‘Ashin’ returns to the root of zombie plague in Kingdom series

CEBU, Philippines —  Breaking the pandemic gloom, TV5 kicked off the world’s longest Christmas celebration and the official start of the “Ber” months with a Tree-Lighting Ceremony held at the Network’s home studio in Reliance, Mandaluyong last September 1. Bannering the theme “Atin Ang Paskong Ito, Kapatid,” TV5’s Christmas campaign marks the Network’s commitment to create a meaningful Yuletide season for Filipinos and spread inspiration despite the countless challenges of the past year.

The worldwide phenomenon that is the Kingdom series returned on Netflix with the 92-minute special episode “Kingdom: Ashin of the North” – a backstory of Ashin and the origins of the resurrection plant that triggered the avalanche of tragic events in Joseon.

Combining the fast-paced craze of K-zombie with the serene beauty of Joseon’s royal palace and traditional costumes, the series has been hailed by viewers and critics alike, with both its first two seasons ranking in The Best International Shows TOP 10 of The New York Times and receiving the Rotten Tomatoes rating of “Fresh” with 96 percent.

The weight carried by the production behind the special episode was understandably heavy, knowing that their work was being awaited with bated breath not only by Asian viewers, but by a much wider audience than usual.

“Because we know how many people globally were waiting for the series, more effort was put into meticulous investigation of historical correctness, and each prop, so I would say the pressure had a positive impact on the entire team,” said director Kim Seong-hun during a virtual conference.

“Ashin” takes place before the zombie plague in the first two seasons. Writer Kim Eun-hee shared in notes provided to the press: “I was curious about abandoned outposts in the north and thought about how the resurrection plant could have grown somewhere like that. ‘Ashin’ is the beginning of everything, the root of it all.”

“Early to mid-stages of working on the second season, I was looking into what kind of story to bring to life for the latter part of the season. The resurrection plant has these certain cold properties so I naturally looked into the northern areas of Joseon and that’s when I came across the people who were marginalized at that time and that didn’t belong anywhere. I took an interest in that aspect and throughout that process this character Ashin was crystallized,” the writer further said in the press conference.

Season 1 began with the uncontrollable spread of the infected, who were neither alive nor dead, in the southern end of Dongnae (present-day Busan). In Season 2, the story moved up north to the royal palace in the capital city of Hanyang. Lee Chang’s group journeyed north in pursuit of the origins of the resurrection plant and came face to face with Ashin. In “Ashin”, the upward move to the cold, northern regions continues.

Director Kim Seong-hun described “Ashin” as a new world not featured in Season 1 or 2 where beauty, deep suffering and genre-specific intrigue co-exist.

“When you compare it to similar works in the genre, the series incorporates human history: the hunger, the greed for power, as well as the concept of ‘han’ or anguish or sadness,” the director said. “I think it creates a wonderful harmony leading to a unique chemical reaction which I believe is key to why it was loved by many around the world.”

“Ashin’s tale is complex because it is such an over-arching story with a long timeline,” added writer Kim Eun-hee. “When you look at the chronological aspect of it I felt that rather than incorporate her story into the third season, it would be more audience-friendly and also something that would be conducive to higher quality content if it was a special episode.”

Lead star Gianna Jun (The Legend of the Blue Sea, My Love From the Star, My Sassy Girl, Thieves, The Berlin File), whose appearance at the end of the second season got fans excitedly curious, portrays a much darker character in “Ashin.”

More than the role’s physicality, the rom-com darling spent significant time perfecting Ashin’s complex, yet nuanced emotions.

“In terms of the physique and stamina the character required, I was ready for that. I tried to focus mostly on how to interpret the personal anguish and hurt which we refer to as ‘han’, how to interpret that emotion into wanting to avenge the whole land of Joseon,” the South Korean superstar said.

“Being able to participate at a later time in a series that I love so much, I’d say there was a significant level of pressure for me. My personality is one that does better under pressure so I deliberately tried to feel that positive pressure. I didn’t want to make it look like I was just joining and enjoying the ride that was already propelled by what was already a great show before I came in. In that aspect, I focused on bringing everything I had.”

Gianna complimented the episode’s “immaculate script and amazing direction”, saying this was one work that did not depend on a particular cast member.

“In and of itself, I would refer to it as comprehensive, fascinating art. It’s truly an honor and it brings me great joy to think that something like ‘Kingdom’ was created in Korea and brought to the entire world.”

Aside from Gianna, other talented actors in the episode include Park Byung-eun, Kim Si-a, Kim Roi-ha, and Koo Kyo-hwan.

Of his character, Park Byung Eun noted, “He is a very loyal servant, ready to give his all to the nation. He’s also obviously amazing in all kinds of martial arts as the head of the royal commander in season 2.”

“But in this special episode I tried to focus more on the relationship between him and Ashin, his relationship with the resurrection plant and how all of that ends in an unfolding of this zombie outbreak. Unlike in season 2 where my character did a lot of killing and getting rid of the so-called undead, this special episode doesn’t as much as focus on the action but his relationship to the story and Ashin.”