What Is ‘Hellbound’? Everything You Need To Know About the Netflix Series

In the Netflix series Hellbound, giant demons terrorize Seoul to torture and kill individuals, and then carry them to hell. The sociological turmoil that ensues is even more intriguing. 

These demonic incidents prompt public hysteria and religious fanaticism in the show’s universe. People claiming to have insights into what is causing these attacks are looked upon like messiahs, while conspiracy theories run amok, fostering more confusion, fear, and paranoia than the demonic attacks alone.

The dark dystopian death fest quickly rose to the top of Netflix’s non-English rankings worldwide, prompting comparisons to Squid Game, another violent South Korean drama that made a killing on the platform. Hellbound reportedly topped ratings in over 80 countries within 24 hours of premiering. 

Here’s everything you need to know about the new hit show.

In Hellbound, otherworldly beings appear out of nowhere and condemn individuals to hell, spurring chaotic events that turn the world itself into a living hell. A new religious group tries to take advantage of the mayhem, while other citizens try to uncover the truth behind the supernatural occurrences.

The show’s literal overnight success comes as no surprise, as it was directed by Yeon Sang-ho, who directed another global phenomenon, Train to Busan.

In the six-episode Netflix series, which gained critical acclaim in screenings at the Toronto International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, and Busan International Film Festival, Yeon forces his audience to ponder topics like life and death, good and evil, crime and punishment, and justice. 

The Netflix show is based on a webtoon, which Yeon also co-wrote, and shares much of the same plot.

Other popular K-dramas that were adapted from webtoons include Sweet Home, Itaewon Class, Nevertheless, and Love Alarm.

Balancing the eerie premise and terrorizing deaths is a familiar cast of South Korean actors.

The series stars Yoo Ah-in, who viewers might recognize from the films Veteran and Burning, among other things. In Hellbound, he plays cult leader Jeong Jin-soo. He’s joined by Kim Hyun-joo (I Have A Lover), Park Jeong-min (Time to Hunt), Won Jin-ah (Rain or Shine), and Yang Ik-june (Breathless).

Hellbound already has fans asking if they’ll get a second season.

In an interview with Variety Yeon said that he and his partner Choi Kyu-seok would like to expand the Hellbound story through a webtoon first, before discussing possibilities for the show’s second season.

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