At a time when the TV landscape is flooded with fantasy epics and apocalyptic dramas, one series has quietly climbed the ranks—and it’s now knocking on the door of global pop culture royalty. Kingdom, a South Korean Netflix original, didn’t arrive with the same fanfare as Game of Thrones, but it’s winning over fans for all the right reasons. With its razor-sharp storytelling, political intrigue, and undead menace, Kingdom might just be the show that fantasy lovers didn’t know they were missing.
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Zombies Meet Joseon-Era Politics
Set in 17th-century Korea, Kingdom blends historical drama, supernatural horror, and political suspense into a genre mashup that somehow works beautifully. The story follows Crown Prince Lee Chang (played by Ju Ji-hoon) as he navigates a crumbling kingdom reeling from war and rife with betrayal. Add to that a mysterious plague that reanimates the dead, and you’ve got a story that’s anything but predictable.
What sets Kingdom apart is its setting. You don’t often see zombie outbreaks in hanbok-clad royal courts or rural Joseon villages. It’s this unusual fusion—The Walking Dead meets ancient dynasties—that keeps viewers glued to the screen. And believe me, it’s refreshing to watch a political thriller where a backstab might literally be followed by a bite.
I first stumbled across the show while browsing Netflix late at night, skeptical about the idea of “zombie period drama.” Two episodes in, I was hooked—not just by the action, but by the layered characters and tension that simmers beneath every royal whisper.
Is This the Next Game of Thrones?
It’s a fair question. The comparisons are everywhere, and not just because of the crowns and corpses. Like Game of Thrones, Kingdom is packed with court intrigue, shifting allegiances, and looming disaster. There are power-hungry nobles, betrayals that blindside you, and a kingdom teetering on the edge of collapse—not to mention a horde of the undead shambling straight toward the capital.
But Kingdom does something different: it moves fast. With just two tight seasons and a one-off special episode, the show avoids the bloated storytelling and controversial ending that haunted Thrones. The narrative is lean, the pacing intense, and the emotional payoff hits hard—especially in its final chapter.
The show’s consistency may have something to do with its creative focus: it’s the work of just two writers, who’ve kept a tight grip on tone and plot. This gives Kingdom a cohesiveness that many sprawling fantasy shows struggle to maintain over time.
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Critics (and Viewers) Love It
Don’t just take my word for it—the numbers speak volumes. On Rotten Tomatoes, Kingdom boasts a staggering 98% critic score and a 92% audience rating. French site AlloCiné gives it an equally strong 4.2 out of 5 stars from viewers.
The praise isn’t just about the action or the zombies (though both are top-notch). Critics often highlight the show’s atmosphere, its elegant cinematography, and its careful handling of political themes—especially the way it mirrors modern anxieties about corruption, pandemics, and social unrest.
Plus, the performances are stellar. Ju Ji-hoon brings gravitas to the role of the embattled prince, and Bae Doona adds intensity as a physician caught in the chaos. Together, they anchor a story that might otherwise veer into the unbelievable.
Why It Might Be Your Next Obsession?
If you’re burned out on medieval epics that take eight seasons to resolve a family feud, Kingdom offers a welcome change. It’s fast-paced, smartly written, and visually arresting—an addictive blend of fantasy, horror, and political drama. And with its short run, it’s a binge without the burnout.
While we may never see another cultural juggernaut quite like Game of Thrones, Kingdom shows that greatness doesn’t always come in sprawling, 70-episode packages. Sometimes, it arrives quietly—wrapped in royal robes, wielding a sword, and running from a zombie.