Kingdom (2019)

Kingdom is a tense, visually striking historical thriller that blends political intrigue with brutal horror. Set in Joseon-era Korea, the series follows Crown Prince Lee Chang as he returns to investigate rumors that the ailing king has died — only to discover a mysterious, rapidly spreading plague that reanimates the dead. With his loyal guard Moo-young and unlikely allies including the resourceful physician Seo-bi and the enigmatic Young-shin, the prince must expose the truth behind the illness while fighting both the undead and a corrupt court determined to keep power at any cost. Viewers can expect a relentless mix of swordplay, battlefield strategy and body-horror: large-scale action sequences and close-quarters survival scenes alternate with nail‑biting political scheming. The show balances suspenseful, gore-heavy set pieces (zombie attacks, desperate village fights) with quieter, emotionally driven moments as characters confront loss, betrayal and impossible choices. The arrival of winter in later episodes raises the stakes further — the cold changes the plague’s behavior and frees the undead to roam more widely, forcing the prince to rally allies to reclaim the capital before the dynasty is lost. Why watch: Kingdom delivers cinematic production values (period costumes, moody cinematography), strong performances and a fresh twist on the zombie genre by anchoring the horror in historical power struggles. It’s gripping, often gruesome, and driven by moral dilemmas as much as by action. Content warning: graphic violence, gore and intense suspense. Ideal for viewers who like historical drama, political thrillers and horror combined.

Actors: Ju Ji-Hoon, Bae Doona, Kim Sungkyu

Genres: Action, Drama, History

8.3 /10 8.3 /10