It's been a year since I enjoyed a K-drama to the point that I let it consume my life 24/7. So when I discovered another gem—All Of Us Are Dead—, I ~promoted~ it to my close friends and told them that they won't regret watching it. Zombie-themed dramas are not really my cup of tea but for some reason, this Netflix original Korean series hits different.
Adapted from the webtoon of the same name, All Of Us Are Dead is set in high school and revolves around a group of students who try to survive a zombie apocalypse. They come up with solutions, find weapons, and go through the pain of losing a friend and family member in order to stay alive. They also have to make decisions that will change their lives forever. What makes the drama distinct from other zombie series is its underlying messages that are often swept under the rug. All Of Us Are Dead may be dark and disturbing, but it's also an eye-opening experience.
I love the drama *so much* (it's my fave Netflix original so far) that getting to interview the cast via Zoom felt surreal. Park Ji Hu, Yoon Chan Young, Cho Yi Hyun, Park Solomon, and director Lee Jae Gyu were all smiles during our exchange, which made me enjoy it even more. And because All Of Us Are Dead made me sob three times (I only expected it to keep me on the edge of my seat), we talked about their most intense and emotional scenes and how they prepared for it.
Park Ji Hu
Park Ji Hu portrays Nam On Jo, a student who has top-tier survival skills as taught by her dad who's a firefighter. She may not be good at exams but she's someone you can rely on to help you survive a zombie virus outbreak. In the drama, On Jo lost the most important people in her life and you'll be crying in no time once you watch these parts.
One of your scenes where you had to let go of your best friend, Isak, had us crying. What was in your mind that made you emotional while filming this?
Park Ji Hu: At that time when we filmed the drama, I was the same age as On Jo who’s a junior in high school. I thought about losing my own best friend in school. That’s how I was able to have those emotions. Before the shoot, I also talked a lot to the director and cast and they helped me be in that kind of situation.
Yoon Chan Young
Because of Yoon Chan Young's character, Lee Cheong San, the song "Auld Lang Syne" is now the saddest song for us (IYKYK). Cheong San is brave and bold, and he always puts his loved ones first even if it means sacrificing his life.
Your scenes in the drama are intense. How did you prepare for them physically and emotionally?
Yoon Chan Young: Most of them were either action scenes or very emotional scenes. I felt that I had to separate between the two. To physically prepare, I exercised a lot and took action school lessons. I took martial arts classes, too. There’s this lake park in Ilsan, South Korea and I would jog around it so that I could get fitter and fight the cold as well. I tried to keep my stamina up so that I could really chase and be chased after in the drama.
Cho Yi Hyun
Class president Choi Nam Ra is played by Cho Yi Hyun, a student who seems to be distant and cold at first. She had a hard time opening up to her classmates and is often seen alone. Nam Ra takes us by surprise in the latter part of the series as she shows her concern and values the friendship she has formed with them.
You played completely different roles in School 2021 and Hospital Playlist. How hard was it to transition to your character in All Of Us Are Dead?
Cho Yi Hyun: My characters in School 2021 and Hospital Playlist are more on the brighter side, they’re more upbeat. Because I wanted to take on a new role, Nam Ra appealed more to me. Portraying a different character needs courage but the cast was very encouraging and they would cheer me up a lot. So I wouldn’t say it was difficult, I would say it was more fun.
Park Solomon
Park Solomon plays reformed school bully Lee Su Hyeok, aka Baresu. He's one loyal friend to his barkada and would often lend a hand. Because of his background as an athlete, you can expect Su Hyeok to be as fearless as he can be, and punch a zombie when the situation calls for it.
If a zombie bites you and you only have 30 seconds before you turn into one, what would you do?
Park Solomon: I would say I love you, thank you, and sorry for everything I’ve done. I guess it depends on who I’m with at the moment. If I’m with my family, I think I would apologize first and then thank them for raising me up. If I’m with my friends, I would say I love you, thank you, and I would put myself in quarantine so I don’t bite anyone else.
Director Lee Jae Gyu
At the helm of All Of Us Are Dead is director Lee Jae Gyu, who also oversaw the masterpieces Damo, Intimate Strangers, and Beethoven Virus. Up next on his impressive directing portfolio is the healing K-drama Morning Comes To Psychiatric Wards, Too.
What particular scene in the drama disturbed you on a different level? Was it something you can relate to?
Director Lee Jae Gyu: When you have a lot of shocking things happen at the same time, you kind of get used to it. I remember at the beginning of the show, a few hours ago they were your friends. They were your closest classmates. And then you get to lose them and you have to attack them in order for you to survive. I think that part is the most painful and shocking for me. To see that these kids have to let go of their friends and attack their friends who are even closer to them than their family members—I think this was the most emotional part. I was very emotional before shooting the scene and even after shooting the scene. I would say that episodes two and three were the most difficult episodes for me.
You can watch all 12 episodes of All Of Us Are Dead on Netflix.
**Answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.
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