Korean Show Blends Zombies and Reality TV, Garnering Mixed Reviews and Global Attention

NETFLIX

In an audacious attempt to merge the world of K-zombies with the realm of Korean reality shows, Kakao Entertainment producers Park Jin-kyung and Moon Sang-don have unleashed "Zombieverse," an unconventional eight-episode reality series that debuted on Netflix on August 8. While this audacious blend of genres has provoked a gamut of reactions worldwide, the creators remain undaunted, embracing both praise and critique.

Speaking during a collective interview with local reporters, Park conveyed the significance of even negative feedback, sharing, "Even the negative reviews are very dear to us." He continued, "Some reviews even went as far as to say that our show is like trash, while the positive reviews are saying we tried a completely new genre with 'Zombieverse.' We are learning a lot from this different feedback."

The premise of "Zombieverse" revolves around 10 prominent celebrities who must navigate their way through a zombie-infested Seoul, ultimately seeking refuge on an unspoiled island, all without succumbing to the undead horde. The eclectic cast features notable figures such as comedians Noh Hong-chul and Park Na-rae, television personalities Jonathan and Patricia, singers Din Din and Tsuki, former special forces soldier turned YouTuber Dex, YouTuber Hong Seong-woo, baseball player Yoo Hee-kwan, and actor Lee Si-young.

Although the reception for "Zombieverse" has been a patchwork of opinions, it emerged as the most popular series on Netflix in Korea during its premiere week. On a global scale, the show garnered the tenth position on the streaming platform's ranking, according to FlixPatrol, an aggregator of streaming data.

A recurring point of contention in critical reviews centers on the show's genre ambiguity. Straddling between a reality TV format and a narrative teeming with actors portraying zombies, skepticism has arisen about the presence of a script guiding the proceedings.

Addressing this skepticism, Park clarified, "So many people have asked us if there is a preconceived script for the show... We told them the basic concept for the episodes and let them interpret it." Moon chimed in, emphasizing the spontaneity of the production, "It is impossible that there was a script involved because we took a whole day to film each episode. Behind the 40 to 50-minute presentation for the audience, hours of preparation ensued. There is no way that we could prepare a script for everyone in that amount of time."

"Zombieverse" emerged from a desire to redefine the boundaries of reality television, as the producers sought to innovate within the genre. "We wanted to create a new reality show genre," Moon elucidated. "So we filmed using the format of a typical reality show but edited the post-production to make it almost resemble a theatrical play... It could be hard to digest for audiences who are used to conventional reality television shows, but it is definitely the direction we want to take."

Notable among the cast, Dex's commitment to the project garnered praise from the creators. "Half of what Dex showed us was what we hoped for him to deliver in the show, and the other half was entirely unexpected, in a good way," Park acknowledged. The popularity of Dex, known for his participation in the hit show "Single's Inferno," contributed to drawing viewers to "Zombieverse."

However, it is the actors portraying zombies who are hailed as the unsung heroes of the series. Moon emphasized their contribution, noting, "The actors who played the zombies were the ones who played zombies in the Netflix series 'Kingdom'... They were the ones who made 'Zombieverse' come to life."

"Zombieverse," with its amalgamation of disparate elements, underscores the evolving landscape of television, prompting audiences to reckon with a novel breed of entertainment that challenges traditional genre boundaries. As it navigates its own labyrinth of critique and acclaim, the series stands as a testament to the creative ambition that is reshaping the content we consume.

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