Hellbound

A Victim of Squid Game's Success

It's important to remember that there is a difference between bad dramas and dramas not meant for your taste. In my opinion, HB is NOT a bad drama.

The themes of the show are clear and easy to understand, yet open for multiple interpretations. The action scenes are directed extremely well. The music never seems too out of place. Despite being only 6 episodes long, at no point did I feel like the story was overloaded or rushed.

On paper, not much happens but it is still entertaining in other ways. Thinking about how HB applies to the real world and what you would do if you were any of the characters on screen was a really eye-opening experience for me.

I must admit that episode 5 and the first half of episode 6 were painfully boring to sit through though. However, the final fight scene makes up for this.

I say HB is a victim of Squid Game's success because if HB was released first, I have a feeling that it would be receiving more positive reviews right now. Yes, HB is not as stimulating as Squid Game since it focuses on broader themes and a smaller pot of characters.

I urge everyone to be fair with their criticisms of this show.

Even so, HB is not perfect.

A few things that bothered me included:

A. WHERE IS THE PRESIDENT IN ALL OF THIS?: Okay, a trio of supernatural creatures condemn people to Hell in public. After the first public demonstration, this should be a nation-wide emergency. So, where is the president in all of this? And how are peoples' brutal deaths allowed to be livestreamed on TV? Last time I checked, your tattoos could not be seen on television in South Korea. I seriously doubt actual death is an exception.

B. WAS YOUNGJAE BORN YESTERDAY?: There's a random 4-year time skip, and the New Truth is practically a stand-in for the government now. There are museums dedicated to the sinners who agreed to be a part of public demonstrations. At this point, everyone and their dead grandpa knows how powerful the New Truth is and the existence of these monsters. So, tell me why Jae is so shocked when his friend gets condemned to Hell right in front of him. He acts like he has no clue what his friend is talking about when his time is almost up.

C. THIS HOSPITAL IS SO RUDE!: Lawyer Min has a mother in her late 60's suffering from cancer. When her already near-death mother is struck on the head with a metal bat and rushed to the hospital, tell me why healthcare officials threw her on a bed and called it a day. She wasn't rushed to the emergency room. She, despite being in an extremely critical condition, is not given someone to supervise her state. Mind you, the hospital was not busy at all. Poor Min had to be the first person to discover that her mother died. I was in disbelief.

Keep these in the back of your mind, and you'll be able to enjoy HB.

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I think some people are watching just to see how bad it really is after reading the reviews and making their own assumption about the film, which by all means, you have the right to. I came in with the same thought but intended to see it through the end. I know a lot of people aren't interested in the drama mainly because they held such a high bar that wasn't reached but I know there are a lot of films out there that didn't make a whole lot of sense until they were released a second part, answering the questions we had and some others we didn't even know we were thinking of. I say we give the drama a chance even though it is ultimately up to the writers, actors, and directors if they want to continue the drama or not.

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Better As It Goes

So I got here cause the name and I gotta say, it was an interesting ride. Ok in the beginning I was a little confused about how people could possibly manipulate/control the will of a GOD but then I remembered... we're humans, and there's no doubt in my mind if something like this began to happen (which I'm surprised something like this hasn't happened yet) that it would definitely go something like this. Where everyone just follows like sheep and puts the blame on everyone else (like how we do now). Anyway, the more things started coming together I started to enjoy it more. There's a few parts that are intense but nothing too serious. As a parent I got kinda angry toward the end but if you step back and keep an open mind, you'll see something's came to a good/satisfying end.
That ending had S2 vibes and I'm ready af for it
Enjoy...

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It had potential

We were introduced to a policeman, Jin Kyeong-hoon, as the team leader was updating them on a new cult, New Truth. I was rooting for him to defeat the cult and whatever monsters that had been shredding and burning people. Amidst the chaos, a vigilante group called The Arrowhead appeared and decided to take matters into their own hands.

Basically, the monsters, according to New Truth, were Angels sent by God to punish the sinful one. And The Arrowheads job was to expose their sin and also punish anyone that was in the Angels way.

Jin Kyeong-hoon team up with Min Hye-jin to help a family when a single-mother got a message that she will be next to die.

Episode 4 continues 5 years later as Bae Young-jae became the next main character. I lost interest here because I was invested with Jin Kyeong-hoon. But, I wanted to know the conclusion of the series.

The New Truth had a new leader who gained profit by broadcasting live the moment the Angels punish someone. Another group emerged to help anyone who got the death message to avoid the live broadcast. The New Truth decided to team up with The Arrowhead to track this group and eliminate them.

The ending foreshadowed a 2nd season. I don't have any theory to share to avoid touching on sensitive topic. I mean each religion have their own believe. What do the atheist and Scientologist think about it? I love to know their opinion.

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What is up with the ending?

That was an okay movie.

The acting and visual effects wasn't too bad. The story was meh, I understand the concept of sinners being judged and sent to hell. The story made sense at first, but it took a dive from the middle to the end for me.

Yoo Ah-in ending up murdering some people and getting sent to hell himself. There's a new founder of the New Truth who seems to have taken advantage of the whole situation. You have a group called Arrowhead that goes around and beat up people.

Basically, the New Truth feels very cult-like.

Also my reaction to that ending ↓
What? Someone explain that ending?!?! I am so confuseeee. So, baby survived because of the parents sacrifice (my understanding), but, then what is up with that ending? Was it just a cliffhanger?

Also, did it change cast in the middle?

I mean what????

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They Don't die because they are sinners

The drama started with some serious murder by the monster or we can call them angel from the hell...that really made me feel nauseous,.,,, *lots of blood* as the story progresses it was intriguing and had many jaw dropped scenes and also made me think is it even possible in real life???.... the connection between the characters was beautiful, though there were loop holes in the story and many things that were unexplained and left to viewers judgement, it was good. the CGI was perrrfect!!! and storyline was good. The acting was superb and intense. This season was not draggy and boring. I liked the last scene very much .... they don't die.... so are the all alive... are they born with super-natural power, or are the ghosts... lets wait for next season...there was no moment when I thought of dropping this series. IT'S A MUST WATCH GUYS!!!!

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It just doesn't let up from the start.

I'm still relatively new to Korean horror. I started a few years ago with "Kingdom" on Netflix and I really enjoyed that. Inspired by that experience I jumped on that infamous "Train to Busan" and, more recently, "All of Us Are Dead". Somewhere along the way I also managed to catch "The Host" and "The Uncanny Counter" (although not strictly horror, there are definitely supernatural elements at play in "Uncanny Counter"). So, what would happen if you were to take those supernatural elements, throw it in with the visceral horror of "Busan/"All of Us"/"Kingdom" add a huge dash of End of Days/Revelations prophecies, bring all of that into the here and now - mix it all up and here you have it: - "Hellbound"!

The story starts out simple enough - an Angel comes to visit and tells you exactly when you're going to die. At the appointed time three demons come and drag you to hell. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. Easy enough, right? Not so fast. They start in the middle of the story without warning and, in the first five minutes, you are dragged into the streets of Seoul were you become a part of the action. I can so clearly remember looking around trying to find a way out of the horror, but - nothing.

Now, when I watched it, that was about all I knew of the plot, so I will spare you the pot synopsis because, like "The Uncanny Counter", I sometimes find it better to be not too certain what you've gotten yourself into. So, just get on and enjoy the ride. Well rounded, multidimensional characters abound, tight plotting and decent CGI. I'm very glad I gave this one a chance. The closest I will give to a spoiler is to say that Episode 4 throws in one of the greatest WTF moments in the history of ever, and it isn't the only ginormous reveal in the series. Seriously, if the horror genre is your thing - psychological horror especially - give this one a try. I think you'll have a good (?) time.

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Humans being typically, mindlessly violent

There were not many surprises for me, in this violent and unsettling horror drama.
It is the usual portrayal of people manipulating events, putting a divine angle on them and then basically running their part of the world, as they see fit, under the guise of it being in the name of their God.
It happens for real, of course, minus the supernatural element we have here.
Hypocrisy overflows like Niagra, with the scum and thugs of society using the punishment of sinners as an excuse to gleefully maim and murder. "Where is their punishment?" I ranted!
Yoo Ah-in's character is suitably dark and creepy. He rarely over-plays his characters and this was no exception.
There is a time jump part way through, with new characters. I wondered what happened to some and there is one in particular whose identity I'm not sure I understood correctly.
Some people are truly disgusting in this and there are the usual onlookers, making no effort to protect or assist the most vulnerable and outnumbered, against mere mortals.
As with several relatively recent Netflix series (Sweet Home and The Uncanny Counter particularly spring to mind), I just hope they make a S2 with a cast that flows, otherwise the ending is less than satisfactory, with more questions than answers.
A good cast and plenty to shout at your TV about.

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A good offering in this genre if you are okay with cliffhanger endings

7.5/10 os my rating. This is a 2021 South Korean dark fantasy, horror series with 6, 42 to 60 minute episodes. It is based on a webtoon of the same title.

First I provide a unique synopsis then review

Synopsis

The main part of the story is set in the years 2022–27 in South Korea. During this timeframe, people start to see am ethereal face, purported to be an angel that prophesies the exact date and time of the person’s untimely death. The individual is targeted for a very violent end where these large demonic looking minsters carry out what is tantamount to a public execution. They end their demonstration by incinerating the targeted individual, who is then sent to be further tormented in hell. A cult leader, Jeong Jin soo (Yoo Ah in), warns his followers and the public at large that these demonstrations are intended to show people the err of their spiritual ways. Dubious of the credibility of these incidents and convinced something far more human based and sinister is going on. A detective, Jin Kyeong hoon (Yang Ik june) and an attorney who is a warrior for victims Min Hye jin Kim Hyun joo) team up to determine what is really going on. Turns out a religious cult, the New Truth and another organization called The Arrowhead group fan the flames to instill the fear of God and mete out their own form of moral justice.

Review

Overall it is a very good horror series with strong mystery and fantasy elements. If you realize, they are already planning another season then the ending, which ends with a lot of questions, will not be as disappointing. It is a gorefest. And characters you may like may not survive. So if you are prepared for those things you will likely enjoy the short series. I wanted some more insight so looked for the webtoon.  The live action version follows the webtoon precisely so there is little additional information to derive from reading the webtoon. If you like supernatural and horror content this is a good one in those genre. It is a good one to watch with those who are looking for something that has little to no romantic component and prefer more action based dramas. I would rewatch it if someone had it on simply because there are a lot of complex plot elements that you may pick up on after having watched it once.

 

Spoilers

 

They allude to the fact that the “angel’ and creatures were identified as such by “The New Truth” and there was never a deep dive into what they might be by anyone else. As it becomes apparent that the targets are not always sinners, or at least not sinners we as viewers can identify, the entire God’s punishment angel begins to fall apart. And it leaves you wondering why and how the targets are selected. If “The New Truth” believes it is God’s will why do they call on Arrowhead to go after those they identify as sinners.  Who is Arrowhead and how did “The New Truth” find a band of psychopaths that are so ready to mete out punishment in the form of brutal beatings up to death.

 

How did the baby live? The target of the incineration is always the subject and the white light glowed from between the parents so it would have originated at the baby. How did the beings “miss” burning the baby? Then, when the baby survived, they left without accomplishing their intent. How does that work? Do they just leave the target alone if they are able to survive a period of time after the date?

 

If those that have been incinerated are brought back, why were they incinerated in the first place? Do they come back fully as their former selves?

I read that it was approved for another season but it seems if that is the plan there are huge delays. As time passes it becomes less likely they will carry through with a second season but I will remain alert for another season, If you are not okay with a cliff hanger that may never be resolved with additional content, you might bypass this one or wait for when and if there is a second season.

#Hellbound

#UhmHingSik

#YooAhIn

#KimHyunJoo

#ParkJeongMin

#WonJinAh

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An excellent and thought-provoking exploration of society

Honestly, I find the ratings on this site to be insanely skewed in one direction or the other, so when I first heard of this show, I wasn't super interesting. The cgi was a little on the ugly side, and I'm generally suspicious of any bias when it comes to religious media, but this drama truly deserves your time and attention.

If god was proven real tomorrow, what would you do? The drama throws us right into the beginning of the end, and what follows is a two part drama detailing society's response from the perspective of ordinary people who suddenly have to deal with their world as they know it, crashing down around them. This is arguably one of the best things about the show, that they're able to portray an array of small, personal stories that intersect with each other, and the grander story at whole.

Personally, the real standouts of the show are Kim Hyun-joo and Yoo Ah-in, however the cast as whole does a very good job. The former plays a dual role of the badass you want to support and the more quietly moving hook that anchors you in emotionally with her empathy for others. The latter plays a modest and humble religious man who clearly has more going on under the charming surface. He balances the multifaceted role of a new religious leader (red: cult leader) extremely well, and may be my favourite from the whole cast.

Understandably this isn't a show for everyone. It's bleak, darm and certainly grim, but also has a lot to say about religions, cults, empathy and how the general public can turn on a dime against anyone who they perceive to be a morally bad person. Rarely do people think to give nuance or context to delicate situations they aren't a part of, and mob mentality is enticing in its own right. Add in the supernatural becoming natural, and all level thought goes out the window as people scramble to find meaning and direction for themselves.

Overall a great drama, I would personally advise you watch it in two parts, at 3 episodes each, as they are two different situations connected by one timeline.

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