A look at the oversaturation of the zombie genre through the lens of this latest Korean drama.
Heroic sacrifices, moral dilemmas, and the essence of humanity—these themes are prevalent in Netflix’s latest Korean zombie drama, All of Us Are Dead. At first glance, it seems to be more than just a typical tale of the undead terrorizing the living; it reflects on the pandemic, showcasing humanity’s highs and lows as civilization crumbles. It challenges us to consider whether we might be indistinguishable from zombies if we succumb to our base instincts.
However, this exploration feels all too familiar, as we’ve encountered similar narratives countless times before in titles like Train to Busan, Kingdom, Rampant, and Seoul Station. The concept—a zombie apocalypse set in a high school—isn’t groundbreaking. From the variety of zombies to the predictable tropes, one could easily turn watching the show into a drinking game, taking a shot each time a cliché appears.
The zombie drama genre is oversaturated, and All of Us Are Dead feels like the final straw.
That said, the quality of the production deserves recognition. Had this series debuted a few years ago, it might have received more acclaim. Unfortunately, it arrived amidst a flood of similar stories, making it feel derivative, as viewers are too familiar with the predictable arcs of zombie narratives.
The characters, while generally intelligent, often display a lack of common sense that serves only to escalate the plot’s tension, such as when they devise a reckless escape plan involving sports equipment cages. This raises the question: should we laugh or cry at their antics?
Despite these criticisms, there are moments of brilliance within the show. Yang Dae-su (played by Im Jae-hyuk) offers a humorous tune reminiscent of The Witcher’s “Toss A Coin To Your Witcher,” delighting audiences with a comical take on food and fried chicken.
All of Us Are Dead also manages to deliver some shocking character deaths amidst the chaos, with unexpected survivors and casualties. The show taps into a Lord of the Flies dynamic, laying bare the raw humanity—both innocent and not—of the young students involved.
Nevertheless, it retains its roots as a Korean drama, showcasing teachers who appear no older than the students, introducing melodrama that often feels misplaced during life-or-death situations, and portraying female leads who emerge from battles with zombies seemingly unscathed while male characters suffer visible injuries.
Pacing is another issue; it’s quite remarkable that the narrative stretches across twelve episodes set in a single school. Just how expansive is this school? This again circles back to typical zombie tropes: a series of bad ideas, followed by flawed execution, noble sacrifices, and repetitive cycles of retreat.
The truth is, the Korean zombie drama trend has run its course. All of Us Are Dead finds itself as the unfortunate casualty of this trend, a familiar face in a genre that offers little novelty. Once, we may have felt moved by the trials faced by students (played by young adults) in a zombie apocalypse. Now, it feels like a commercial venture, casting attractive stars in roles of characters a decade younger than themselves.
The industry needs to pivot to new trends—quickly. Or perhaps we should learn to avoid overindulging in popular genres until they become mere shadows of their former selves. I appreciate the creativity of shows like Hellbound and Squid Game, but I dread the day when we see an overabundance of spiritual dramas about judgment or lethal competitions critiquing societal failures.
All of Us Are Dead, you may have been the tipping point. You’ve ushered in the end of zombie dramas. If it weren’t you, then the next Korean zombie project would have delivered the final blow. I wish I had encountered you earlier. Now, all I can do is flee from the endless horde of impending zombie shows.
All of Us Are Dead
Directors: Lee Jae-kyoo and Kim Nam-su
Writer: Chun Sung-il
Cast: Park Ji-hu (Nam On-jo), Yoon Chan-young (Lee Cheong-san), Cho Yi-hyun (Choi Nam-ra), Lomon (Lee Su-hyeok), Yoo In-soo (Yoon Gwi-nam), Lee Yoo-mi (Lee Na-yeon), and Im Jae-hyuk (Yang Dae-su).
Running Time: 12 episodes of 53-72 minutes
Genres: Zombie apocalypse, Horror, Teen drama, Thriller
