History, Drama, and Horror Coming in the ‘Kingdom’

*Slight Spoilers for Episode 1* Ok, so I’m sure you heard the buzz. Netflix has this wild new Zombie show that’s supposed to engulf the lives of all Game of Thrones and former Walking Dead fans. Well, I gotta say that the streets got it right this time. This show has the makings to be one of those Netflix phenomenons and a show that really shifts the direction of the genre. I don’t think it’ll reach Birdbox levels of memes, gifs, and infamy, but it surely has the makings to be “that dam Korean Zombie show everybody is talking about” this weekend.

Here’s the thing, zombies are the last thing on your mind while Kingdom gains its footing. That’s right. The show is set during the Joseon dynasty’s lengthy 500-year reign in the Korean Kingdom and takes it time building up to the flesh eating creatures. The creators do a superb job of leaning on the political strife of the crown prince, his newish mother (and unborn baby brother), the Queens powerful family, and the king who may or may not be dead, may or may not have come down with Smallpox, and very possibly is a reanimated zombie running around the King’s palace munching on fingers and faces. History buffs, doomsday preppers, and zombie show/movie fans will all come together to enjoy this insanity in the Far East.

It’s an exciting horror show that paces itself wonderfully and sets up the plague zombie outbreak beautifully. All major players receive proper introductions, and characters are given detailed backstories that explain…