"Kingdom" Season 1 Review: The Best Zombie Show You're Probably Not Watcing

South Korea has created some excellent zombie pics in recent years. The best undoubtedly thus far is "Train To Busan". The high school zombie series "All Of Us Are Dead" is also great. And don't forget about "#Alive" or "One Cut Of The Dead". Both are tons of fun.

NetFlix's "Kingdom" was released in 2019. It's based on a webcomic called "Kingdom Of The Gods". This is NetFlix's first original Korea series. "Kingdom" takes place in medieval Korea (some time around teh 16th Century). It's three years after the Imjin War. We are introduced to Lee Chang. He is the Crown Prince of Joseon. He is trying to contact his father the King. But the Queen (his stepmother) won't let him in the palace. Something has happened to the King,, but what? The Queen knows if she gives birth to a son (she's already pregnant), that child could take the throne away from Lee Chang. The Queen's father is Chief State Councillor Lor Cho Hak-ju. He's a real baddie. Hak-ju plans to maintain his family's power by any means necessary.

Since he couldnt see his father, Lee Chang goes in search of his father's doctor Lee Seung-hui. His loyal bodyguard Mu-yeong attempts to protect Chang during the long trip to Gyeongsang. They meet physician's assistant Seo-bi. If she looks familiar Bae Doona also starred in "Sense8". Love her. She's a major bad ass.

The prince later seeks out his mentor Lord Ahn Hyen. The King's (really Queen's) guards are in hot pursuit. Luckily they arent able to capture the Prince since he's protected by Lord Hyen. Chang and company fortify their area as a gigantic group of zombies is about to attack.

There are two big reveals in the finale. Seo-b and the magistrate travel to the Frozen Valley to find the origins of the resurrection plant (that started this whole mess when it was given to the King after he died of smallpox). There she sees a zombie...but it's daylight. They typically only come out at night. Then she realizes... it's the cooler temperatures (and not sunlight) that activates them. Not a good sign for everyone who thinks they are safe during the day. And in the second big reveal -- the Queen s not preggo at all. She's been using a pillow for a baby bump. She has a secret nursery where she will get a male heir to pass off as her own. I feel sorry for any girl babies there. They are summarily murdered (along with their mothers). No one (except some handmaidens) knows the Queen's secret. Meanwhile her daddy vows to kill the crown prince with his bare hands... but we'll have to wait for season 2 to see that.

Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). EXCELLENT! One of the best zombie shows out there. The switch to medieval Korea is an interesting one. There are a number of exciting action sequences. And with just six episodes per season, "Kingdom" is a super fast watch. My only criticism is there there was no epic battle (ala "Game Of Thrones") at the end. Sounds like they maxed out their budget per episode so that wll have to wait till season 2.

There is also a spinoff ("Ashin Of The North") which features a character introduced in season 2. "Ashin" is set before the events of season 2 of "Kingdom".