Kingdom (South Korean TV series)

Not to be confused with Mnet's television program Kingdom: Legendary War.

Kingdom
Hangul
킹덤
Genre
Created byKim Eun-hee
Based onThe Kingdom of the Gods
by Kim Eun-hee and Yang Kyung-il[1]
Written byKim Eun-hee
Directed by
Starring
Music by
  • Mok Young-jin (season 1)
  • Dalpalan (season 2)
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes12[2] + 1 special (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerLee Sang-baek
ProducerLee Sung-joon
EditorKim Chang-ju
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time36–56 minutes
Production companyAStory[a][2]
Budget₩35 billion[3]
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseJanuary 25, 2019 (2019-01-25) –
July 23, 2021 (2021-07-23)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Kingdom (Korean: 킹덤) is a South Korean period horror television series, created and written by Kim Eun-hee and based on the webtoon series The Kingdom of the Gods (신의나라:버닝헬) by writer Kim Eun-hee and artist Yang Kyung-il.[4][5][6] As Netflix's first original Korean series,[b] it premiered on January 25, 2019.[7][8][9][10] It stars Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doona, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Sang-ho, Kim Sung-kyu, and Kim Hye-jun.[1] The first season, and the first episode of the second were directed by Kim Seong-hun, with Park In-je directing the remainder of that season.

Set at the start of the 17th century, three years after the end of the Imjin War, Kingdom takes place in a fictional, medieval-inspired Joseon (modern-day Korea) and blends political thriller and elements from zombie horror. The story follows Lee Chang, the Crown Prince of Joseon, who attempts to investigate the mysterious illness recently afflicting the King, only to find himself caught in the middle of a deadly epidemic ravaging the kingdom. While trying to save the Kingdom from the plague, he must also stop his political opponents from seizing the throne.

The series was positively reviewed, and renewed for a second season which was released on March 13, 2020.[11][12][13][14] A special feature-length episode of the series, titled "Ashin of the North", was released on July 23, 2021, presenting a focus on the supporting character played by Jun Ji-hyun. The episode acts as a sidequel to the second season of Kingdom and explores the backstory of Ashin, the mysterious character Lee Chang's group encountered on their journey north to discover the origins of the infected.[15][16]

  1. ^ a b Kim, Soo-jung (March 9, 2017). 김은희 작가 신작 '킹덤', 원작만화 '신의 나라'에도 관심. No Cut News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference two was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ "The most expensive K-drama ever? Netflix's The King, Criminal Minds, Kingdom, Mr. Sunshine, Arthdal Chronicles and more Korean series which cost up to US$45 billion". South China Morning Post. September 21, 2020. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2021.
  4. ^ Keeley, Pete (April 17, 2020). "Writer, Director of South Korean Zombie Drama 'Kingdom' on Global Response and Coronavirus Parallels". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  5. ^ "Two of Korea's Top Storytellers Unite for Kingdom - A New Netflix Original Series". Netflix. Archived from the original on August 22, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
  6. ^ Kil, Sonia (March 5, 2016). "Netflix Hires 'Tunnel' Director for Korean Zombie Series 'Kingdom'". Variety. Archived from the original on June 30, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  7. ^ "(LEAD) Netflix's first original Korean drama 'Kingdom' unveiled to media". Yonhap News Agency. January 21, 2019. Archived from the original on August 23, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  8. ^ "Netflix's new Korean original 'Kingdom' brings zombie to Joseon Dynasty". Kpop Herald. January 21, 2019. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  9. ^ "With Netflix, 'Kingdom' looks to be a global hit: Local creators hope the zombie thriller creates more opportunities". Korea JoongAng Daily. January 24, 2019. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  10. ^ "Netflix Unveils Korean Zombie Series". The Chosun Ilbo. January 22, 2019. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  11. ^ "'Kingdom' returns for a second season in March 2020". Rappler. October 25, 2019. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 26, 2019.
  12. ^ "Netflix Korean Zombie series 'Kingdom' grabs attention". The Korea Times. February 1, 2019. Archived from the original on September 1, 2019. Retrieved February 2, 2019.
  13. ^ "Season 2 of Netflix's KINGDOM Begins Shooting in February". Korean Film Biz Zone. January 7, 2019. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  14. ^ Chin, Mallory (February 5, 2020). "Netflix Announces 'Kingdom' Season 2 Release Date". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference KingdomSpecialEpisode was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ "MYSTERIES OF KINGDOM SERIES TO BE UNRAVELLED BY KINGDOM: ASHIN OF THE NORTH, A SPECIAL EPISODE STARRING GIANNA JUN AND PARK BYUNG-EUN". Netflix. November 2, 2020. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.


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