5 Facts you should know about Netflix’s ‘Kingdom: Ashin Of The North’ special episode

Netflix's first original Korean series, Kingdom was very well received by the audiences and the critics alike, which led the OTT giant to come back with a second season and now a special episode. This special episode of the much loved series follows the origins of a new mysterious character, Ashin and will also reveal the origins of the resurrection plant that triggered the avalanche of tragic events that swept through Joseon.

The highly anticipated special episode has been the talk of the town ever since Ashin made an appearance at the end of the second season and is set to provide an exciting addition to the Kingdom series. Here’s a list of all the things you need to know before you start watching Kingdom: Ashin Of The North special episode

Plot

Towards the end of season two, Chang and Seo-bi find the resurrection plant near the Chinese border and are told by the villagers that someone from China is selling it. We see the final shot of a woman, Ashin smiling mysteriously. It's theorised that Ashin is spreading the virus on purpose. But, nobody knows why. This spinoff aims to answer that question and a lot more.

The special episode will also explore Ashin’s identity and the part that she plays in the series of events that takes place in the Kingdom.

The Teaser Trailer

The teaser trailer for Kingdom: Ashin Of The North, released recently and it gives us the first glimpses into the life of this mysterious character. The official trailer opens with the villagers looking at something in the forest anxiously then we cut to a shot of something running towards them that lunges at one of the villages. We also see young Ashin, who's warned by her father "not to go there" but she insists that there is a strange plant that is "said to bring back the dead". This is followed by scenes of Ashin exploring the cave, seeing the plant and the mysterious drawings that we've been teased with, in the date announcement video. One of the animals that ate the plant is resurrected as indicated by its colourless, lifeless eyes.

Ashin's father tells her that that is the reason why she should not to go there. The scene then shows Ashin's mother who seems to be on her deathbed and we hear Ashin ask, "Just let mom die like that?"

We see more scenes of the dead coming back to life, with the villagers running in fear. Then we hear Ashin wishing for "them to shed tears of blood" and we witness the transition of a young Ashin to the older Ashin with her bow and arrow. This foretells a tale of vengeance. The trailer ends with another wish, "please avenge them" as a mysterious new character stands on top of the temple, overlooking the scenery.

In case you missed it, watch the teaser-trailer here:

Cast

We already know that Hallyu star Jun Ji-hyun (or Gianna Jun) will be leading the drama from her cameo appearance at the end of season two. Apart from Jun, only two other cast members are confirmed as of now, Park Byung-eun is returning as Min Chi-rok, member of the Royal Commandery who encounters Ashin in the freezing cold northern regions and Kim Shi-a will be playing the young Ashin.

Crew

Screenwriter Kim Eun-hee and director Kim Seong-hun, who have already worked on the Kingdom series, will be helming this special episode.

Writer Kim is also writing Jirisan, Jun's upcoming Korean drama together with Ju Ji-hoon (who plays Crown Prince Lee Chang in the Kingdom series). Kim also wrote the critically acclaimed drama, Signal. Kingdom is director Kim's first television series. He previously worked on movies, The Tunnel (2016) and A Hard Day (2014).

Release Date

The release date for Kingdom: Ashin Of The North was kept a secret for some time, but Netflix has finally announced that the 60 minute special episode will be releasing on July 23, 2021.