We are all advised to stay in our homes during this pandemic, bored and lonely as we all cut off our social interactions with the outside world. Looking at the situation we have right now, isn’t it the best time to binge-watch some drama series to ease our anxiety and loneliness? Well, I suggest you watch the great masterpiece of Korea, 'Kingdom' that can be found on Netflix.
Set during Korea's Joseon period a few years after the Japanese invasions of Korea (1592-1598), the first season depicts the story of Crown Prince Lee Chang, who stumbles across a life-threatening political conspiracy while investigating the spread of a mysterious plague. The powerful Chief State Councilor and Queen Consort barred him from seeing his ill father who is the King of Joseon, Lee Chang takes it upon himself to secretly investigate his father's illness. Shocked by what he would find out, he heads to the Southern province of Gyeongsang with his loyal bodyguard, Mu-Yeong to search for more answers. There he encountered the physician Seo-Bi and the enigmatic Yeong-Shin who are already struggling to deal with a plague that brings the dead back to life as blood-thirsty monsters. Together, they all face a life or death situation to not only stop the spread of the plague but to also save the royal dynasty from being overthrown.
Even though this series was set back during the old times we can still relate to it on so many levels. The first problem in the series that we can relate to is the social status maltreatment, where the government only favors those who are rich and wealthy and disregards the cry of the poor from hunger and poverty. The second problem we can somehow relate to is the spread of a deadly virus. Today, we are suffering from a dangerous virus that is spreading across the globe. It may not turn individuals into bloodthirsty creatures, but it sure is dangerous that it could take thousands of lives. The third problem is hoarding. To conquer primal fears, people hoard stuff to ensure their own needs without thinking about the people around them.
Despite all the problems we can relate to, this series also teaches us some life lessons. It teaches us to think wisely despite the hard time we are experiencing, to be kind to everyone as they are also humans like us who have feelings, and to keep an open mind where we should be open to changes to be able to survive.
Kingdom parallels our reality with our current situation. It is an eye-opener reflection of our reality with the current pandemic situation. I suggest you all watch it, not just for the entertainment value, but for the lessons we can take from it too. It will surely be a roller coaster ride, but I guarantee you, it is worth your time.
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References
Ditch the other zombie shows and watch ‘Kingdom’ on Netflix now. (20, March 6). https://bit.ly/3fFUIpO.
Netflix's kingdom season 3: Everything you need to know. (2020, October 9). Digital Spy. https://bit.ly/37bEOQn.
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