Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021)
Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021) is a dark, emotionally charged prequel to the acclaimed Korean zombie-horror series Kingdom, delving deep into the origins of the resurrection plant and the tragic backstory of one of its most enigmatic characters—Ashin. Directed by Kim Seong-hun and written by Kim Eun-hee, this TV movie blends horror, political intrigue, and revenge into a chilling tale of survival set against the icy backdrop of Korea’s northern frontiers during the Joseon Dynasty.
Jun Ji-hyun delivers a haunting and powerful performance as Ashin, a young girl from a marginalized Jurchen tribe, who lives in the shadow of discrimination and treachery. After her family and village are brutally wiped out under false accusations of treason by Joseon military forces, Ashin’s world collapses. Consumed by grief and vengeance, she discovers the mysterious “Saengsacho” resurrection plant—an ancient herb capable of bringing the dead back to life, but at a monstrous cost.
What follows is Ashin’s transformation from an innocent survivor to a harbinger of doom, as she weaponizes the undead to exact revenge on those who wronged her. With haunting cinematography, a slow-burning narrative, and a heavy emotional core, Kingdom: Ashin of the North enriches the Kingdom universe, revealing the deep pain and motivations behind the horrors that later unfold in the main series.