Kingdom (South Korea)

Premise:
Set in medieval Korea, “Kingdom” is a fusion of historical drama and zombie horror that centers on a mysterious plague that turns people into flesh-eating undead. Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) is the main protagonist, forced to investigate this malevolent contagion while also trying to clear his name from a political conspiracy. As he journeys through the kingdom, the Prince, along with his personal guard Moo-young (Kim Sang-ho) and physician Seo-bi (Bae Doona), races against time to find a cure and save his people.

Main Central Characters:

1. Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon): The determined yet embattled heir to the throne who seeks to unravel the mystery behind the zombie outbreak.
2. Moo-young (Kim Sang-ho): Loyal bodyguard to the Crown Prince.
3. Seo-bi (Bae Doona): A skilled physician who becomes crucial in the quest for a cure.

Themes:
“Kingdom” delves into the dynamics of power, greed, and the societal divide. It explores how calamities often expose the vulnerabilities of governance and amplify the gaps between the elite and the downtrodden. Amidst the horror of the undead, it also examines human behavior under extreme conditions.

Critical Consensus Rating: 4.5/5
Critics largely praise “Kingdom” for its innovative take on the zombie genre, rich historical backdrop, and complex characters. Some criticisms focus on the occasionally slow pacing and complex political subplots that might deter viewers who are strictly fans of the horror genre.

TV Parental Guidelines Rating: TV-MA
The series has been rated TV-MA due to its mature themes, graphic violence, and gore, making it suitable only for adults.

Broadcast Information:
The series originally premiered on Netflix, with its first season releasing in 2019.

TV Series Recommendations:

1. “The Walking Dead“
2. “Game of Thrones“
3. “Penny Dreadful“
4. “The Witcher“
5. “Z Nation“