Good Ol’ Review: Excellent Cast Elevates Exhilarating and Thought-Provoking Season 2 of “Hellbound”

TYPE OF REVIEW : GOOD OL’ REVIEW
Season 1 spoilers. Basic set-up spoilers for season 2.

It’s been a long wait. But I can say it was well-worth it. Season 2 of Netflix’s Hellbound (지옥/Hell) is finally here. And it has no problem picking up right where it left off three years ago. Director Yeon Sang Ho returns (along with writer Choi Gyu Seok) to continue bringing his popular webtoon to vivid life.

Before delving deep back into the Hellbound world, I’ll say right off the bat that it does require a bit of adjustment to immerse yourself back into the story and with the familiar characters. The long wait certainly made sure of that. But again, once you and the series are able to settle (and it does so pretty early on), it’s a non-stop, brisk roller coaster of emotions and thrills once again.

This second season of six episodes offers up answers to some of the most pressing questions of the first. But it definitely poses even more new questions as well. Though at its core, Hellbound is more of a character-driven drama.

And that all plays into the series’ major themes overall. Hellbound focuses on several. But if boiling it down to one basic thread, it is the fallibility of humanity. That is on full display throughout the series. And Hellbound explores how that very basic human flaw can trigger the most devastating chaos or the calmest peace. The series focuses on humanity’s response to inexplicable danger and the tumultuous results.

Once again, an excellent cast elevates the series to soaring heights. And the fast-paced narrative builds up to what is another legitimately thrilling conclusion. Season 3? I would love to see one.

Hellbound requires an emotional investment. But it is one that very much pays dividends in the end and yields a fulfilling experience.

Season One Refresher

Before going on to talk more about season two, let’s have a refresher on season one. (Which I definitely made sure to do before jumping into these new episodes.)

Season 1 welcomes us to a twisted world in which mysterious otherworldly messengers appear to people to prophesize their death before three monstrous beings emerge right on schedule (whether within seconds or decades from that “decree”) to brutally kill that person and burn them alive.

The charismatic Jung Jinsu (originally played by Yoo Ah In) establishes the New Truth church which frames these “Demonstrations” as divine judgment from God onto an increasingly sinful world. Jung’s message is a powerful one that amasses him a devoted following via the church. But a radical and violent offshoot of the New Truth calling themselves The Arrowhead begin to take God’s judgment into their own hands, garnering their own increasingly popular following via social media livestreams.

Detective Jin Kyunghun (Yang Ik June) had been investigating the mysterious deaths which leads him to his own daughter and her involvement with Jung Jinsu in one of those deaths.

Meanwhile, mother Park Jungja (Kim Shin Rok, who won a Baeksang for her performance) has received a decree and agrees to the New Truth’s offer to broadcast her Demonstration live in exchange for financial security for her two children after she dies. After The Arrowhead obtains her family’s information and puts her children in danger, her attorney Min Hyejin (Kim Hyun Joo) and Detective Jin rush to safely whisk them out of the country. Park Jungja’s livestreamed Demonstration ignites chaos in Korean society, driving even more fearful believers toward Jung Jinsu’s doctrine

Unbeknownst to the public, Jung Jinsu had received his decree when he was a child. He created the New Truth to form the narrative that fear of eternal damnation would save the world from sin. All because he believed that his own living a life of goodness would result in his mother returning to him after being abandoned as a child.

Jung Jinsu manipulates Detective Jin’s daughter, Heejung (Lee Re), and uses her to give Jin the choice, thus showing humans still have free will: Film and reveal Jinsu’s Demonstration to the world, further throwing the world into chaos while collapsing the New Truth. Reveal the tape Heejung murdering (with Jinsu’s help) the condemned man who killed her mother, thus justifying Jinsu’s own Demonstration. Or stay silent about the Demonstration and go home to Heejung to live quietly in this new world. Detective Jin chooses the latter.

Meanwhile, after Park Jungja’s Demonstration, attorney Min Hyejin is targeted by the New Truth’s new leader Kim Jeongchil (who initially decides to align with The Arrowhead) after she uncovers the truth of Jung Jinsu’s decree. Fast forward four years later and Hyejin is now part of Sodo, a secret society working to counter the influence of the New Truth and Arrowhead. And also protecting those condemned with a decree from public scrutiny and the violent eyes of New Truth and Arrowhead.

The final episode brings all these points together when Hyejin helps protect a couple and their newborn baby who had been given a decree. A fact that would counter the New Truth’s doctrine in the most direct and visceral way. How could an innocent newborn baby be a sinful human deserving of damnation? The New Truth chases after the baby in order to keep their church from collapse.

In the closing moments of the first season, the parents shield their baby from the approaching demons. But while they both burn to death, as what happens during Demonstrations on the condemned and anyone close enough, the baby is unharmed. Bystanders livestream the stunning event. And even though the baby’s Demonstration did not happen, the New Truth’s hold on society begins to break down. Hyejin whisks the baby to safety.

The final scene of season one sees Park Jungja’s remains suddenly reform into her full body, seemingly resurrected.

Picking Up Where They Left Off

To address the elephant in the room, Jung Jinsu is now being portrayed by Kim Sung Cheol, taking over from Yoo Ah In who (in the three years since the first season) has run into legal troubles.

Season two of Hellbound rightly begins with the resurrection of Jung Jinsu. And it is the perfect way to pick up right where they left off while also reintroducing the character and Kim Sung Cheol now in the role.

The first 15 minutes of the first episode are absolutely enthralling. A big part of that is Kim Sung Cheol’s captivating performance as he takes us along for the ride with Jung Jinsu seemingly being tossed around what he soon perceives as his own hell. From a revisiting of Jung Jinsu’s pre-Demonstration confrontation with Detective Jin to Jinsu having to relive the most painful moments in his life; this 15-minute sequence is just breathtaking and absolutely sets the tone for the rest of this season.

The series doesn’t let up after the first opening credits roll as we jump into another terrifying sequence where we are introduced to Miss Sunshine (Moon Geun Young), a seemingly respected leader within The Arrowhead. To avoid having to spoil too much, let’s just say this sequence informs us of just how crazy the world has become since the miraculous survival of the condemned baby at the end of season one.

These two opening sequences should be a strong enough hook to reel you back in. Season two goes on to chronicle Min Hyejin and the Sodo group ramping up efforts against both The New Truth and The Arrowhead who now find themselves on opposing ends of how to live and extoll Jung Jinsu’s doctrine. The New Truth, under the leadership of corrupt Kim Jeong Chil (Lee Dong Hee), are now convinced to work with the government via Secretary Lee Sugyeong (Moon So Ri) to craft a new narrative to maintain their symbiotic hold on society and prevent The Arrowhead from taking over. The resurrected Park Jungja is key to their plans even as the explanation of her resurrection remains elusive for all involved.

The baby, now a young girl given the name Jaehyeon (Oh Eun Seo), is in the care of Hyejin and Sodo. Hyejin, particularly, forms a strong bond with the little girl who has no clue of her miraculous origin.

As Hyejin and Sodo try to save Park Jungja from the manipulative efforts of The New Truth and the government, Jung Jinsu carefully weaves himself back into the fold with the help of Cheon Sehyeong (Im Sung Jae) who becomes the perfect embodiment of the effects of Jinsu’s doctrine on the everyday peoples.

Like the first season, these season two episodes carefully lay out the pieces which eventually come together in fascinating, exciting and unexpected ways. All the threads seamlessly become intertwined for the thrilling climax in the finale.

Provoking Even More Thought

At its core, Hellbound looks at the human condition, both the good, the bad and the ugly. Once again, touching upon and exploring the many ills of today’s society. And how humans themselves can create a true hell on Earth.

One of them is the continued danger of idolatry. Which in reality, while pretty bad in 2021, is even more pervasive in today’s world of 2024. At one point, Jung Jinsu says, quite ironically, that the world is in this mess because of fanatics. And it is that fanaticism, whether in faith, religion, politics or celebrity, that can bring about the less-than-righteous behaviors in today’s world. Let alone in the chaotic world of Hellbound.

The twisting of that faith and devotion then connect with the familiar Korean drama theme of corruption and exploitation of everyday people. The series shows quite directly how such manipulation is used to maintain and exert power and control over people.

Like in the first season, this second season vividly shows how the actions of mere mortals can be more terrifying and horrific than those of supernatural creatures. But at the same time, perhaps there’s still some greater power at hand dictating the path forward.

Jung Jinsu brings up the idea of free will, which also touches other stories through these six episodes. Most especially, circling back, to his own perception of good and evil. By the end of the season, one of the biggest questions is whether or not free will even exists. And while there’s no clear answer just yet, the idea of divine judgment (and the several shocking revelations of the final episode) might offer a peek at how to face and interpret that question.

And ultimately, how people decide to act and live their lives and how those decisions can decide what kind of world we all live in together. Hell or not.

Undebatable: An excellent cast

No matter your view on the story or its execution, one thing that I don’t think is up for debate is that Hellbound has an excellent cast. And that goes for both seasons.

The cast really acts the hell out of the material. (Pun intended!) There are countless moments in these six episodes where you are compelled to just pause and applaud.

Kim Shin Rok deservedly won a Baeksang for her performance as Park Jungja in season one. And she reminds us why here. She is able to effectively and intriguingly convey the confusion and exhaustion that results from, well, death. And then resurrection.

Kim Hyun Joo as Hyejin and Yang Ik June as Kyunghun served as the moral centers of season one. And they do the same once again here in season two. Kim Hyun Joo particularly takes on an even bigger role as Hyejin truly emerges as one of the few people left in the world with a soul. As she is one to do in the many memorable performances of her career, Kim Hyun Joo delivers regardless of whether she is called to be a badass action star or a comforting mother. And she definitely steps into the spotlight in these episodes as the principled heroine.

Two new additions to this season include Im Sung Jae as Cheon Sehyeong and Moon So Ri as Lee Sugyeong. Both have no problem sliding in to the vivid world of Hellbound, especially when both characters turn out to be very integral to the story.

The news of Moon Geun Young’s casting for this season was big. And she delivers probably the most shocking and awe-inspiring performance in an ensemble that effortlessly delivers throughout these six episodes. We first meet her as the radicalized Miss Sunshine. That sequence in the first episode is just so chilling and unexpected. But later in the season as the series unravels her story more, Moon Geun Young will leave you speechless and heartbroken. I can see her getting some Baeksang attention for her stunning performance here that just simply needs to be experienced to fully appreciate.

And finally, Kim Sung Cheol certainly had big shoes to fill. But he did so with a powerful and captivating performance. Again, the first 15 minutes of the first episode are just absolutely riveting. And it is thanks to Kim Sung Cheol’s performance. That effortless delivery continues through the six episodes.

I think it is important to note that Kim Sung Cheol’s performance is able to respect Yoo Ah In’s portrayal of the character while being able to make it his own as well. Kim Sung Cheol taking over the role does not diminish or erase Yoo Ah In’s excellent performance in season one, whatsoever.

Kim Sung Cheol is a multi-talented actor and performer who has had acclaimed roles, but is still sorely underrated. He proves once again here on Hellbound that he deserves much more attention.

With a character as complex and mysterious as Jung Jinsu, you need someone who can effectively bring him to life. And Kim Sung Cheol commands the screen with a performance that relies on nuance, vulnerability and a quiet authority. And that opening sequence and the character’s climactic scene in the finale are two of the most stunning examples of that.

Overall

Yeon Sang Ho is undoubtedly a creative talent. Once again he is able to blend together discussions of deep and very real world ideas with fantastical spectacle.

Season two seems to feature leveled-up production design to match the already great directing and cinematography. All to help support an intriguing and exciting narrative. And with the cast’s excellent performances to elevate the already strong production.

Hellbound definitely requires an emotional investment. One that should be easy to make and one that will yield satisfying and exciting results. Season two of Hellbound effectively draws upon the solid foundation of the first. Bringing together the many pieces that have been laid over the course of now 12 episodes to present an even more concise and perhaps clearer and more accessible experience this time around.

The three-year wait was difficult. But for anyone who hopped on the ride for the first season should be treated to another wild, exciting and fulfilling ride once again.