Zumbiverse: The first reality show featuring zombies arrives on Netflix

In a bold innovation that combines zombie horror with the excitement of reality television, Netflix has launched ‘Zombiverse’, a survival show that promises to redefine the genre. Produced in South Korea, the program is a mixture of horror, humor and realism, in which ten participants must work together to survive a zombie apocalypse.

With a unique approach that combines elements of movies and series with the unpredictable dynamics of a reality show, ‘Zumbiverse’ seeks to innovate to capture the imagination of viewers around the world. The goal is to complete tests on a route set by the makers and escape attacks from the creatures, with elimination occurring through bites from the undead.

From fiction to reality

In an interview with American website Deadline, creative producer Park Jin Kyung explained that merging a fictional story with the evidence of an unscripted reality was a challenge, but that the practical knowledge already existed. “Korea already has a huge variety of reality shows and we’ve also seen a lot of zombie shows and movies, so we thought it would be fun to put them together, at least we knew the infrastructure was there.”

According to the producer, what differentiates “Zumbiverse” from a traditional series is the way it’s shot. “What makes it different from scripted drama are the realistic expressions of the participants and the conflicts and dilemmas that arise. We don’t have many close-ups, because that would make it look like a film or a drama, but you can see in the wide shots that the reactions of the participants they are real.”

The celebrity cast is in the right mood

The reality cast was made up of a diverse mix of personalities, including comedians, musicians, social media personalities, sports, and television personalities. Among them are Congolese YouTubers Jonathan and Patricia, rapper DinDin, actress Lee Si-young (of “Sweet Home”) and former baseball player Yoo Hee Kwan. There is also a real doctor, urologist Kkwa Chu Hyung, to keep things realistic. The presence of dancer Ro Hong-chul, internationally known for the music video “Gangnam Style”, and Japanese singer Tsuki adds further luster to the cast.

Director Moon Sang Don also said that the production team was surprised by the reactions of the participants. “At first we were concerned that they wouldn’t be able to interact in the environment we created, but their chemistry and spontaneous reactions have continued to improve when faced with challenging situations.”

A country full of zombies

For the director, a series like this could only be made in South Korea, with its rich history of zombie films and series. Moon explained, “Besides movies and series, there are also zombie-themed K-pop videos, so you could say we have some actors who are already well versed in living zombies.” This made it easier for the production to create scenes that could become risky, as they involve intense physical contact, as well as making the scenes feel more authentic.

In addition, the team also relied on the experience of professionals who have worked on Netflix’s hit zombie series, such as “All Of Us Are Dead” and “Kingdom”. The “All Of Us Are Dead” art design team and the “Kingdom” action choreographers were instrumental in creating the realistic zombies.

Filming in real locations

Shot over several weeks, the show focused on continuity and creating an authentic experience. Park Jin Kyung revealed that the production employed guerrilla filmmaking tactics, shooting in crowded locations in Seoul without permission. But the main challenges came in indoor locations, such as a gas station, supermarket and funeral home, which they were able to rent from private landlords. The concept of the show is that the contestants flee Seoul, not rush towards it, so many scenes were shot in a quiet suburb and isolated rural village. Shooting at night – a natural feature of any zombie series worth its salt – also helped ensure quieter, spectator-free locations.

When asked if this kind of format can be played in other countries, Park and Moon look at each other and laugh. “It can be difficult: few countries have Korea’s level of experience with zombies,” Park said with a smile. “It’s not the kind of thing you can shoot guerrilla-style on the streets of New York.”

Repercussion

The result divided opinion. Many people thought that it would be a series in the style of “The Walking Dead”, especially since the zombie makeup is professional, and therefore they were disappointed – they criticize the “problems in the script”! But anyone imagining a forced reality show was surprised by the commitment of the cast and the hilarious tone. Reviews range from “worst zombie series ever” to “best reality show ever.”

Watch the trailer for the attraction.

Source: Terra

Rose

Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.