How a 17th-century zombie plague serves as a brutal critique of political corruption
In short: Set in 1601, the South Korean series Kingdom blends zombie horror with intense political intrigue. Created by Kim Eun-hee, the show uses a supernatural epidemic to mirror the greed and inequality of the Joseon dynasty, suggesting that the true monsters are often the leaders who exploit the suffering of their people.
Kingdom originated from screenwriter Kim Eun-hee's desire to reflect modern anxieties through a historical lens. After struggling to secure investment for a period piece, she initially developed the concept as a webcomic titled The Kingdom of the Gods in 2014. Netflix eventually greenlit the series, which premiered in 2019 as the platform's first original Korean production. The narrative follows Crown Prince Lee Chang as he investigates a mysterious illness afflicting the King, only to discover a plague that reanimates the dead, all while navigating a treacherous conspiracy led by the ruthless Chief State Councilor, Cho Hak-ju.
The series is deeply rooted in political philosophy. Kim Eun-hee argues that the plague is not merely a horror device but a metaphor for the corruption and inequity of the ruling class. The first season focused on the theme of hunger, depicting the plight of those mistreated by power, while the second season shifted toward the obsession with bloodlines and lineage. The creator emphasizes that politics and the living dead are inseparable, with the resurrection plant serving as a catalyst for the consequences of flawed governance and collective resentment.
The production faced significant challenges, including budget constraints that forced the first two seasons to be shortened from eight episodes to six, with each episode costing over $1.78 million. The franchise expanded with the 2021 special episode, Kingdom: Ashin of the North, which explores the origins of the resurrection plant and the concept of Han—a uniquely Korean feeling of collective grief and resentment. By focusing on marginalized characters in the northern provinces, the special episode bridges the gap between the established political power struggles of the first two seasons and the future of the series.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Kingdom (South Korean TV series)
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