Binge-worthy: Strong performances elevate creepy dystopia of Hellbound 2

Hellbound 2

Netflix
★★★★☆

In its first season in 2021, Netflix K-drama Hellbound – set in a world thrown into chaos when monstrous beings appear to drag people to hell via brutal beatings and burnings known as “demonstrations” – was less concerned with unpacking why such a phenomenon was happening than with examining the human response to it.

Three years on, the supernatural fantasy series’ sophomore season is finally here. It picks up about four years after the end of the first season, which teased the resurrection of ordinary mother-of-two Park Jung-ja (Kim Shin-rok), who was publicly dragged to hell, sending the nation into disarray and religious fanaticism.

Hellbound is still largely unconcerned with answering questions about its premise and chooses instead to focus on how Jung-ja is pulled in different directions, as various factions attempt to use her to shape propaganda in their favour.

Here are three reasons to tune in.

1. Unsettling dystopia

In Season 1, the show was still set in a largely functional and ordinary society. The phenomenon of “demonstrations” was still new, and not believed by everyone. But the second season presents a full-fledged dystopia.

The New Truth, originally a niche cult which gains followers by preaching that only sinners get sentenced to hell, is a mainstream religion with money and power.

In opposition are a growing number of Arrowheads, lawless religious zealots who inflict violence on those who disagree with them and commit mass suicides by willingly participating in “demonstrations”, in the hope that God will grant them redemption.

The Arrowheads paint their faces in bright colours, wear extravagant clothing and sport hairstyles reminiscent of American shock rock band Kiss.

The scenes of Arrowheads gathering for public rallies and racing to hurl themselves on those sentenced to hell, so they can die being incinerated by the monsters, are particularly unsettling. This over-the-top behaviour is an effective portrait of society in shambles.

2. A villain’s journey

One of the concerns going into Season 2 is the character of Jung Jin-su, the cult leader who founded The New Truth. Jin-su died in secrecy in Season 1, after he was dragged to hell, but is resurrected.

Originally played by Yoo Ah-in, the role was recast with Kim Sung-cheol after Yoo’s real-life drug abuse scandal. Whatever troubles plague Yoo’s personal life, he is a strong actor, and Kim never quite plumbs the same depths of creepiness and anger as his predecessor.

Still, Jin-su’s arc is a compelling one. His time in hell involved some of his most painful memories, like his mother’s abandonment and his father’s abuse.

Even after coming back to life, he is haunted by the monsters, which only he can see. While still unscrupulous and manipulative, the condescending swagger of Jin-su cracks in Season 2. He lives in fear of his visions, and desperately seeks out Jung-ja, hoping that she will validate the version of hell he sees.

The character of Jin-su is richly layered and complex, and makes him a tragic villain who is unlikeable, but sympathetic nonetheless.

3. Standout performances

The ensemble cast, much like its first season, is excellent yet again, with newcomers putting in some of the series’ strongest performances.

As government official Lee Su-gyeong, Moon So-ri nails her portrayal of a wily politician who engineers a plan to make Jung-ja a messianic figure. In almost all her scenes, Su-gyeong wears a smile on her face. It does not connote a warm disposition, but rather the condescending mien of someone in power, who believes herself to be smarter than everyone else.

Im Seong-jae and Moon Geun-young also elevate Hellbound 2 as a couple whose lives are destroyed when wife Ji-won (Moon) becomes a religious fanatic. While she dons the excessive make-up and dress of an Arrowhead follower, it is Im’s quiet portrayal of the anguished husband that breaks hearts.