Heo Joon-ho, Jeon Suk-ho
We’ve got quite a few updates for Netflix’s zombie thriller Kingdom, the newest show from Signal writer Kim Eun-hee and directed by film director Kim Sung-hoon (Tunnel, A Hard Day). Filming is scheduled to start in mid-October, and is planning to extend through February, so production is looking to firm up its already impressive cast. Up to join Bae Doo-na (Forest of Secrets), Ryu Seung-ryong (Dorihwaga), and Joo Ji-hoon (Asura, Mask), are Heo Joon-ho (Ruler–Master of the Mask) and Jeon Suk-ho (Strong Woman Do Bong-soon).
Also, it’s been recently reported that production is planning for Kingdom to have a three-season format, which is quite exciting. This is more than enough to make up for the earlier disappointing news that the first season would have a shorter episode count at six episodes, rather than the previously planned eight. I’m normally ambivalent to the idea of multiple seasons, mostly because I’m impatient and hate cliffhangers, but if it means film-level quality and tightly-plotted seasons with plenty of time for producers to perfect their product, I’m all for it.
So far, there have been little details given about the characters the actors are up to play. For now, all we know is that Joo Ji-hoon will play the crown prince who launches an investigation into a mysterious plague that is tearing his country apart. He discovers that this “plague” is actually a zombie infestation, and will simultaneously fight to bring the truth to light and ward off the zombies threatening to destroy Joseon.
Like Ryu Seung-ryong, I can easily see Heo Joon-ho playing either a good guy or a baddie in the show. He’s been excellent at both in past projects, and he brings such gravitas to his roles that I’m sure he would make for a towering figure, whatever camp he’s in. Jeon Suk-ho is similarly adept at believably taking on diverse roles, though he’s been the most memorable so far as the long-suffering secretary in Strong Woman Do Bong-soon. I’m not sure whether comedy will factor into Kingdom at all, but it might be nice to have some lighter moments among all the destruction and the undead.
We might be in the last quarter of 2017, but next year sounds so far away when you’re talking about dramaland! Netflix is planning to release their first original Korean drama Kingdom sometime in 2018.