Kingdom K-Drama Explained: The Political Intrigue Behind the Zombies
📌 Table of Contents
👑 What Is 'Kingdom'?
'Kingdom' is a groundbreaking Korean series blending historical drama with zombie horror. Released by Netflix in 2019, it received global acclaim for its suspense, cinematography, and most importantly, its depiction of corrupt political systems during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty.
📍 Historical Setting: Late Joseon Dynasty
The drama is set in the early 17th century, during the decline of the Joseon Dynasty. This was a time of severe political strife, frequent famines, peasant uprisings, and aristocratic greed. While the story is fictional, the setting reflects real historical instability, where ruling elites clung to power through deception and violence.
Diseases were rampant, medical access was limited, and mistrust of government was high. All of these elements made it a fertile ground for the kind of uprising and horror depicted in the show.
🧠 The Royal Conspiracy Explained
The zombie plague in 'Kingdom' begins with a desperate act: the Haewon Cho clan revives the king using a resurrection plant—not to save him, but to keep his death secret until their political control is secure.
Crown Prince Lee Chang is denied access to his father, and rumors spread of his illegitimacy. The Queen Consort Cho is secretly pregnant and aims to place her child (possibly not of royal blood) on the throne.
- The king is technically dead—yet animated as a zombie
- The Queen’s father, Cho Hak-ju, manipulates the royal court
- The Crown Prince is framed as a traitor, forced into exile
This web of deception and power hoarding shows how political ambition literally leads to a plague that threatens to consume the entire kingdom.
🐍 The Rise of the Haewon Cho Clan
The Haewon Cho clan is a fictional aristocratic family in the series, but they represent the real-life sadaebu (scholar-bureaucrat class) who often gained power through marriage and corruption.
They exploit the monarchy for their own gain:
- They block access to the king's health records
- Control military forces to suppress public disorder
- Suppress the plague’s truth to maintain elite status
This hoarding of power and resources mirrors how noble families historically prioritized lineage over justice or reform.
⚖️ Political Symbolism in 'Kingdom'
'Kingdom' isn't just a horror show — it's a political allegory. The zombie virus symbolizes:
- Ignorance & Cover-ups: The elite ignoring widespread disease
- Oppression: The poor literally becoming monsters due to hunger
- Corrupt Hierarchy: Royals feeding on the bodies of the people
In many ways, the show critiques how unchecked authority can create a literal and metaphorical apocalypse.
📸 Visual Highlights
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the political background in 'Kingdom' historically accurate?
A: While the story is fictional, the power struggles, class divides, and corruption reflect real dynamics of late Joseon-era Korea.
Q: Who is Cho Hak-ju based on?
A: He is a fictional character, but inspired by corrupt noble families and royal advisors who abused power during the Joseon period.
Q: What is the plant that causes the zombie plague?
A: It's a fictional “resurrection plant,” but symbolically represents the dangerous pursuit of unnatural power and control.
