Jun Ji‑Hyun Goes Rogue With Zombies—And Gets Down‑Right With It!
When Kingdom hit Netflix in January 2019, the brain‑boggling zombies stole the show—so much so that the star‑powered cast of Ju Ji‑hoon and Bae Doona felt a little eclipsed.
But even the Korean film‑heavy hotline superstar, Jun Ji‑Hyun (aka Gianna Jun), got a howl of excitement from the undead lineup.
“These Zombies Are… Terrifyingly Real!”
During a recent Asia‑Pacific round‑table, Ji‑Hyun laughed when asked if the zombie actors froze her polite heart. “Absolutely not,” she said. “I was thrilled to finally meet the people behind the masks.”
She confessed that her biggest thrill was, in fact, the chance to see the zombies up close before filming. The rehearsal period “took our actors so hard to make it look convincing,” she described, “and we were all digging for the secrets that make the dead so at‑heart‑breaking.”
Behind the Scenes Success
- Photocopy moment: Ji‑Hyun begged the zombie ensemble for photos, capturing evidence of their sinister craftsmanship.
- Social media bragging: She promptly flaunted the pictures to friends, family, and fans—because who doesn’t want to brag about the most spooky photos on the block?
Check out the elusive zombie moment on her YouTube channel below:
The Dark Atom of the New Season
At 39, Ji‑Hyun anchors Kingdom: Ashin of the North, the freshly minted special episode that hits Netflix today (July 23).
During a fleeting cameo in the last minutes of Kingdom Season 2’s finale, she debuted as an enigmatic warrior who knows the resurrection plant’s secrets better than anyone in Joseon—and apparently, even some zombies are under her control.
In short: There’s a good chance the zombie apocalypse will feature more fierce women than men, thanks to Ji‑Hyun’s raw charisma and the “blood‑poured” focus of the new Kingdom chapter. Dive in, keep your eyes peeled, and watch those zombies dance to a female lead!
Ashin of the North: The 92‑Minute Journey Begins
Kingdom’s 92‑minute special is finally here, and it promises to pull Ashin deep into the heart of the story—right up to the very roots of the drama’s lore. It’s not just another episode; it’s the “beginning of everything,” as writer Kim Eun‑hee describes it.
What’s in the Episode?
- Ashin’s tight bond with the mysterious plant that keeps the kingdom alive.
- Flashbacks that explain her role in the first two seasons.
- Park Byung‑eun, playing the seasoned commander Min Chi‑rok, returns to anchor the action.
Behind the Scenes: Ji‑hyun’s Insider Scoop
Ji‑hyun spilled the beans at a press conference: “I’m a huge fan of Kingdom and Kim’s writing. Before I even auditioned for Ashin, I told her I wanted to be a zombie—just to be in the story. Even if it was a minor role or just a zombie cameo, I said it was fine.” She laughed, then added, “Now that I’ve landed a major role, it’s honestly an honor. I’m super grateful.”
Zombie Tales from the Forest
Byung‑eun, 44, shared a hilarious memory from Season 2: “We filmed in the forest late at night. Those zombies wore fake blood all over themselves—real blood, really, or was it paint? I’d see them by a massive tree, having a midnight snack. It was surreal!”
He continued, “This time around, because I had experience, the surprise didn’t hit me. Instead, I saw zombie actors fully decked out in blood makeup, on their phones, chatting with friends and family like normal. It was so realistic that I found myself contemplating the fine line between life and death. What does being undead really mean? It was a brand‑new perspective.”
Catch the Spectacle on Netflix
All set to binge? Ashin of the North, with its dynamic cast—Ashin, Min‑rok, and the unforgettable zombies—now streams on Netflix. Grab your popcorn and get ready for a spine‑tingling ride.
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