As Netflix’s first Korean zombie original series, Kingdom is highly anticipated and arguably the most original zombie thriller in the years to come. Fans’ expectations were high even before its release in 2019, and it’s no exaggeration to say it stunned them. With two sensational seasons and a painful special episode titled ‘Kingdom: Ashin of the North’, fans are eager to see more historical zombie action.
Due to the success of Ashin of the North, it’s a given that the series will continue to produce more seasons, despite no a confirmed release date. In anticipation of the official announcement, fans often speculate about the events of their beloved Korean zombie series. In the first two seasons, the crew dealt with many important aspects, including politics, the hunger for power, and the endless hunger of the undead. That’s why something new is desperately needed to impress and meet audience expectations.
With Ashin of the North acting as a bridge between season 2 and the next season, there’s a lot to speculate about. Since one of Netflix’s most anticipated series is up for debate, here’s what we can expect from Season 3.
The Backstory of Cho Hak-ju and the Origin of the Resurrection Plant
Despite not having enough screen time in the previous one two seasons of Kingdom, Cho Hak-ju was a pivotal character on the show. Although the Queen killed him to suppress the affairs of the illegitimate prince and the resurrection plant, he will likely play an influential role in the next season.
The show could show how Cho Hak-ju raised Queen Cho to be such a fierce, vicious woman and dig deeper into mysteries surrounding the resurrection plant that brought the king back as a monster (zombie). While it may not take up an entire episode, they can at least add an emotional twist to the backstory. With more revelations from Resurrection Plant, it may help the Crown Prince get closer to the truth about its origins.
The Prince as an Intelligent Zombie
The second season ended with some major cliffhangers leading to more mysteries. After the Time-Skip, the prince was rescued by Seo-bi (played by Bae Doona) the new king, and the resurrection plant worms are still inside him. Worms may be waiting for the king to mature so that they can take over his body.
He could develop a thirst for blood while retaining his intelligence and potentially posing a threat to the Royal Palace. On the other hand, he may hold the key to finding a cure for the zombie virus. Be that as it may, the young king will play a vital role in Season 3.
Expand the environment to the north and tell the story of resentment
From Kingdom: Ashin of the North, we are convinced that Ashin caused the first plague to carry out a plan to avenge those who killed her entire family. She also supplied the resurrection factory to the doctor who treated the king in the first season, hoping that the Joseon Kingdom would be destroyed because of the betrayal of killing her father.
With the rise of the plant in the north and the crown prince learning about frequent outbreaks, most of the storyline would most likely take place in the north. Furthermore, in addition to Lee Chang (Crown Prince), Young King and Seo-bi, Ashin will play the most crucial role in the upcoming season(s). Kingdom screenwriter Kim Eun Hee dropped some hints while discussing the possibility of a third season in an interview with soompicsaying:
“While I was working on season two, I wanted to portray a much larger universe. Those who have watched will know, but people like Lee Chang, Seo Bi, and Young Shin are all people who chase the plague and wish it never happened. I thought it would be good for season three to tell the story of chasing the Origins of the Plague, so we’re thinking about doing that.”
Since last season alluded to Seo-bi’s deliberate research into the resurrection plant, it would make sense to dig deeper. She also stated:
“Season one told the story of hunger and season two told the story of blood. If Netflix agrees, I want season three to tell the story of resentment. Season two brought attention to the concept of ‘temperature’ and I think that as the story to travel north, the different ecosystem in the north would serve as a hint.”
It explains why the upcoming season will broaden the setting and focus on the northern region rather than traditional politics. Anyway, the main theme of the third season would be resentment towards the likes of Ashin, making it more than just another zombie thriller. With so many characters from different regions for different purposes, the next season will be very enjoyable to watch. While you are waiting with bated breath for this series, you may want to check out these best zombie TV series.