❝Upholding righteousness and justice in fear of damnation. Is that truly righteous and just?❞
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰
Another great KDrama from Netflix that proves they should make more horror/thriller dramas than romance ones. With Yeon Sangho at the helm, Hellbound is almost perfect and a testament to good writing.
The plot was translated very well from the original manhwa into TV formatting, and from the get-go it was interesting. I was worried about how season 2 would go since season 1 was so good and the ending left a lot of doors open, but I liked how it turned out.
One hand, it would've been nice to learn more about the origins of the monsters and the decrees, but it made sense that humans wouldn't be able to understand or comprehend the phenomenons properly since the second half of season 1 and the entirety of season 2 showed that most people were brainwashed despite there being so much contrary evidence to popular beliefs. I loved seeing the fall of the New Truth, the insane brutality of the Arrowhead and how Sodo had to battle both factions in season 2.
The pacing of each episode was nice, and the CGI was pretty good for a KDrama. Costuming was brilliant (especially for members of the New Truth and the Arrowhead) as were the set designs. The cinematography complemented the bleak colour palette and combined with the terrific soundtrack created a harrowing atmosphere; all of this crescendoed into a very bittersweet ending and the possibility for another season or a spin-off.
On the whole the acting was great. One of the biggest issues for me, though, was the recasting of Jung Jinsu. I understand that Yoo Ahin was wrapped up in controversy, but he should've stayed part of the cast. His portrayal of Jinsu was calm, clever and stoic up until just before his end, and although he was an antagonist he was still a charasmatic character due to his sly, cunning personality. Kim Sungchul is a good actor, but he was just not Yoo Ahin. I understand that Jinsu may have changed a bit after experiencing Hell, but I got sick of watching him smirk and constantly talk out of the side of his mouth. Jinsu after his resurrection in season 2 was cocky and unlikeable even as an antagonist, and it was honestly a relief whenever he wasn't on screen. The only things he retained from season 1 were his intelligence and skills of manipulation, which made me hate him more whenever he utilised them in that maddening way.
Kim Hyunjoo knocked it out of the park, and Min Hyejin's transformation from determined lawyer to awesome badass made her the best character by far. Even when her own organisation comrades betrayed her, she rose from the ashes again and again and still held onto her principles when the rest of the world had abandoned them.
Park Jeongmin and Won Jinah were two other actors who were excellent; they portrayed the ordinary couple full of love for their baby so well and their sacrifice made me cry.
Kim Shinrok didn't have as much screen time as some of the others but she was perfect as Park Jungja throughout the entire series.
The Senior Secretary was another cocksure character akin to Jinsu who was just as irritating, and honestly wasn't a well-acted character.
The rest of the cast were very good overall and supplemented the drama well.
All in all, this was a very high quality drama and one of Netflix's best.
❝Upholding righteousness and justice in fear of damnation. Is that truly righteous and just?❞
⊱ ────── {.⋅ ✯ ⋅.} ────── ⊰
Another great KDrama from Netflix that proves they should make more horror/thriller dramas than romance ones. With Yeon Sangho at the helm, Hellbound is almost perfect and a testament to good writing.
The plot was translated very well from the original manhwa into TV formatting, and from the get-go it was interesting. I was worried about how season 2 would go since season 1 was so good and the ending left a lot of doors open, but I liked how it turned out.
One hand, it would've been nice to learn more about the origins of the monsters and the decrees, but it made sense that humans wouldn't be able to understand or comprehend the phenomenons properly since the second half of season 1 and the entirety of season 2 showed that most people were brainwashed despite there being so much contrary evidence to popular beliefs. I loved seeing the fall of the New Truth, the insane brutality of the Arrowhead and how Sodo had to battle both factions in season 2.
The pacing of each episode was nice, and the CGI was pretty good for a KDrama. Costuming was brilliant (especially for members of the New Truth and the Arrowhead) as were the set designs. The cinematography complemented the bleak colour palette and combined with the terrific soundtrack created a harrowing atmosphere; all of this crescendoed into a very bittersweet ending and the possibility for another season or a spin-off.
On the whole the acting was great. One of the biggest issues for me, though, was the recasting of Jung Jinsu. I understand that Yoo Ahin was wrapped up in controversy, but he should've stayed part of the cast. His portrayal of Jinsu was calm, clever and stoic up until just before his end, and although he was an antagonist he was still a charasmatic character due to his sly, cunning personality. Kim Sungchul is a good actor, but he was just not Yoo Ahin. I understand that Jinsu may have changed a bit after experiencing Hell, but I got sick of watching him smirk and constantly talk out of the side of his mouth. Jinsu after his resurrection in season 2 was cocky and unlikeable even as an antagonist, and it was honestly a relief whenever he wasn't on screen. The only things he retained from season 1 were his intelligence and skills of manipulation, which made me hate him more whenever he utilised them in that maddening way.
Kim Hyunjoo knocked it out of the park, and Min Hyejin's transformation from determined lawyer to awesome badass made her the best character by far. Even when her own organisation comrades betrayed her, she rose from the ashes again and again and still held onto her principles when the rest of the world had abandoned them.
Park Jeongmin and Won Jinah were two other actors who were excellent; they portrayed the ordinary couple full of love for their baby so well and their sacrifice made me cry.
Kim Shinrok didn't have as much screen time as some of the others but she was perfect as Park Jungja throughout the entire series.
The Senior Secretary was another cocksure character akin to Jinsu who was just as irritating, and honestly wasn't a well-acted character.
The rest of the cast were very good overall and supplemented the drama well.
All in all, this was a very high quality drama and one of Netflix's best.
