Kdrama Review: All of Us Are Dead (2022)

A group of high school students attempt to survive a zombie outbreak at their school. The virus spreads quickly to the community, leaving the students stranded to fend for themselves. 

This show combines two things I love - zombies and high school drama. While the middle part of the series felt rather bloated, I mostly enjoyed this large ensemble cast with an interesting take on zombie lore. 

❤ The opening shot of the show does a phenomenal job of showing all of Hyosan High School's various locals. And, boy, does it not disappoint in allowing the school to be the showcase of the series. We get to see action sequences and zombie hoards everywhere in the school, from stampeding into the cafeteria to hunkering down in the gym's storage unit. 

❤ While the romances are always secondary to the zombies, they are still wonderfully executed. One love story revolves around an unrequited love between two long time friends, and the other romance focuses on the class president and a former bad boy. What's not to love? 

❤ At the heart of this zombie drama is friendships - both those made prior to the outbreak and those made in the desperate days afterwards. All of the main teams lose party members, and their deaths are impactful because we've seen the deep bonds of affection between them all. 

❤ Part of the charm of the show is the levity it brings in the middle of all the darkness and despair. I do think it has a rather hopeful ending, but it still hurts. It is, after all, a zombie show so be prepared to lose some of your favs along the way. 

❤ Cheong-san showed up and did his homework. The actor, Yoon Chan-Young, has made a fan for life. He had so many excellent action sequences, heartfelt emotional breakdowns, and spades of chemistry with all of the cast.   

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Watch if you like: 🧟 Zombies | 🔪 Survival stories | 🤝 Squad goals
Find it: Netflix (12 episodes)

💬 What's your favorite zombie show or movie?