Netflix’s new original zombie series “All of Us Are Dead” will be released worldwide today, Jan. 28.
In the tradition of Korea’s expertise in making zombie and horror films and dramas including “Train to Busan,” “Kingdom” and “Peninsula,” “All of Us Are Dead” offers a fresh take on the genre.
“All of Us Are Dead” is about students who become trapped in their high school after a zombie invasion.
The series stars Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun, Lomon, Yoo In-soo, Lim Jae-hyeok and Lee Yoo-mi of the hit Netflix series “Squid Game.”
During the press conference in Korea on Jan. 26, the cast and directors talked about the series, which was based on the Korean webtoon “Now at Our School.”
Park Ji-hu, who plays the role of Nam On-jo in the 12-episode series, said “All of Us Are Dead” offers different zombies.
"We have zombies in a school uniform or in a gym suit. Some of them appear at a cafeteria and an infirmary," she said, Yonhap News reported.
Lee Yoo-mi plays the role of student Lee Na-yeon and said, "I got curious about Na-yeon while reading the webtoon, and it's an honor for me to come to play the character. I want watchers to say that although Na-yeon is cheeky, she is fine because of the acting."
Director Lee Jae-kyoo, who helmed the dramas “Fashion 70's” and “Beethoven Virus,” said he felt pressure in making the webtoon into a series.
“I would be lying if I said I felt no pressure in reproducing the legendary webtoon into a 12-part Netflix series. However, I consulted with author Joo Dong-geun numerous times to create the series and I am excited to showcase ‘All of Us Are Dead’ to the viewers,” he said, according to the Korea Herald.
He added, “Though there are many zombie works, most of them are about things that happen to adults. Our series centers on a zombie virus spreading among young students. It will be interesting to see the students’ behavior and their nature in a desperate situation.”
About the stars of the series, he said, “I had previously never spent whole days on rehearsals, but for this one, we did spend whole days just rehearsing. To deliver dynamic and lively action scenes, the staff and I tried to do many one-takes. The tryouts with hundreds of zombie actors was a challenge, but their efforts made everything possible.”