As Netflix’s first Korean original zombie series, Kingdom is highly anticipated and arguably the most original zombie thriller in years to come. Fans’ expectations were high even before its release in 2019, and it’s no exaggeration to say that it blew their minds. With two sensational seasons and an agonizing special episode titled “Kingdom: Ashin of the North,” fans are eager to see more historical zombie action.
Due to Ashin of the North’s success, it’s a given the series will continue to produce more seasons in spite of not having a confirmed release date. While waiting for the official announcement, fans tend to speculate about the events happening in their beloved Korean zombie series. In the first two seasons, the crew covered many important aspects, including politics, thirst for power, and the endless hunger of the undead. Consequently, Something new is desperately needed to impress and meet the audiences’ expectations.
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With Ashin of the North acting as a bridge between season 2 and the next season, there is much to speculate. As one of Netflix’s most awaited series is in the discussion, here’s what we can expect from season 3.
The Backstory of Cho Hak-ju and Origin of the Resurrection Plant
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Despite not having enough screen time in the previous two seasons of Kingdom, Cho Hak-ju was a crucial character in the show. Though the Queen killed him to suppress the matters of the illegitimate prince and the resurrection plant, he’s likely to play an influential role in the next season.
The show could depict how Cho Hak-ju raised Queen Cho to become such a fierce, vicious woman and delve deeper into mysteries surrounding the resurrection plant that brought back the King as a monster (zombie). While it may not take up an entire episode, they could, at the very least, add an emotional twist to the backstory. With more of Resurrection Plant’s reveals, it might help the Crown Prince get closer to the truth concerning its Origin.
The Prince as an Intelligent Zombie
The second season ended with a couple of major cliffhangers leading to more mysteries. Following the Time-Skip, the prince saved by Seo-bi (played by Bae Doona) became the new king, and the worms of the resurrection plant are still inside him. It’s possible that worms are waiting for the king to mature so that they can take over his body.
He could develop a thirst for blood while still maintaining his intelligence and potentially emerge as a threat to the Royal Palace. On the flip side, he may hold the key to finding a cure for the zombie virus. Be that as it may, the young king will play an essential role in Season 3.
Expanding the Setting Towards North and Telling the Story of Resentment
From Kingdom: Ashin of the North, we’re confident that Ashin caused the initial plague to carry out a plan to avenge those who killed her entire family. She also supplied the Resurrection plant to the physician who treated the King in the first season, hoping that the Joseon Kingdom would get destroyed for the treason of killing her father.
With the plant’s emergence in the North and the crown prince learning about frequent outbreaks, the main part of the storyline would most likely take place in the North. Furthermore, aside from Lee Chang (Crown Prince), Young King, and Seo-bi, Ashin plays the most crucial role in the upcoming season(s). Kim Eun Hee, Kingdom’s screenwriter, dropped some hints while discussing the possibility of a third season in an interview with Soompi, saying:
Since the previous season hinted at Seo-bi’s deliberate research of the resurrection plant, it would make sense to delve deeper. She also stated:
“While 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, wishing it never arose. I’ve thought that having season three tell the story of chasing the Origin of the plague would be good, so we’re thinking of doing that.”
It explains why the upcoming season will broaden the setting and focus on the Northern region rather than traditional politics. Regardless, the third season’s main theme would be resentment of people like Ashin, making it more than just another zombie thriller. With so many characters acting out from different regions for various purposes, the next season will be highly pleasing to watch. While you wait for this series with bated breath, you might want to check out these best zombie TV series.
“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 if the story were to travel north, the different ecosystem in the North would act as a hint.”
