Season 1 of Netflix’s Korean zombie series All of Us Are Dead delivered a gripping 12-episode journey filled with unexpected twists, emotional moments, and intense suspense. The finale left many questions unanswered, yet it carried an overarching message of hope while maintaining a sense of lingering dread. Characters who seemed invincible clashed with those whose deaths shocked viewers, leaving fans questioning who truly survived and what the future holds for the remaining students.
A central storyline focused on Lee Byeong-Chan, the creator of the Jonas virus. Hoping to protect his son from bullies, he injected him with a serum that ultimately transformed him into the first zombie. By the finale, both his son and wife remained alive but zombified, chained to a bed. Government officials discovered them and decided they must be preserved rather than killed, hinting at ongoing efforts to cure the virus and leaving their ultimate fate a mystery. This scene suggests they could play a key role in a potential second season.
Nam-ra’s Struggle Highlights Survival, Restraint, and Grief Among the Remaining Students
Another key survivor was Nam-ra, who never fully turned into a zombie. In the finale, she intentionally lagged behind the group, struggling with her violent impulses. Demonstrating extraordinary self-control, she resisted attacking her friends, even when her hunger threatened to overwhelm her. Despite the tension, On-jo and Su-hyeok refused to harm her, and she ultimately fled, maintaining her freedom while preserving the hope of eventual rescue or reunion.
Cho Yi-hyun as Choi Nam-ra (All of Us Are Dead/Netflix)The surviving students arrived at a quarantine camp burdened by grief. On-jo reflected on the sorrow of surviving, highlighting the emotional toll of losing loved ones, friends, and familiar life. From losing her mother to the deaths of Cheong-san, I-sak, and others, the series emphasized that survival in a post-apocalyptic world comes with profound emotional scars.
Hope and Uncertainty Emerge as Nam-ra Signals Survival and Future Challenges Loom
Despite the heavy losses, the finale introduced hope. On-jo noticed a fire at Hyosan High School, which turned out to be Nam-ra signaling her survival and connection with others like her who were infected but had not fully transformed. This group exists in a state between human and monster, suggesting potential allies or threats in the future. Nam-ra’s refusal to return with the main group left the ending open to interpretation while maintaining suspense for a second season.
The series also explored love and heroism amidst chaos. Cheong-san died after a heroic last stand, experiencing a brief moment of happiness with On-jo before his end. Gwi-nam, the fan-favorite villain, repeatedly defied death and left the survivors in tension. While Cheong-san’s fate seems sealed, the unpredictable nature of the show leaves the possibility of returns open, maintaining curiosity about the characters’ futures in Season 2.
