We Are All Dead (Hyosan High School)

There are several people in the scene, not just one.

The first signs: body temperature drops noticeably, nosebleeds begin, the sclera (whites of the eyes) turn red, and the veins dilate.
Next, the virus begins to destroy organs, including stopping the heart.
It then acts on the brain stem, “reprogramming” the victim: the person loses the remnants of reason, is overcome by animal aggression, and turns into a zombie.
Another marker: before a complete transformation, the infected may begin to experience rigor mortis—the body twitches uncontrollably and stiffens.
There's also a special category—halfbreeds. Some infected don't transform into classic zombies, but retain some rudimentary intelligence, while gaining superhuman strength, accelerated healing, and the ability to remain undetected by other infected. The reason for this isn't entirely clear, but some theories suggest it's related to a person's motivation at the time of infection or to individual DNA characteristics.

How the virus spreads
The primary route of transmission is direct blood contact. This is most often through bites. However, another scenario is possible: if a person wipes the blood of an infected person (for example, from an object) and then touches their own fresh wound, the virus can also be transmitted.

How the outbreak started:

One of the students, Kim Hyun-ju, stayed late after school. She went to the zoological corner and tried to pet a lab hamster, which was already infected. The hamster bit her.
Hyun Joo returned to class and was later taken to the school nurse. There, she bit the nurse as well.
The nurse, in turn, attacked several students. This caused panic, a stampede in the cafeteria, and the rapid spread of infection throughout the school.
The virus later spread beyond the campus: parents who came to pick up their children also became infected. The epidemic eventually spread throughout the city.
Over time, the virus mutated. For example, some infected individuals developed resistance to certain treatments, and their ability to transmit the infection became more diverse.

How the virus appeared
The virus was created by Lee Byung-chan, a biology teacher (and a researcher by training). His son, Lee Jin-soo, was being cruelly bullied by his classmates, and the school administration ignored his complaints. Desperate, Lee decided to develop a way to eliminate his son's sense of fear so he could fight back.

He began experiments by isolating hormones from mice (including a lab hamster). He dubbed the result the "Jonas virus"—after the German philosopher Hans Jonas, who wrote about Gnosticism and bioethics. Lee first tested the substance on animals and then injected it into his son. But the experiment didn't go as planned: the virus didn't just remove fear—it deprived Jin-soo of his human intellect, incited a frenzied rage, and ultimately turned him into a zombie.

Hyosan School
This high school in Hyesan, South Korea, becomes the epicenter of a zombie outbreak. The school is home to a diverse group of students—from high achievers to bullies and delinquents. Amidst the usual school problems, disaster unfolds.

Oh Joon Young
Appearance: Short dark brown hair cut in a bowl cut. He wore black-framed glasses, the standard Hyosan High School men's uniform, and white Pro-spec sneakers with gold laces. After the bite, his face turned pink, and his clothes were torn.
History: A diligent, intelligent, and calm student. Initially, he wasn't the bravest in the group, but he made up for it with his intelligence and strategic thinking.
Personality: Selfless. After he was bitten, he consciously sacrificed himself: he jumped out of the barricade to distract the zombies and give his friends time to escape.

Park Mi Jin
Appearance: Short dark brown hair. She wore the Hyosan School uniform, but with practical substitutions: dark green trousers instead of a skirt, a vest instead of a cardigan, and no bow. At the quarantine camp, she tied part of her hair into a bun and wore a dark blue Adidas jacket.
History: Before the outbreak, she was quite stern and cold, but still showed concern for her comrades.
Personality: Obsessed with going to college—a goal she maintained even in the most difficult circumstances. She's also capable of selfless acts: she tried to save Jun-young when he was bitten.
Relationships: Became friends with Jang Ha-ri.

Han Kyungsoo
Appearance: Black hair (which became disheveled after the outbreak). He wore the standard Hyosan High School uniform, a gray hoodie over a vest in the first episode, and red sneakers. When he became a zombie, he bled from his ears and left nostril, and his eyes were bloodshot.
History: He was a supportive friend with a strong sense of humor. He tried to become a part-time delivery man at Cheon-san's family restaurant.
Character: generally friendly, but in a panic he could commit rash acts.
Relationships: He was accused of being infected by Lee Na-young (she wiped away the zombie's blood with a handkerchief and applied it to his wound), which led to conflict within the group. He eventually became infected and became a zombie, later dying during a bombing.

Chan Hari
Appearance: athletic, with hair pulled back.
History: Captain of the school archery team. Before the virus outbreak, she failed to qualify for the regional competition, which left her deeply upset. During the apocalypse, she returned to school to look for her younger brother, Jang Woo-jin.
Personality: Determined and focused. Her marksmanship skills became a huge asset to the group—she could take down zombies from a distance. At the same time, she deeply cared for her brother.
Relationships: She is very attached to her brother Woojin. Later, she develops a crush on Yang Daesu.

Kim Jimin.
Personality: Emotional and empathetic—she often cried when losing friends. She was also quite timid and sometimes showed a short temper (especially when interacting with Desu). In critical situations, she tried to support others, although she wasn't always prepared to take action.
Relationship: Close friendship with Kim Jimin.
Kim Jimin
Appearance: Long black hair pulled back into a high ponytail with bangs, brown eyes, pale skin. She wore the Hyosan School uniform, but instead of a skirt, she wore dark green trousers and a dark green sweater vest instead of a cardigan.
Story: A sociable and outspoken girl who placed great importance on justice. She fell into a deep depression after learning of her parents' death.
Personality: Generally optimistic, but prone to emotional breakdowns. She helped fortify barricades, built a makeshift ladder from a fire hose, and sent out a distress signal from the roof.
Relationships: She was friends with other classmates, such as Lee Na-young (though their relationship was complicated). She eventually panicked while fighting off zombies, leaving her vulnerable—she was bitten and turned into a zombie.

Appearance
Jung Min-jae is a typical high school student: slim, not particularly tall, he looks like an average guy from Hyesan High School, without any particularly striking features. He has a simple hairstyle, typical of Korean teenagers, and wears a standard school uniform. As the series progresses, the clothes become tattered and dirty, due to the chaos and constant escapes from zombies.

Character
Min Jae is calm, yet decisive in times of crisis. He's not a natural leader, but he can pull himself together when others need his help. He's quite responsible: he tries not to let down those he works with and never abandons people in trouble. However, he's not a fearless superhero—sometimes he's afraid, he doubts, he worries, and that's what makes him realistic: he overcomes fear, rather than not feeling it.

He also cares for his loved ones: he tries to protect those who are weaker and support his comrades, even if he himself is very scared.

History in the series
Min Jae, a student at Hyosan High School, finds himself at the epicenter of a virus outbreak. When the school becomes a dangerous place, he remains alert and finds a way to make himself useful: he masters the art of bow and arrow, a skill that becomes crucial to the group of survivors.

He sticks close to Hari and his other classmates, helping them survive, covering for them, finding safe routes, and participating in the shelter's defense. His archery skills have repeatedly saved the team in tense situations.

Attitude towards other characters
To Hari: they have a trusting, friendly relationship. He tries to protect and support her, treating her carefully, but without unnecessary drama—like a close friend you care about.
To the rest of his classmates: Min Jae tries to be even-tempered with everyone, doesn't get into conflicts, and is willing to help when needed. In stressful situations, he becomes a support system for those who are panicking and tries to maintain calm in the group.
In general: he is one of those who does not seek conflicts, but also does not allow himself to be offended, however, he is reliable.

Seo Hyo-ryun
Appearance: Slightly plump (meaning her cheeks, but she's slender), with a short bob haircut with bangs, pale skin, and dark eyes. She wore a school uniform, sometimes accessorizing with a pink sleeveless sweater, sweatpants under a skirt, and Saucony sneakers.
History: One of the less noticeable students in the class, Jimin's best friend.

Yan Desu
Appearance: Slightly overweight, with black hair. He wore a school uniform, but with sweatpants instead of trousers and black rubber shoes. At the quarantine camp, he wore a multi-colored jacket and a baseball cap.
History: He was in the school choir and dreamed of becoming a famous singer. During the apocalypse, he initially displayed childish behavior, but as the story progressed, he became increasingly responsible.
Personality: Primarily the group's comic relief: he joked, sang, and created awkward but daunting moments. However, when his friends' lives were in danger, he was always ready to help. He had a soft spot for Jang Hari.
Relationships: Friendship with Cheon-san and other classmates. Romantic interest in Jang Hari.

Choi Namra
Appearance: Usually reserved, at the beginning of the series she often wore headphones, which emphasized her introversion.
History: Class president for classes 2-5, a diligent student from a wealthy family. Before the apocalypse, she seemed cold and distant, rarely interacting with her classmates. After being bitten by Yun Gwinam, she became a "hamby"—she retained her intelligence but gained heightened hearing and a painful struggle with her instinct to hunt humans.
Personality: Initially reserved and serious. In times of crisis, she reveals herself: she displays logic, courage, and self-sacrifice. At some point, realizing that her growing instincts could harm her friends, she consciously separates from the group to protect them. Later, some time after the main events, she finds other similar "Hambies" and befriends them.
Relationships: Complicated and distant at first. Gradually, she grows closer to Lee Soo-hyuk, and a deep connection develops between them.

Lee Soo-hyuk
Appearance: Tall, fit, with short black hair and dark eyes. He wore white Converse sneakers without socks (earning him the nickname "Barefoot Soo-hyuk").
History: A former bully who eventually reformed. He was popular at school but regretted his past actions. Before the apocalypse, he had a crush on Onjo, which created a love triangle with Cheon-san.
Personality: Sociable and charismatic. He became the group's main physical force: his athleticism and combat training helped him fend off zombies. His loyalty was especially evident: when Choi Namra began to transform into a "half-zombie" (hambi) after being bitten, Soo-hyuk tried his best to help her maintain her humanity and avoid harming her friends.
Relationships: Friendship with Cheon-san and Onjo. Romantic interest in Choi Nam-ra.

Nam Onjo
Appearance: Dark shoulder-length hair, usually pulled back into a low ponytail, dark eyes, slender figure.
Story: The daughter of a firefighter, Lee Cheon-sang's childhood friend. Before the apocalypse, she dreamed of making her father proud, was a good student, and was friends with Yoon Iseok. During the outbreak, she used the survival skills taught to her by her father (a firefighter) to help the group. She survived the loss of her best friends (Iseok, and later Cheon-sang, who was presumed dead).
Personality: Initially, she's cheerful and a bit vulnerable. In a crisis, she reveals herself as mature, courageous, and resourceful. She becomes the voice of hope and reason in the group, often proposing strategic solutions. However, she sometimes prioritizes her feelings for Lee Soo-hyuk over her friendship with Chun-sang.
Relationships: Childhood best friend with Cheon-san (they also have romantic undertones). Close friends with Iseok. Had a crush on Lee Soo-hyuk.

Lee Chun-sang
Appearance: thin but athletic build, short black hair (to the eyebrows), dark eyes, a dimple on the right cheek.
History: Onjo's best friend since childhood. Before the apocalypse, he was an ordinary high school student, worried about grades, parents, and friendships. During the outbreak, he demonstrated incredible courage and resourcefulness, often taking risks to save others. He was bitten, but resisted the transformation longer than the others. His fate remains ambiguous in the finale: after the school bombing, his body was never found, and many characters presumed him dead, though fans theorize about a "half-zombie."
Personality: Brave to the point of recklessness, yet deep down, a frightened teenager. Very loyal to friends, willing to sacrifice himself. Compensates for his lack of physical strength with agility, endurance, and resourcefulness.
Relationships: Close friendship with Onjo and Lee Soo-hyuk. Main antagonist: Yoon Gwinam.

Appearance: Short dark brown hair, wears the standard Hyosan High School boys' uniform. He doesn't stand out with any flashy details—he's an ordinary high school student, and amid the panic and chaos, he simply looks tired and tense.
History: Joon-young is the typical "reliable guy in the class": not a leader, but not a panicker either. During the apocalypse, he tries to stick together with the group, helps reinforce barricades, and helps navigate the school when it's time to find a safe route. He doesn't perform any spectacular feats, but these are the kind of guys who hold the group together when everyone else is ready to fall apart.
Personality: Calm, diligent, tries not to argue over trivial matters. He doesn't lose his cool in critical moments: if he's told to "hold this door" or "go with them," he does so clearly. He's a bit quiet, but can offer support when needed.
Relationships: He's friends with Yang Dae Soo and a few other classmates; there's no drama between him and Dae Soo, just a typical strong school friendship where one can joke around and the other can easily play along. During tough times, they stick together and have each other's backs.

Yun Gwinam
Appearance: A black, shoulder-length cascade haircut, dark brown eyes, and a tall build. He wore a Hyosan High School shirt over a black T-shirt and dark green pants, along with red sneakers. After becoming infected, holes appeared in his clothes from wounds.
History: Before the apocalypse, he was one of the school's biggest bullies, often bullying his classmates (like Lee Jin-soo and Min Eun-ji). During the virus outbreak, he was bitten and transformed into a human-zombie hybrid ("halfbie").
Personality: Cruel, selfish, and prone to sadism. In a crisis, his nature was revealed fully: he was capable of betraying even former comrades. He also developed a strange attachment to Lee Soo Hyuk—he first saved him, but then tried to kill him when he refused to hand over Chun-san.
Relationships: He clashed with Lee Cheon-sang (in one scene, Cheon-sang gouged out his eye with a phone). His ultimate fate is ambiguous: many believe he died during the school bombing, but his final fate is not formally depicted definitively in the series.

Lee Nayeon
Appearance. Nayeon has pale skin and red hair, which she wears loose with bangs. She is of average height. At school, she stands out for her style: she wears the standard school uniform, but over it, she wears a pale pink cardigan with multicolored buttons (orange, purple, yellow, blue, and green), pink Adidas Sambarose sneakers, and a dark red headband. After turning into a zombie, her hair also becomes disheveled, her face becomes covered in blood, and a distinctive "pepper" pattern appears in her eyes. The cardigan gets dirty, and a large hole appears in it (likely from Gwinam grabbing it or it getting caught on something).

Attitude towards others. Initially, Nayeon is aloof and arrogant. She looks down on some of her classmates—for example, she mocks Kyungsoo for coming from a poor family and receiving welfare. Within the survivor group, she often displays selfishness: she puts her own survival above the interests of others, easily blaming others, and is unwilling to take responsibility. However, beneath this outward arrogance lies insecurity and a sense of isolation.

Personality. Nayeon can be described as stubborn, hot-tempered, and initially quite selfish. Under stress, her mental state quickly deteriorates. A key moment occurs when she deliberately infects Kyungsoo (by wiping his wound with a handkerchief soaked in her already infected blood) to prove that he, too, has become a zombie and thereby shift the blame onto him. Later, she is overcome with profound guilt: she hallucinates that the zombie is Kyungsoo, and tries to make amends by gathering food for the group. However, her attempt at atonement is cut short when she is found and bitten by Yoon Gwinam.

Yoon Isok
Appearance. Isok has dark brown hair, which she usually wears in a bun. However, during the chaos of escaping from class, the bun comes undone, and her hair falls into a high ponytail. When she transforms into a zombie, her appearance changes: her hair becomes disheveled, blood runs down her face from her nose, the skin on the left side of her face and forehead wrinkles, and her eyes become bloodshot.

Relationship with others. Isok is a close friend of Nam Oncho. They share a very strong bond: Isok constantly supports her friend, sometimes teasing her in a good-natured manner. At a critical moment, when Isok realizes she's infected, she denies it, assuring Oncho that she's fine and asking if she's become "one of them"—this demonstrates the depth of their trust.

Personality. Isok is generally cheerful and compassionate. She's considerate of others and willing to help. However, her encounter with the virus and the realization of her infection break her: she falls into denial, and by the end, having already turned into a zombie, she expresses despair and tries to reach out to her friend.