Hellbound Season 2 was released on Netflix on October 25th. I wasn’t able to watch it right away, but I finally finished all 6 episodes a few days ago. Considering the popularity of Hellbound Season 1, I expected to see articles about Season 2 all over the media after its release… but that didn’t happen. It seems like it failed to capture the same level of popularity as Season 1.
Before writing this review of Hellbound Season 2, I revisited my review of Season 1, which I wrote 3 years ago. Back then, I thought it would be an entertaining SF drama with monsters based on the trailer, but I realized it was something completely different.
Similarly, in Hellbound Season 2, the monsters that appear and wreak havoc are just a backdrop; it’s not really an SF drama. It’s a drama about the social phenomena that unfold after people receive decrees condemning them to hell.
However, the fact that the characters who left a strong impression on me in Season 1 didn’t play major roles in Season 2 is probably the biggest reason why I found it less engaging.
The central story of Hellbound Season 2 revolves around the struggle between religious groups that emerged due to the inexplicable phenomenon of decrees and demonstrations, political groups trying to manipulate them, and groups that want to return to normalcy.
On the other hand, it can also be seen as a fight between those who want to maintain their newfound power, those who want to control or seize it, and those who want to eliminate it altogether.
In particular, Season 2 begins with the story of a child who didn’t receive a demonstration despite being given a decree because his parents sacrificed themselves, and the resurrection of Park Jung-ja, who had already died from a demonstration. This was a direct continuation of the events at the end of Season 1.
I had been waiting for Season 2, hoping it would explain why these things happened… but unfortunately, it doesn’t provide any answers.
The characters that stood out to me in Season 2 were probably Cheon Se-hyeong and Oh Ji-won. The actors who played these roles were good, but I think the characters themselves were more compelling.
It felt a bit jarring that there were people living normal lives in a society where decrees were issued and monsters were running rampant for demonstrations, but these two characters somewhat resolved that dissonance.
Hellbound Season 2 Review
Personally, I didn’t find it entertaining. Thankfully, it ended with just 6 episodes. If it had been 12 episodes long, I don’t think I could have finished it. It felt scattered, and the actions of each group didn’t resonate with me.
The questions raised at the end of Season 1 remain unanswered, and Season 2 doesn’t really have a conclusive ending either. It’s hard to look forward to Season 3, even if it were to be produced. I doubt it would kindly address our questions.
However, one thing that comes to mind is that the worldview of the drama “Hellbound” seems to be somewhat established now. Utilizing this worldview, there’s potential for expansion. It could be adapted into an animation or short stories… If it were produced in this way, I think this worldview could be sustained.