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TV Series : Kingdom
Language: Korean
Production Company : Netflix
Season 1 Release date: 25 January, 2019
No. of episodes : 6
All episodes directed by : Kim Seong-hun
Starring : Ju-Ji hoon, Ryu Seung-ryong, Bae Doona, Kim Sang-ho, Kim Sung-kyu
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Plot Synopsis: The king of Joseon falls victim to a mysterious illness and except a few family members, people were barred from seeing the king to examine his condition. His son Lee Chang, the heir to the throne, is suspected of conspiracy of overthrowing the present king. Lee is also eager to get to the bottom of his father's baffling ailment, because he had witnessed the shadow of a hideous monster on forefully visiting his father's chamber. His personal bodyguard Mu-yeong steals the patient's journal and they find out that the royal doctor had left for Dongnae after trying to treat his father. Lee and Mu escape from Joseon because Lee felt that his life was in danger because of the conspiracy hatched against him by the Chief State Counsellor Lord Cho Hak-ju and his daughter, the queen Cho, who wanted her yet-to-be born son to be the new king. Lee was also eager to know more about his father's disease.
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They set out for the hospital in Gyeongsang in which doctor Lee was supposed to be there. Lee and Mu are stunned to find out that the hospital was abandoned apparently after a battle had occured within its premises. They soon encounter the physician Seo-Bi and the enigmatic Yeong-Shin. Seo-Bi reveals to the crown prince that the royal doctor maintained a secret journal in which he mentioned that the king was brought back to life by being fed with a potion made from the "resurrection plant", but the downside was that it turned him to a monster craving for flesh. Together, the four of them try their best to contain the disease. Lee is also forced to deal with the repeated attacks by Lord Cho's army.
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Plot Analysis: The series manages to breathe fresh life in the zombie genre by combining elements of political drama along with action sequences involving zombies. Initially, it might be little hard for viewers to keep track of all the characters and understand the motivations of their actions, but once all the significant characters are introduced, the series becomes more action packed. The medieval setting works in favour of the plot and the action sequences. Instead of witnessing the zombies being blown away by guns, explosives and other modern-day weapons, the characters use swords, knives, their own limbs, fire and whatever else can be used against the zombies, resulting in exceedingly thrilling and thoroughly well-choreographed action sequences. The highlight involves a group of senior citizens riding on a damaged cart being pushed by the Crown Prince and Yeong-Shin while being chased by zombies. However, the action is not at the expense of character development and a logical plot, with all the characters having valid reasons for their actions. Mu-Yeong, who initially seems to care only about food and the luxuries of palace life, transforms to a loyal bodyguard unwilling to leave the Prince alone in the most dangerous of situations even though his wife was pregnant. The Crown Prince Lee Chang also decides to be different from Lord Cho by caring about the safety of the common people without bothering about himself. In fact, he is appalled at the horrible living conditions of the common people while the higher authorities indulge themselves in needless luxuries and wastage of resources. In addition to the trouble of dealing with the zombies, Lee is also forced to protect himself from repeated attacks against him by the royal army from Joseon, resulting in a thrilling plot involving political action as well. The aerial shots mostly involving the characters horse-riding are also well captured. All in all, an excellent series if you are looking out for a dose of kinetic action intermixed with some drama.
Final Rating - 5/5
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