas an extra episode that focuses on Ashin.
Coincidentally,the zombie disease is also central inKingdom’s political storyline.The Haewon Cho, a powerful family in Hanyang, used the resurrection plant on the king in order to keep him alive until Joseon’s queen gave birth to a son. So while Lee Chang had to deal with the consequences of Hae Won’s plan,he also had to ensure that he remained the Crown Prince, as those who opposed his ascension to the throne tried to kill him.
Kingdom Shares Some Similarities With Game Of Thrones And The Walking Dead
If you are a fan ofGame of Thrones, thenKingdomwill be right up your alley. Just likeGame of Thrones,Kingdomis filled with power struggles among its elite. The Queen’s scheming and determination to remain as the head of the monarchy are reminiscent of how Cersei would do anything to keep her enemies from sitting on the Iron Throne. Lord Hak-ju’s love of power also fits in perfectly withGame of Thrones' tone.
The zombies inKingdomcan obviously be compared to the wights fromGame of Thrones, although their presence in the story and their numbers are more similar toThe Walking Dead’s walkers. The sense of imminent danger and fight for survival inKingdomis similar to that inThe Walking Dead. Combining political drama with zombie action is not easy, butKingdomdoes it perfectly.
Kingdom
Cast
Based on the webtoonThe Kingdom of the Gods,Kingdom is a 2019 South Korean historical drama-horror series created for Netflix. Lee Chang, the crown prince of a fictional interpretation of 16th-century Korea, is forced to stand in for his ailing father as a plague begins to ravage their homeland, all while fighting off would-be-usurpers to the throne.
Game Of Thrones
Based on George R. R. Martin’s ongoing A Song of Ice and Fire novel series, Game of Thrones is a fantasy drama set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos. It follows noble families like the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryen vying for control of the Iron Throne while a rising threat from the undead looms in the North. The series received significant critical success and amassed a loyal fan base due to its high production values, sprawling sets, iconic characters, and shocking twists.
The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead is a television series that premiered on August 01, 2025. It follows Sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes, who awakens from a coma to find a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. He embarks on a journey to locate his family, encountering various survivors amidst the chaos.
