Kingdom: Ashin of the North has been sitting on the Trending Now on Netflix since its release on July 23. Obviously, this period drama film has piqued the interest of many, Kdrama fans or not.
Many might wonder—especially those who haven't seen the Kingdom series yet—why Kingdom: Ashin of the North has been receiving an enthusiastic response?
Well, for starters, Kingdom: Ashin of the North is a 93-minute special episode that is a prequel for the first two seasons of Kingdom. The film explores the wide backstory of Ashin and how she came up with a plan to revenge her people's death through instigating a start of a horrible disease.
Also Read: Kingdom: Ashin Of The North Explained, Why The Special Episode Is The Beginning Of Everything
Why is Kingdom: Ashin of the North made as a special episode?
If you have followed the Kingdom series, you might have asked yourself "why is Kingdom: Ashin of the North a special episode and not a new season?" Well, writer Kim Eun-hee has a whole impressive plan for her work.
Having written Kingdom: Ashin of the North and the first two seasons of Kingdom, Kim Eun-hee explained through a virtual press conference why she decided to create a special episode. According to Kim, Ashin's life has a long and complex story.
"When you actually look at the chronological aspect of it, I felt that rather than incorporating her story into the third season, it would be more viewer-friendly and also something that would be conducive to higher quality content if we were to release it as a special episode." - Kim Eun-hee, writer of Kingdom 1, 2, and Kingdom: Ashin of the North
Writer Kim also revealed that the character idea for Ashin came to her while she was midway into writing the Kingdom season 2.
"As I have said before, the resurrection plant has cold properties. So, I naturally looked into the northern areas of Joseon and that's where I stumble across a group of people called the Seongjeoyains. These are marginalized people in the northern area of Joseon and through that aspect, the character of Ashin was crystallized." - Kim Eun-hee, writer of Kingdom 1, 2, and Kingdom: Ashin of the North
Related: Kingdom Sequel The Crown Prince Confirmed After Ashin of the North Release
Gianna Jun is the perfect actress to portray Ashin
Director Kim Seong-hoon admitted that he can never reject an opportunity to direct a masterpiece that Gianna Jun (Jun Ji-hyun) will be starring in. As Writer Kim mentioned, Gianna was "cut out for the role of Ashin."
Ashin is a character who grows up as one of the shunned and discriminated Seongjeoyain. After her people got slain, she is driven to continue her life filled with rage and thirst for revenge.
"Gianna Jun is an actress who can impressively express inner pain and suffering. I don't think there's someone better fit for the role of Ashin other than her." - Kim Eun-hee, writer of Kingdom 1, 2, and Kingdom: Ashin of the North
Written by Kim Eun-hee and directed by Kim-Seong-hoon, Kingdom: Ashin of the North is available for online streaming on Netflix since July 23. Headlined by world-class actress Gianna Jun (Jun Ji-hyun), the prequel film also stars Park Byung-eun, Kim Si-a, Kim Roi-ha, and Koo Kyo-hwan.
Also Read: Where To Watch Kingdom: Ashin Of The North In English Sub Or Dub?
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