Game of Throneshas established itself as one ofthe greatest TV series of all time, thanks to its phenomenal world-building spanning eight seasons (only seven of which are good). Adapted fromA Song of Ice and Fire, it is one ofIMDb’s highest-rated TV showsand is considered an essential viewing experience even to this day, despite its disappointing finale.
If you’ve just finished watchingGame of Thronesand are looking to watch something similar yet distinctive in its own way, we’ve got one of the most exciting recommendations for you.Kingdom, a South Korean drama released in 2019, bears many similarities toGame of Thrones, whether it’s the setting or political intrigue, but offers one big twist. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at whyKingdomis a must-see for the fans ofGame of Thrones.
‘Kingdom’ Is a Korean Thriller/Drama with a Period Setting
Kingdom, which premiered in 2019, is a South Korean zombie series set in the Joseon period that follows Crown Prince Lee Chang, who was deemed a traitor by the pregnant Queen following the King’s unfortunate exposure to smallpox. At the same time, an undead virus that transforms humans into flesh-eating monsters spreads in a nearby village, forcing him to ward off the impending apocalypse.
Kingdom’s Joseon setting is reminiscent ofGame of Thrones, as people are armed with only swords and mini-rifles to defend themselves against the swarms of zombies. Furthermore, the drama also takes its time to construct the story, gradually connecting Lee Chang’s political narrative with the inevitable thriller plotline that keeps viewers intrigued despite the slow start. What’s more impressive is that, unlikeGame of Thrones, which spans eight seasons,Kingdomonly has two seasons with six episodes each, but it still does a fantastic job of introducing key characters that affect the plot in meaningful ways.
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For instance, certain characters such as Seo Bi (Bae Doo Na), Young Shin (Kim Sung Kyu), and Jo Bum Pal (Jun Suk Ho) seem rather unimportant at the beginning of the story. Still, as the season progresses, each of them shines by various means, demonstrating how their character development makes a significant difference in how audiences perceive the world ofKingdom. In this aspect,Kingdomisprofoundly similar toGame of Thrones, where characters like Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright), and Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) become pivotal in driving the main story forward despite being primarily secondary characters during the initial seasons.
The Drama Is Filled with Political Intrigue and Power Struggles
If you thinkKingdomis just another Korean drama about fast zombies and the never-ending issues of the Joseon dynasty, you couldn’t be more wrong. The drama boasts one ofthe best political narrativesin the history of South Korean industry, with multiple characters like Cho Hak Joo (Ryu Seong Ryong), Queen (Kim Hye Joon), and Ahn Hyun (Heo Joon Ho) moving things along, for better or worse.
One might wonder how a two-season series likeKingdomwould fare withGame of Thrones, one of the greatest stories ever told in both literature and television. Still, both shows are incomparable despite their striking parallels in some parts. InGame of Thrones, the fight for the Iron Throne drives the story, which is packed with betrayals, political scheming, and unavoidable conflicts that ultimately determine the fate of Westeros. Similarly, amid the zombie outbreak, numerous political factions vie for control of the royal court, with little regard for collateral damage.
Kingdomrecounts actual Korean history while changing the narrative in ways that make the pandemic becomethe central premise. It specifically refers to the Battle of Sangju, which took place during Japan’s invasion in 1592, although many historical details have been altered in favor of South Korea to give the characters a heroic feel. In other words, whileKingdomportrays politics in a very different way, if you enjoyedGame of Thrones, you will enjoy Kingdom.
A High-Stakes Survival Thriller
First and foremost,Game of Thronesis a survival thriller in which battles and other supernatural phenomena constantly threaten the inhabitants of Westeros. A 300-mile-long ice and stone wall was built specifically to protect the Seven Kingdoms from the White Walkers, undead creatures created by the Children of the Forest to defend themselves against the First Men. In this regard,Kingdomisn’t different, except the stakes are slightly lower compared to the astronomical scale ofGame of Thrones' world-building. However, unlike in the fantasy series, survival in the K-drama is quite difficult since the looming threat of zombies is something they have never encountered before, whereas, inGame of Thrones, the people of Westeros have been fighting against these threats for ages.
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Supernatural TV shows saw a resurgence in the last decade, with a plethora of hit series gracing screens and giving zombies new life.
Action sequences inKingdomare handled quite effectively. Sacrifices are still an essential part of the drama’s overarching story. Furthermore, the origin of the zombie virus is kept a secret until the end and only revealed inthe prequel filmKingdom: Ashin of the North, which is an engaging movie that introduces an exciting character played by Jun Ji Hyun. In a nutshell,Kingdomis the next best binge-watch if you’re looking for something close toGame of Thronesyet so distinctive that it offers a completely different experience.
