
Netflix has officially kicked off production for the highly anticipated second season of the global hit zombie thriller All of Us Are Dead, a South Korean series that captivated audiences worldwide with its gripping tale of survival. The streaming giant announced the start of filming alongside a confirmed cast lineup, blending returning favorites with fresh faces, as the story expands beyond the confines of Hyosan High School into the chaotic streets of Seoul. With a new wave of infection threatening the survivors, Season 2 promises to deliver more heart-pounding action and emotional depth, building on the foundation laid by its record-breaking debut season.
Based on the popular webtoon Now at Our School by Joo Dong-geun, All of Us Are Dead became a cultural phenomenon upon its release on January 28, 2022, amassing over 560 million viewing hours in its first month alone and securing a spot in Netflix’s Top 10 charts across more than 90 countries. The series, known for its intense portrayal of a zombie apocalypse sparked by a failed science experiment, follows a group of high school students fighting for survival amidst relentless undead hordes. Directed by Lee Jae-gyu and written by Chun Sung-il, Season 2 is poised to elevate the stakes, introducing new characters and a broader scope while retaining the emotional core that resonated with global audiences.
Returning Cast and New Additions in All of Us Are Dead Season 2
The second season welcomes back core cast members who brought the harrowing tale of Hyosan High to life. Park Ji-hu reprises her role as Nam On-jo, the resilient student grappling with the trauma of her past. Yoon Chan-young returns as Lee Cheong-san, whose fate was left ambiguous in Season 1, sparking intense speculation about his survival. Cho Yi-hyun is back as Choi Nam-ra, the half-zombie navigating her dual nature, while Lomon will once again portray Lee Su-hyeok, the brave ex-delinquent with lingering feelings for Nam-ra. Their performances in the first season earned widespread praise for capturing the raw fear, camaraderie, and heartbreak of a zombie apocalypse.
Joining the returning cast are four new actors, each bringing fresh dynamics to the series. Lee Min-jae, known for his role in Weak Hero: Class 2, will play Yong Ma-ru, Nam On-jo’s college senior who has developed unique survival tactics in the face of the zombie outbreak. Kim Si-eun, recently seen in Squid Game Season 2, takes on the role of So Ju-ran, a popular college student caught in the chaos. Roh Jae-won, another Squid Game veteran appearing in both Seasons 2 and 3, will portray Han Du-seok, a National Intelligence Service team leader tasked with confronting the escalating crisis.
Rounding out the new additions is Yoon Ga-yi, who plays Lee Jong-a, an outspoken and straightforward college student joining the fight for survival. This expanded ensemble promises to deepen the narrative as the story shifts to a new urban battleground.
What will All of Us Are Dead Season 2 beabout?
Season 2 of All of Us Are Dead picks up some time after the devastating events at Hyosan High, with Nam On-jo now a university student in Seoul, struggling to move past the trauma of losing friends and facing unimaginable horrors. Just as she begins to rebuild her life, a new zombie virus outbreak erupts across the city, thrusting her into another desperate struggle for survival. Unlike the confined setting of the high school, this season expands the scope to Seoul’s sprawling urban landscape, where On-jo must forge new alliances with her university peers to combat the relentless infected. The official synopsis from Netflix hints at a story that explores not only survival but also the psychological toll of living in a world perpetually on the brink of collapse.
Director Lee Jae-gyu, whose work on Daily Dose of Sunshine and King2Hearts has showcased his knack for blending intense drama with human connection, returns to helm the project. He is joined once again by writer Chun Sung-il, known for The Pirates and Your Honor, ensuring continuity in the series’ signature mix of high-stakes action and poignant character moments. Filming began on July 23, 2025, with a tentative premiere slated for 2026, exclusively on Netflix. The production team has teased that Season 2 will delve deeper into the mythology of the zombie virus, potentially exploring the origins of the “halfbies” like Nam-ra and the societal fallout of a city-wide outbreak.
Recapping Season 1: A Cliffhanger-Filled Finale
The first season of All of Us Are Dead left viewers on the edge of their seats with a finale that raised as many questions as it answered. Set in the fictional city of Hyosan, the story began when a misguided science teacher, Lee Byeong-chan, unleashed the Jonas Virus through a failed experiment, turning students and faculty into fast-moving, ravenous zombies. The outbreak quickly spiraled, trapping a group of students in Hyosan High School, where they faced not only the infected but also internal conflicts, bullying, and the weight of impossible choices.
By the season’s end, six students—Nam On-jo, Lee Su-hyeok, Yang Dae-su, Jang Ha-ri, Seo Hyo-ryung, and Park Mi-jin—were rescued but placed in government quarantine, their fates uncertain. Choi Nam-ra, revealed to be a half-zombie with enhanced strength and a hunger for human flesh, parted ways with her friends to protect them, only to reappear in the final moments, hinting at her struggle to retain her humanity. Most shockingly, Lee Cheong-san, who heroically sacrificed himself in a confrontation with the vengeful bully Yoon Gwi-nam, was presumed dead, though his body was never shown turning into a zombie, leaving room for speculation about his survival. The open-ended conclusion, coupled with the introduction of hybrid zombies and the looming threat of a broader outbreak, set the stage for an ambitious second season.
As production ramps up, All of Us Are Dead Season 2 is shaping up to be a thrilling continuation of a story that has already cemented its place in the global zombie genre. With a blend of familiar faces and new characters, the series is poised to explore uncharted territory, from the streets of Seoul to the inner lives of its survivors. Netflix’s commitment to the project, backed by the creative vision of Lee Jae-gyu and Chun Sung-il, signals a season that will push the boundaries of the original while staying true to its roots as a story of resilience, friendship, and survival against all odds.
For now, fans must wait until 2026 to see how Nam On-jo and her allies navigate this new chapter. One thing is certain: in a world overrun by the undead