Netflix’s 10/10 Zombie Masterpiece With 3 Parts Deserves Its Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score

Zombie TV has exploded in popularity over the last twenty years. We’ve seen everything from gritty survival stories to clever, inventive thrillers, all featuring the undead or those infected and turned into flesh-eating monsters. Though many of these shows are fun to watch, most don’t feel truly groundbreaking. Very few, like the series Kingdom, really stand out.

The Korean series Kingdom, which premiered on Netflix in 2019, quickly became a standout original. With two seasons and a special episode, the show made a big impact and remains one of Netflix’s most highly praised horror series even today.

You’ll quickly see why Kingdom has such a high Rotten Tomatoes score (98%) after just a few episodes. This exceptional zombie series expertly combines horror, political maneuvering, and historical storytelling. No matter what brings you to the show—zombies, thrilling suspense, or compelling characters—Kingdom is a truly unmissable experience.

What Is Kingdom About?

A Historical Power Struggle Collides With A Relentless Zombie Outbreak

The historical drama Kingdom is set in Korea’s Joseon dynasty during a time of political turmoil and a strange, spreading illness. When Crown Prince Lee Chang (played by Ju Ji-hoon) is prevented from visiting his sick father, the king, he begins to suspect the powerful Haewon Cho clan is concealing something. He soon discovers these secrets are far more terrifying than just palace politics.

I was completely captivated watching Lee Chang’s investigation unfold – the truth he discovered was genuinely horrifying. It turns out someone used a special plant to bring the dead king back to life, and the result is a terrifying zombie outbreak. But these aren’t the slow, lumbering zombies you see in most shows. These undead are fast, incredibly agile, and absolutely ruthless – they just sweep through villages with frightening speed. It’s truly a terrifying sight!

The prince teams up with Seo-bi, a doctor played by Bae Doona, whose inquisitive mind leads the series to carefully investigate the outbreak. Her scientific approach makes the horror feel realistic and provides a clear explanation for how the infection spreads. This focus on detail makes Kingdom feel well-planned and deliberate, rather than random or confusing.

If you enjoy zombie shows, Kingdom is a standout. It builds intense suspense while still telling a clear story, which is rare in this genre. The action is fast-paced and realistic, and every fight feels like a struggle for survival – you never know who will make it.

The series Kingdom is visually striking. Its beautiful historical costumes stand out against scenes of intense violence, making for truly memorable images. Thanks to Netflix’s high production quality, the show feels like a movie, giving it a grand scale while still maintaining its scary, horror elements.

Kingdom Adds A Unique Twist To The Zombie Genre

Political Ambition And Period Drama Reinvent Familiar Horror Tropes

Kingdom stands out from other zombie stories by setting its outbreak in a richly detailed historical Korea. Instead of the typical modern cities or empty countryside, the action takes place in palaces, mountains, and walled towns. This unique setting breathes new life into a genre that often feels predictable.

The historical setting of Korea’s Joseon dynasty is central to the story of Kingdom. The limited understanding of medicine at the time, strict social classes, and slow methods of communication all make the unfolding horror much more intense. Because it was so difficult to control outbreaks, the tension builds naturally, rather than feeling forced or artificial.

Political intrigue is just as crucial to the story in Kingdom. The spread of the zombie plague isn’t separate from the corruption that allows it to happen. Ruthless officials change the rules of succession, use fear as a tool, and even betray their own people – all to stay in power. The true horror doesn’t just come from the zombies themselves, but from the lengths people will go to for ambition.

The zombies are evolving, and this creates new possibilities for storytelling. Because they’re affected by things like temperature and sunlight, writers can build entire episodes around events like sunrise or cold weather, making the environment a key part of the plot instead of just a setting.

What really sets Kingdom apart from other zombie shows is its action. The sword fights against the undead aren’t just flashy – they feel realistic and dangerous. Characters get exhausted, mess up, and face real consequences for their actions. The violence isn’t there for entertainment; it emphasizes the story’s themes of sacrifice and hardship.

Kingdom stands out as a truly original zombie series by expertly blending political intrigue, historical detail, and horror. It respects the classic elements of the genre while also pushing its boundaries, making it unlike anything else you’ll find.

Korean Television Has Given Us Some Of The Best Zombie Shows

K-Horror Continues To Redefine Modern Zombie TV

While truly one-of-a-kind, Kingdom isn’t the only successful Korean zombie series. Over the last ten years, Korean television has become a leader in creating compelling zombie stories that combine heart with originality. This popularity has changed what audiences worldwide expect from the genre.

Building on the popularity of Kingdom, Netflix released All of Us Are Dead, a new series about a zombie outbreak happening in a high school. Though the tone is different, both shows emphasize compelling characters and offer social commentary. The teen drama setting allows the series to explore themes of fear, selfishness, and how people work together – or don’t – during a crisis.

Then there’s Sweet Home, which really pushes boundaries by replacing typical zombies with terrifying creatures born from people’s deepest desires. While it’s more of an apocalyptic fantasy than a straight-up zombie story, it shows the same inventive spirit. Korean filmmakers and storytellers consistently try new things and break the mold, instead of just sticking to what’s already been done.

These shows all share a focus on genuine emotion. The characters feel real and important, and the relationships are built with care, so when something bad happens, it truly affects you. Korean zombie series are also well-paced – the seasons are short and focused, without a lot of unnecessary content. For example, the two seasons and special episode of Kingdom feel complete and don’t drag on. This is a big difference from many longer American or European shows.

Beyond the compelling stories, these shows are remarkably well-made. The filming, sound, and special effects are often better than what you’d expect from a TV series, creating a cinematic feel while still keeping things personal and suspenseful. Specifically, Kingdom, All of Us Are Dead, and Sweet Home showcase why Korean television is currently at the forefront of zombie storytelling. They focus on strong narratives, meaningful themes, and well-developed characters, proving that even classic monsters can still be genuinely scary, thought-provoking, and impactful.

2025-12-24 23:03