Jun Ji Hyun is South Korea’s representative top actress for a lot of reasons. That includes giving life to Ashin and convincing us that her end game is worth all the pain and treachery she sustained.
Kingdom: Ashin of the North describes the phrase “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” in vivid colors. Barely delivering lines in the special episode of Kingdom, the actress amazes with her stellar portrayal of a woman driven to seek justice for the unfair wipe out of her clan.
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Tracing the origin of the monster outbreak in the Kingdom universe, like me, viewers would be in a dilemma on how to place Ashin in our hearts.
Her pain and sorrow sprang from the disheartening and merciless deaths of her clan. Her tribe Seongjeoyain, a group of Jurchen people, has settled into a friendly relationship with Joseon.
When her father, the leader of the tribe was tasked to become a spy to the Pajeowi tribe by Joseon commanding officer Min Chi Rok, a tragic event befell her family.
Caught in the dispute between Joseon and the Jurchens, Seongjeoyain people were eradicated except Ashin who went to the forest to retrieve the resurrection plant for her mother who was on the brink of death.
Seeking help from Min Chi Rok to avenge her people, she stayed at the Joseon military camp as a servant. All the while, she spies on the Pajeowi tribe and improving her archery and fighting skills.
However, when she stumbles on her vanished father held captive at Pajeowi camp, she also learns an agonizing truth that led her unrelenting retribution.
Kingdom: Ashin of the North Special Episode Musings
There is no wasted minute in the duration of Kingdom: Ashin of the North. It is hard to put it down because your attention is locked to the narrative that you can finish in one sitting.
Despite Ashin’s ruthless vengeance, it can’t be helped but be understanding of her sentiment. She has successfully convinced us through her perspective that the betrayals from her own kin as well as the country she vowed allegiance with warrant the beginning of brutal killings.
Unleashing a breed of monster for her cold-blooded goal to obliterate the warring Joseon and Jurchen people is genius albeit savage. Wanting more of her future stories is also inescapable.
This special episode impresses with the idea of how scenes need not be verbalized when the emotions captured are distinctly expressive. In the quick run of the series which actually felt like a film, the parade of climactic and poignant scenes strengthen the fascinating story.
From laying down the clear foundation of the narrative, the escalating moments past Ashin’s realization of the deception – to the heartfelt trust she fully gave, are bouts of all-consuming surprises.
And we can only hope that her valiant spirit will expound to her appearance in the third season. Because her contradicting stance of vanquishing Joseon would surely clash with Prince Chang’s goal of saving the Kingdom.
Ultimately, Gianna Jun’s nuanced portrayal leaves a lingering impression while answering the origin of the Kingdom universe plague.
A guaranteed riveting watch perfect for your weekend, Kingdom: Ashin of the North like the regular Kingdom series installments spurs a nagging yearning of hoping for the next season to arrive soon.
Kingdom: Ashin of the North is exclusively streaming on Netflix!
All photos courtesy of Netflix
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