You remember that feeling. It was January 2022. Everyone was stuck inside, scrolling Netflix, and suddenly a green tracksuit wasn't the only thing trending. It was a blood-soaked Hyosan High School uniform. All of Us Are Dead didn't just become another zombie show; it turned a group of relatively unknown young actors into global superstars overnight.
Honestly, it’s rare to see a breakout this massive. We saw it with Squid Game, sure. But the All of Us Are Dead cast had a different kind of energy—it was raw, teenage desperation mixed with incredible physical acting. They weren't just running from stunt performers in makeup. They were portraying the brutal social hierarchy of Korean high schools while jumping off desks.
The Core Survivors: Where Are They Now?
Park Ji-hu played Nam On-jo, the "girl next door" who basically saved everyone because her dad was a firefighter. Before this, she was already a critical darling for the indie film House of Hummingbird. Since the show dropped, she hasn't slowed down. You might’ve caught her in the eerie K-drama Little Women alongside Kim Go-eun. She brings this quiet, grounded intensity to her roles that makes her feel way older than she actually is.
Then there’s Yoon Chan-young. He played Lee Cheong-san. You know, the guy we all hoped would somehow survive that fiery elevator shaft leap. Yoon was a child actor long before the zombie outbreak. He’s been in the industry since 2013, appearing in dramas like Mama and Six Flying Dragons. Post-Hyosan, he’s leaned into more "Gen Z" roles, like the gritty drug-trafficking drama Hope or Dope. He’s got that classic leading man vibe but with a bit more grit than your average K-pop idol-turned-actor.
Cho Yi-hyun, who played the "cold" class president Choi Nam-ra, is probably the one who saw the biggest shift in her career. Her character’s transformation into a "hambie" (half-zombie) was the emotional anchor of the first season. She’s since become a fashion icon, frequently seen at high-end events for brands like Chanel. She also starred in the period rom-com The Matchmakers, proving she can do more than just growl and crave human flesh.
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And we can't forget Lomon (Park Solomon). He played Lee Su-hyeok. The guy was an instant heartthrob. Born in Uzbekistan and of Lomon (Park Solomon) descent, he brought a different aesthetic to the screen. After the show, he jumped straight into Revenge of Others, another high-stakes school thriller. He’s clearly found his niche: the protector with a tough exterior and a heart of gold.
The Villains We Loved to Hate
Let's talk about Yoo In-soo. He played Yoon Gwi-nam. This guy was a menace. A literal cockroach that wouldn't die. Yoo’s performance was so convincing that people actually felt uneasy seeing him in interviews afterward. But that’s the mark of a great actor. He’s actually a total sweetheart in real life. If you want to see his range, go watch Alchemy of Souls. He plays Park Dang-gu, a bright, bubbly, and lovable character that is the complete opposite of Gwi-nam. It’s a total 180.
Lee Yoo-mi is another fascinating case. She played Lee Na-yeon, the rich girl who caused... well, a lot of unnecessary deaths. If she looked familiar, it’s because she was also in Squid Game as Ji-yeong (Player 240). She has this incredible knack for picking projects that go viral. She recently took on a lead role in Strong Girl Nam-soon, showing she can carry a massive franchise on her own shoulders.
Why This Specific Cast Worked So Well
Director Lee Jue-kyu made a very deliberate choice. He didn't want A-list stars. He wanted fresh faces. Why? Because if the audience already knows an actor is a superstar, they don't feel the stakes. You know the superstar isn't going to die in episode three. With the All of Us Are Dead cast, we had no idea who was safe.
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That uncertainty fueled the tension.
The chemistry wasn't faked, either. They spent months in "zombie school." They literally had to learn how to move like the undead, and the main cast spent hours training in martial arts and parkour. When you see Cheong-san sprinting across the tops of library bookshelves, that's not just a stunt double. That's the result of grueling physical preparation.
The Supporting Players You Might've Missed
- Ha Seung-ri (Jang Ha-ri): The archery badass. She’s been acting since she was five years old! She was the daughter in the 1999 hit Trap of Youth.
- Lee Eun-saem (Park Mi-jin): The foul-mouthed senior. She went from this role to playing a polite court lady in The Red Sleeve. The duality is insane.
- Lim Jae-hyeok (Yang Dae-su): The guy who sang to keep everyone's spirits up. He actually gained weight for the role to match the webtoon character's physique.
What’s the Status of Season 2?
This is the big question. Netflix officially greenlit Season 2 back in June 2022. But here’s the thing: production on high-scale Korean shows takes a long time. The All of Us Are Dead cast has been busy with individual projects, which complicates scheduling.
Director Lee has hinted that if Season 1 was about human survival, Season 2 will be about "zombie survival." We’re looking at a world where "hambies" like Nam-ra have to navigate a society that hates them. Rumors suggest the core four—Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun, and Lomon—are all returning. Yes, even Yoon Chan-young, despite his character's "death." In the world of K-dramas, if you don't see a body, they aren't gone. Even if you do see a body, there's always a way back.
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The scale is expected to be much larger. We’re moving out of the school and into the ruined streets of Hyosan and potentially Seoul.
The Impact on the Korean Entertainment Industry
The success of this cast changed the game for how Netflix scouts talent in Asia. They realized that you don't need a massive marketing budget if you have a compelling, relatable group of young actors. It opened doors for shows like Weak Hero Class 1 and Moving.
The All of Us Are Dead cast also proved that global audiences are willing to watch subtitled content as long as the emotional beats are universal. Fear, friendship, and the trauma of being a teenager are things everyone understands, whether you're in Busan or Boston.
How to Follow the Cast and What to Watch Next
If you’re going through withdrawal while waiting for Season 2, here is a quick roadmap for your watchlist.
- Check their Instagrams: Most of the cast members, especially Lomon and Cho Yi-hyun, are very active. It’s the best place to see behind-the-scenes crumbs and brand deals that hint at their next moves.
- Watch "Hope or Dope": If you want more of Yoon Chan-young’s intense acting in a school setting, this is the one. It’s much darker and deals with real-world issues like the drug trade.
- Binge "Alchemy of Souls": To see Yoo In-soo (Gwi-nam) play a character you actually want to hug. It’ll heal the trauma from Season 1.
- Keep an eye on Netflix’s "Geeked Week": This is usually where the big Season 2 trailers and cast announcements drop first.
The wait is long, but given how the first season ended, the payoff is likely to be a massive shift in how we think about the zombie genre. The All of Us Are Dead cast isn't just a group of actors anymore; they are the new face of Hallyu 4.0. Keep your eyes peeled for the official production stills, which are rumored to start surfacing later this year. The survival story is far from over.
Stay updated on official Netflix Korean social media accounts for the specific release date, as they often drop "coming soon" teasers exactly one month before the premiere. Based on typical production cycles, late 2025 or early 2026 is the most realistic window for our return to Hyosan. Until then, rewatching Season 1 is the only way to catch all the foreshadowing you definitely missed the first time around. For instance, look closely at the science teacher's notes in the first episode—they explain more than you think about the "hambie" phenomenon.