Kingdom: Season 2 – Netflix Review

KINGDOM Season 2 is out on Netflix now. You do not want to miss the continuation of this awesome South Korean zombie period piece. Please note, this review will contain spoilers regarding season 1. Read our Kingdom season 2 review here!

Kingdom Season 2 is out on Netflix and we are so ready for it. Here in the age of the Coronavirus, it almost feels like some kind of sick (but perfect) timing that the first Friday the 13th of 2020 is all about Kingdom. Since season 1 ended with a crazy plot twist, this review will contain spoilers regarding season 1.

Recommended reading: Our review of Kingdom Season 1 here >

The Netflix series from South Korea is about the spread of a virus, but not Covid-19. No, we’re dealing with the good ol’ zombie virus. Also, Kingdom is a period piece which adds a whole slew of other issues. Particularly in terms of communication.

You really don’t want to miss out on this truly brilliant South Korean zombie series on Netflix. Continue reading our Kingdom Season 2 review here!

Kingdom season 1 recap

No, I’m not going to do a whole season 1 recap of Kingdom here. However, neither does Netflix before Kingdom season 2 begins, so we will give you a few reminders about where we left off and what we’ve learned so far.

So, if you want to be reminded of how season 1 ended, we’ll get straight into that here. In other words, that means spoilers for season 1 are coming up. *Quick Tip* If you watch the final 5-10 minutes of the last episode in season 1, you’ll also be updated rather quickly.

Just as Season 1 ended, and we thought our heroes (or at least those who were not yet infected) seemed like they stood a chance, something changed. It resulted in one hell of a cliffhanger!

Things learned from season 1 of Kingdom

First of all, we learned that the virus originates from a plant known a the “resurrection plant”. It’s used to make it seem like the king is still alive. This is important in terms of who will inherit the throne after him. To the rest of the population, it now means zombies are on the loose and growing in numbers constantly.

This is once again mentioned via a flashback (three years prior to the current events), so you will be reminded of this fact!

Secondly, and this was the real kicker. Everyone thought that the zombies were only active at night due to darkness. Much like vampires, which was a fun little addition for these zombies. However, this assumption was very wrong. It’s not light and darkness that matters to the zombies. It’s warmth and cold.

So, instead of being safe whenever the sun came up, the healthy people battling the zombies discovered that only warm weather could keep them safe. As season 1 came to a close, they were all in real trouble because (in true Game of Thrones style) “Winter is coming!”.

This was discovered by Seo-bi within the final minutes of season 1. Seo-bi is the character played by the always wonderful Doona Bae (Sense8, The Host, Cloud Atlas). In other words, as season 2 of Kingdom begins, we are moving headfirst into winter… and zombies!

The social realism of the Kingdom series on Netflix

In many ways, Kingdom is about social status and class struggles. Those who are in power will want for nothing, while the poor are starving. In that sense, Kingdom is about social realism in the same way the Academy Award-winning movie Parasite was.

Of course, this is nothing new for South Korean storytelling in general. However, it is new in terms of zombie stories – no matter which country they originate from. And zombies do not care whether you’re rich or poor. They just want to eat your brains – and the rest of you!

Also, the crown prince continues to fight for the people. He wants them to be happy and healthy more than he wants money and power. This is exactly why those in power are struggling to get a new heir lined up!

Another thing that is still very relevant for season 2 is the fact that these zombies are fast. We’re talking Train to Busan and World War Z fast. None of that dragging their feet as we see in The Walking Dead and most other zombie movies and TV series. These zombies are relentless.

This also means that season 2 is off to a crazy start. The battle at the end of season 1 never really got started. With the very first moments of this new season, the battle is everywhere and the odds are looking very bad.

Watch Kingdom season 2 on Netflix now!

Season 2 of Kingdom is just as good as season 1. Especially since we’re past much of the slow-burn of figuring out what’s going on. We know that a zombie-plague is roaming the country. Also, as with any zombie movie or TV series, we know that healthy humans are at least as dangerous as the actual zombies.

Kingdom season 2 has new heartbreaking moments, which was something season 1 also excelled at. Children hiding while watching everyone they know being killed and then turn into zombies was tough to watch. But again, this is part of the social realism that this horror drama excels at.

Do not miss out on season 2 if you enjoyed season 1 of Kingdom. It does not disappoint!

Season 2 of Kingdom is out on Netflix from March 13, 2020.