Netflix orders second Korean drama

Streaming network Netflix has ordered a second drama original from South Korea in three months – a history-meets-zombies action thriller.

After launching in the territory in January 2016, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings publicly committed to investing in South Korean originals.

The service went on to order Love Alarm two months ago, and has now commissioned Kingdom (no relation to AT&T Audience Network’s MMA-themed US drama).

The show will run to eight parts, and comes from Korean drama house Astory.

Set in Korea’s medieval Joseon period, it follows a crown prince sent on a suicide mission who realises a zombie outbreak threatens the kingdom.

Film director Kim Seong-hun (Tunnel) and writer Kim Eun-hee (Signal) are attached to the series, which is set to launch in more than 190 territories in 2018. The latter has been working on the series since 2011.

“I wanted to write a story that reflects the fears and anxiety of modern times but explored through the lens of a romantic fascination of the historical Joseon period,” said Kim Eun-hee.

“Kingdom captured our imaginations from the moment we read the script with its visual feast of historical drama blended with supernatural fantasy,” said Erik Barmack, VP of international originals, Netflix.

“We are incredibly honoured by this rare opportunity of pairing two premier creative minds in Korea – film director Kim Seong-hun and television writer Kim Eun-hee.”

Kim Seong-hun said Kingdom offered “the opportunity to work on long-form television at its most ambitious and on a truly cinematic scale because of the unparalleled creative freedom that Netflix as a global internet television network provides”.