Before You Binge Kingdom: Joseon Zombies, Royal Intrigue and the Hat That Went Viral
What happens when a zombie outbreak hits a royal court in medieval Korea? Netflix’s Kingdom answers that question with the polish of a historical epic and the tension of a survival thriller. When it first came out, it also sparked an unexpected craze: viewers around the world started asking about the traditional hats the characters wore, called gat.
If you are about to start the series, this guide covers what it is, who is in it, what makes it special and the best order to watch. Everything here is spoiler-free.
Kingdom at a glance
| Release | Season 1: January 25, 2019 · Season 2: March 13, 2020 · Special: July 23, 2021 |
| Format | Season 1 (6 episodes), Season 2 (6 episodes), plus the special episode Kingdom: Ashin of the North |
| Writer | Kim Eun-hee (Signal) |
| Directors | Kim Seong-hun (Season 1 and the special), Park In-je (Season 2) |
| Starring | Ju Ji-hoon, Bae Doona, Ryu Seung-ryong, Kim Sung-kyu, Kim Hye-jun, Heo Joon-ho, Park Byung-eun |
| Setting | Joseon-era Korea, three years after the Imjin War |
| Based on | The webtoon The Kingdom of the Gods by Kim Eun-hee and Yang Kyung-il |
| Where to watch | Netflix |
What is Kingdom about? (spoiler-free)
Three years after the devastating Imjin War, the king of Joseon falls ill, and rumors swirl about his condition. Crown Prince Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon) finds himself branded a traitor and hunted by powerful rivals. Together with a physician’s assistant named Seo-bi (Bae Doona), he sets out to uncover the secret behind the king’s illness. What they discover is a land scarred by war and famine, where something monstrous is spreading among the hungry.
With power-hungry factions looking to exploit the crisis, the prince has to fight the monsters and the schemers at the same time. Where that road leads is best discovered on screen.
The lead: Lee Chang (Ju Ji-hoon)
Lee Chang is the crown prince of Joseon, the heir to the throne, though not by the most secure path. He begins the story as a hunted man, but through crisis he grows into a leader determined to protect ordinary people.
Ju Ji-hoon was already a major star when he took the role, having starred in the two Along with the Gods films, both of which passed 10 million admissions in Korea. Kingdom introduced him to Netflix viewers around the world.
Cast and characters
| Actor | Character | Who they are |
|---|---|---|
| Bae Doona | Seo-bi | A physician’s assistant who investigates the king’s illness alongside Lee Chang. This was Bae Doona’s first historical drama |
| Ryu Seung-ryong | Cho Hak-ju | A key figure in the Cho clan, which hungers for royal power |
| Kim Sung-kyu | Yeong-shin | A companion who travels with Lee Chang and Seo-bi |
| Kim Hye-jun | Queen Consort Cho | The young queen, who is pregnant with the king’s child |
| Heo Joon-ho | Ahn Hyeon | A former governor celebrated as a hero of the Imjin War |
| Park Byung-eun | Min Chi-rok | A skilled archer who leads the royal guard (a larger role in Season 2) |
| Jun Ji-hyun | Ashin | The star of the special episode, a figure from Korea’s northern frontier |
Jun Ji-hyun is also famous for My Love from the Star. Check out our guide to K-drama fantasy romance tropes.
Why watch Kingdom?
It was Netflix’s first original Korean series. Kingdom marked the start of Netflix’s push into Korean storytelling, and it set a high bar for the shows that followed.
The mix of genres works. Political thriller, medical mystery and zombie horror come together in a single story. One international outlet described it as a unique genre born from a familiar idea set against a Joseon backdrop.
It is rooted in history. Writer Kim Eun-hee drew inspiration from a record she found in the Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, and she spent years developing the story. Her take on the idea is a story about hunger.
It is a story about society, too. Joseon’s strict class system shapes everything, from who gets food to who gets protected. Many viewers noticed how familiar that inequality feels today.
It looks incredible. The palaces, the hanbok and the weapons were recreated in careful detail. According to Netflix, The New York Times named the show one of the best international series of the year two years in a row.
Korean culture spotted in Kingdom
- The gat: This was a traditional men’s hat in Joseon Korea, and its shape varied by social status and occasion. Fans around the world took notice, and the hats reportedly sold out on Amazon.
- Royal costumes: The king’s guards wear purple cheollik uniforms and blood-red jurip hats, while every costume hints at the character’s rank.
- After the Imjin War: The show is set in the aftermath of a brutal war, which explains the famine and fear at the heart of the story.
- Filming locations: The production reportedly shot at Changgyeong Palace, Changdeok Palace and Hahoe Village, among other places. If you are planning a trip, see our Kingdom filming locations guide.
What order should you watch in?
- Season 1 (6 episodes)
- Season 2 (6 episodes)
- Kingdom: Ashin of the North (special episode)
The special explores the origins of the plague, so it is best to watch it in release order, after Season 2, to avoid spoilers.
More from Ju Ji-hoon
- Movies: the Along with the Gods films, Dark Figure of Crime and The Spy Gone North
- Dramas: Jirisan (also written by Kim Eun-hee), The Light Shop on Disney+ and The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call on Netflix
- See our Ju Ji-hoon page for more.
Will there be a Kingdom Season 3?
As of October 2026, there is no confirmed announcement from Netflix about a third season. Ju Ji-hoon has said the writer is busy with other projects, and Kim Eun-hee has said she has ideas for what comes next. Until there is news, the three existing titles are a complete, satisfying watch.
Where to watch Kingdom
Kingdom is a Netflix original, so Netflix is the only place to watch it. Catalogs can differ by country, so if you cannot find it in your region, search for it on WatchKorean.
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