Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama All of Us Are Dead, which became Netflix’s most terrifying and addictive zombie series from South Korea.
All of Us Are Dead premiered on Netflix on January 28, 2022, featuring 12 episodes in its first season, each running approximately 60 minutes. This Korean zombie thriller combines high school drama with intense horror elements, creating a unique blend of teenage angst and survival terror.
Based on the popular webtoon “Now at Our School,” the series takes place entirely within a high school during a zombie outbreak, trapping students and teachers in a fight for survival. The show masterfully balances character development with non-stop zombie action, exploring themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the loss of innocence.
The series stands out in the crowded zombie genre by focusing on teenage perspectives and the unique challenges young people face when their safe space becomes a deadly battleground.
The Virus Outbreak at Hyosan High School
The central plot begins when a science teacher’s experiment with a mutated virus goes horribly wrong, transforming students into violent zombies within Hyosan High School. What starts as a normal school day quickly descends into chaos as the infection spreads rapidly through hallways, classrooms, and the entire building.
The story follows a group of students trapped on the school’s upper floors as they witness their friends, teachers, and classmates turn into flesh-hungry monsters. The survivors must navigate through zombie-infested corridors while searching for escape routes and safe zones. Each episode reveals more about the virus’s origin while showing how quickly civilization can collapse when faced with an unstoppable plague.
Nam On-jo: The Determined Survivor
Nam On-jo, portrayed by Park Ji-hu, emerges as the group’s emotional center and strategic thinker. Her character represents hope and determination as she refuses to give up on saving her friends and finding her missing father, a firefighter trying to rescue survivors from outside the school.
On-jo’s journey from an ordinary high school student to a resourceful survivor showcases incredible character growth. Her relationships with childhood friend Cheong-san and new ally Su-hyeok create emotional depth while her quick thinking and compassion help keep the group together during their darkest moments.
Lee Cheong-san: The Reluctant Hero
Lee Cheong-san, played by Yoon Chan-young, transforms from a quiet, unremarkable student into the group’s primary protector. His secret feelings for On-jo drive much of his heroic actions, while his mysterious immunity to zombie bites becomes crucial to the group’s survival.
Cheong-san’s character arc explores themes of courage, self-sacrifice, and unrequited love as he repeatedly risks his life to protect his classmates. His evolution from background student to group leader demonstrates how extreme circumstances can reveal hidden strengths and true character.
The Final Stand and Heartbreaking Sacrifices
The series reaches its devastating climax as the survivors make their final attempt to escape the school while facing evolved zombies and military intervention. The most emotionally powerful moments involve characters making ultimate sacrifices to save their friends, with several beloved characters meeting tragic ends.
The finale delivers shocking revelations about the virus’s true nature while setting up potential future storylines. The bittersweet ending shows that survival comes at a tremendous cost, with the remaining characters forever changed by their traumatic experiences and the loss of their innocence.
Netflix Global Success and Horror Innovation
All of Us Are Dead became a worldwide sensation on Netflix, breaking into the top 10 in over 90 countries within its first week. The series’ 12-episode first season generated massive international buzz, with fans praising its realistic zombie makeup, intense action sequences, and emotional storytelling. Netflix’s investment in high-quality production values and authentic Korean high school settings created a zombie series that felt both fresh and terrifyingly believable. The show’s success has solidified K-content’s dominance in the horror genre and sparked discussions about potential second seasons.
If you love intense zombie thrillers with genuine emotional depth, All of Us Are Dead is the perfect series to terrify and captivate you on Netflix.
A heart-pounding zombie thriller that combines teenage drama with intense horror, creating an unforgettable survival story.
Series Details:
- Number of Episodes: 12 (1 season)
- Platform: Netflix
- Rating: 7.6/10
- Genre: Zombie Horror, Teen Drama, Survival Thriller
- Protagonists: Park Ji-hu (Nam On-jo), Yoon Chan-young (Lee Cheong-san), Cho Yi-hyun (Choi Nam-ra)
- Antagonist: The zombie virus and infected students/teachers