Season 1, Episode 5 directed by Yoon Sunghyun, and written by Han Jinwon and Jee Hojin, delves into the relentless dangers of the zombie apocalypse, emphasizing how even the smallest mistake or lapse in judgment can lead to infection and death. The episode highlights the necessity of maintaining absolute focus and calm in the face of peril, reinforcing that complacency is a death sentence in such dire circumstances.
The central theme of this episode is tragedy, as three major characters—Sergeant Kim Young-man, Alex, and Sam-soo—meet their demise.
Sergeant Kim Young-man’s downfall stems from his hubris as a military leader. Despite showing signs of growth in the previous episode, his complacency ultimately seals his fate. A single poor decision—entering the kitchen alone for a drink—leads to his infection and transformation into a zombie. His leniency toward his soldiers, allowing them to relax and indulge in smoking and vaping, further underscores his unsuitability as a leader. However, to his credit, he made one crucial right choice: initiating a rogue mission to relocate the 1st Platoon to Suseo Station, where the military was assembling. Now, with his death, his five remaining soldiers and the two civilians under his care must escape the 77A Building without a leader.
Alex and Sam-soo’s deaths, in contrast, are not due to incompetence—though Sam-soo’s inebriation played a part. Both men displayed bravery, risking their lives to help Young-joo reunite with her boyfriend and keep Jin-wook alive. Even Jin-wook, initially selfish and detached, begins to change, appreciating their sacrifices and softening in demeanor. However, his decision to head to a hospital instead of Suseo Station will backfire catastrophically. Hospitals, being the epicenter of the sick and injured, are prime zombie hotspots. If any survivors or a cure remain, it will be nothing short of a miracle.
Soldiers Smoking in a Michelin-Starred Restaurant
At 77A Building, the 1st Platoon discovers zombies have overrun their supply chopper. Sergeant Kim Young-man (Kim Sang-hyeol) orders the use of their anti-aircraft gun to destroy the chopper, preventing it from crashing into the building. While this secures their position temporarily, it also means they have lost their much-needed supplies, making their long-term survival untenable. As a result, Young-man defies the Battalion Commander’s orders and commits to fighting their way out of 77A Building to relocate to Suseo Station, where they hope to find safety.
With Oh Soo-jeong (Hong Seo-hee) joining their ranks, the platoon secures the VIP Lounge, eliminating nearby zombies and gathering food from the kitchen. It is there that they find Paulo (Justin Harvey), the hotel’s head chef, who has survived by hiding in the food storage room. While Paulo helps prepare a meal for them, he becomes disgusted when the soldiers begin drinking, smoking, and vaping, behaviors that betray their duty as soldiers. While soldiers are human, they are also sworn to protect and serve, and indulging in such distractions—even in times of stress—can be fatal.
Unfortunately, Sergeant Kim Young-man makes a critical mistake—entering the kitchen alone, unarmed, just to get a soda. A zombie attacks, infecting him, and within moments, the platoon loses its leader. Now, only five soldiers remain:
- Corporal Kwak Gye-young (Bong Chan-wook)
- Hwang Kyung-sik (Kim Jung-jin)
- Jung Tae-hwa (Lee Joo-won)
- Private Lee Jae-yoon (Park Jeong-min)
- Private Ra In-ho (Im Sung-jae)
They are joined by Oh Soo-jeong, equipped with military gear, and Chef Paulo.
The Quartet Reach the 77A Building
In Gangnam, Kang Young-joo (Jisoo), Seo Jin-wook (Kang Young-seok), Sung Tae-sik (Lee Hak-joo), and Sam-soo (Tang Jun-sang) watch from the safety of a convenience store as Sung Tae-sik (Lee Hak-joo) reaches the 77A Building, but the lobby is swarmed with zombies, forcing them to enter through the underground parking lot—a dark, enclosed space crawling with threats. Armed with improvised weapons like Molotovs and golf clubs, they fight their way through.
During the chaos, Alex is swarmed and torn apart by zombies. Realizing his fate, he chooses to end his suffering through self-immolation, a heartbreaking but noble sacrifice. His death devastates the group, but they press forward, ensuring his efforts are not in vain.
The Couple Make Contact
As Sam-soo retrieves Alex’s car, Jae-yoon and Young-joo finally make contact. Their conversation is tense—Jae-yoon is furious that Young-joo came to the 77A Building, knowing the area is heavily infested with zombies. He urges her to head to Suseo Station, where the military is assembling to purge the undead and protect civilians.
Since 1st Platoon is also heading to Suseo Station, the group prepares to drive there in Alex’s car. However, Jin-wook insists on making a detour to Seoul Hospital, desperate to find his mother.
Sam-soo, now sobering up, begins succumbing to his zombie infection. Wanting to protect his friends, he stays behind on the streets, allowing himself to gradually transform without putting them in danger.
Rating: 9/10