How Hellbound’s Brutal Season Two Ending Keeps the Focus on Humanity

As a long-time fan of dark and thought-provoking series, I found myself utterly captivated by the Season 2 finale of Hellbound. The way the narrative weaves together themes of faith, power, and the human condition is nothing short of masterful. It’s clear that the creators are not afraid to challenge our beliefs and make us question the nature of existence itself.

In November 2021, fresh from the triumph of “Squid Game,” Netflix premiered a new supernatural horror series helmed by the director of “Train to Busan,” Yeon Sang-ho. Titled “Hellbound” or “지옥,” this series explores how Korean society reacts when hell arrives on earth. In the opening episode, people start receiving eerie visits from otherworldly beings predicting their exact time of death and declaring that they will be destined for hell. At the predicted time of death for three individuals, massive, Hulk-like creatures known as “executors” suddenly appear to force them into submission and burn them alive in a horrifying demonstration.

The series “Hellbound” climbed to the summit of Netflix’s Global Top 10 listings, fueling anticipation that the Korean wave, known as Hallyu, was entering a fresh era. A good three years on, “Hellbound” returns for a second season, eager to regain the worldwide interest that catapulted its first run into success.

Season 2’s power struggle: The New Truth, The Arrowhead, and Sodo

In my view, as a fervent fan, I’m eagerly anticipating the second season of “Hellbound.” Four years have passed since the events of the first season’s finale, and eight years since the story began. The world, particularly South Korea, appears to be plunged deeper into societal turmoil. The New Truth Society, once led by the captivating cult leader Jung Jin-su (previously portrayed by Yoo Ah-in in Season 1, now by Kim Sung-cheol), is struggling to maintain public interest without their charismatic figurehead who faced his own trial in Season 1. In the meantime, the extremist cult known as Arrowhead has seen its power grow more fanatical, with livestreamer Pinwheel (Cho Dong-in) leading a violent mob that seeks to purge this world of perceived sinners, pursuing their own form of redemption.

In other parts, we find Sodo – a decentralized group established by former lawyer Min Hye-jin (Kim Hyun-joo) who champions the cause of those unfairly targeted. Since Season 1, they have significantly expanded their influence and authority, yet this growth has led them to deviate from their original righteous goals towards amassing power. This shift is most evident in their handling of Jae-hyeon, a young boy who miraculously survived a protest. At the start of Season 2, Jae-hyeon, now four years old, is confined within one of Sodo’s isolated compounds for observation. Despite being provided with luxurious amenities, he lacks the warmth and affection of a family environment.

The resurrection of Park Jung-Ja and Senior Secretary Lee’s plan

At the end of Season 1, Park Jung-ja (also known as Kim Shin-rock) was resurrected four years later. When Season 2 begins, Korean society remains oblivious to this miraculous event, kept in the dark by The New Truth Society who are trying to exploit an essentially unresponsive Jung-ja for their own purposes. Senior Secretary Lee (Moon So-ri), a clever and cheerful government official, proposes using Jung-ja to disseminate a new ideology aimed at winning society back to The New Truth Society. In desperation, Chairman Kim consents to this plan.

In Season 2, we meet the new character, Senior Secretary Lee, who plays a crucial role in shaping the series’ events. With the government’s power and resources at her disposal, she operates as a puppet master behind the scenes, aiming to maintain order and control over society. She discusses her strategy with former colleague Kim Sung-jip (Hong Eui-joon), who is now the leader of Sodo, to establish a country where two opposing forces, in this instance, the New Truth Society and Sodo, are constantly at odds. To Sung-jip, she says that even if the world becomes chaotic, it’s essential to have a structure to keep it running smoothly. In essence, she convinces him to collaborate by stating that the world needs a system, no matter how turbulent things get.

As the final episode approaches, Lee has meticulously arranged a dramatic confrontation at the unveiling of the New Truth Society’s revised doctrine, spearheaded by the troubled leader Jung-ja. High above the city streets, in a boardroom, Lee initiates her strategy. Sodo’s members Hye-jin and Sung-jip have made their way to the scene with the intention of rescuing Jung-ja from the New Truth Society. While Hye-jin aims to reunite Jung-ja with her children, Sung-jip has collaborated with Lee to apprehend Jung-ja for Sodo. If everything goes as intended, the New Truth Society will gain control over Jung-ja’s new doctrine, Sodo will possess Jung-ja herself, and Lee will command both factions. However, Lee hadn’t anticipated the arrival of Jung Jin-su.

The resurrection of Jung Jin-Su

Park Jung-ja’s reappearance might have left viewers on the edge of their seats at the end of Hellbound’s first season, but Jung Jin-su’s unexpected resurrection in Season 2 could potentially be a more significant trigger for the show’s chaotic conclusion. In the series premiere, it is revealed that Jin-su indeed descended into some form of hell. During his time there, he was compelled to relive some of the most tormenting episodes of his life, yet from another’s perspective: He became his own father, abusing his mother; he was the murderer Jin-su and Hee-sung burned alive in a crematorium in Season 1; he was yanked from one nightmare to the next by the same creatures that had dragged him to hell.

After Jin-su regains consciousness, he is plagued by a torment reminiscent of hell. His sole focus shifts to Park Jung-ja, the only individual known to have been resurrected alongside him. Once he manages to convince throngs of faithful Arrowhead followers and Senior Secretary Lee to aid in Jung-ja’s retrieval, his hopes are dashed when she fails to meet his expectations. “Maybe our versions of hell differ,” Jung-ja suggests, as she attempts to flee. “When I gaze into a mirror, I perceive nothing behind me. The enforcers you see aren’t lurking outside; they reside within you.

In Jin-su’s world, Seh-hyeong finds himself within Jin-su, and it seems as though Jin-su has exhausted all his opportunities. During Jin-su’s discussions with Cheon Se-hyeong in Season 2, a recurring topic is the concept of last chances. While Jin-su ridicules Se-hyeong for squandering his final chance by placing trust in him, it ultimately becomes clear that it is Jin-su who misuses his resurrection. He employs his second opportunity much like he did with most of his initial life: self-centeredly, seeking solace for his emotional wounds without regard for the pain he intentionally causes to others.

Jung-ja’s proclamation stands unique, distinct from any decree, as Jin-su comes to understand. The struggle within him intensifies as executors take hold. Desperate, Jin-su implores Hye-jin for aid. Unlike the majority of Season 2’s influential figures, she doesn’t view people as chess pieces. Even when Jin-su is being consumed by hellish forces from within, she acknowledges his humanity and believes it’s a battle worth waging. Regrettably, her attempts are in vain. Jin-su transforms into an executor-like entity and is dragged back into the abyss once more. The Arrowhead broadcasts the entire spectacle, casting a sinister shadow over self-proclaimed savior Jin-su.

Park Jung-Ja is reunited with her children

With the New Truth Society and Arrowhead preoccupied by Jin-su’s second death, Hye-jin and Sung-jip take advantage of the situation to secretly move Jung-ja out of Seoul. However, their trust is betrayed by Sung-jip as he plots to eliminate Jung-ja to prevent anyone from exploiting her against Sodo, and Hye-jin, whom he believes will attempt to thwart his plans. Justifying his actions, Sung-jip tells a dismayed Hye-jin that the world requires a convincing falsehood now. He argues that people are weary from the relentless turmoil and do not require an uncertain truth; instead, they need a well-crafted lie to establish a stable foundation for the world. This statement mirrors the manipulative message Secretary Lee once used on him.

Following a fierce battle, Hye-jin overpowers Sung-jip, securing him to a hunk of debris in a deserted scrapyard. “This is our final opportunity…our last chance to save the world,” Sung-jip pleads desperately with Hye-jin. However, she refuses his appeal, countering: “You must rescue yourself before you can rescue the world.

Park Jung-ja’s world-ending prophecy and the wave of decrees

Before bidding farewell, Jung-ja shares some grim tidings with Hye-jin: “Soon, the world will meet its demise. Therefore, you should make the most of your time and do whatever you desire.” Throughout the series, Jung-ja has foretold several characters’ deaths due to her unique ability to glimpse images related to people’s final moments. When Director Kim is brutally killed by the Arrowhead under Jin-su’s careless orders, he sees two birds adorning the ceiling above him and chuckles, understanding that Jung-ja had foreseen this fate.

Despite Jung-ja’s prediction appearing unavoidable, Hye-jin managing to survive in the Season 2 finale shows that her visions can indeed be altered. Hye-jin manages to dodge Sung-jip’s first fatal shot because she recognizes the signs Jung-ja linked with her demise. It seems that the end of the world, as Jung-ja predicts, might not be as definite as she believes.

Ever since Jin-su’s untimely demise, I find myself witnessing an unprecedented surge in decrees. Following this tragic event, a multitude of celestial beings, resembling angels, have taken up residence in the skies above Seoul. These ethereal entities have been foretelling the imminent deaths of a significant portion of our population, including Secretary Lee, and their subsequent journeys to the underworld. This new, eerie reality is slowly but surely taking shape.

How does Hellbound Season 2 end?

In Season 2’s concluding moment of Hellbound, a significant twist is introduced regarding one of the key events from Season 1. In the previous season, it appeared that baby Jae-hyeon was miraculously saved from death during a demonstration by her parents’ sacrifice, thus escaping hell. This event, however, turned out to be a deception. Contrary to what we saw in Season 1, Jae-hyeon did indeed die during the demonstration and was promptly resurrected, marking the first instance of such an occurrence. This revelation not only calls into question the events of Season 1 but also impacts the power dynamics within the New Truth Society and the fanaticism of the Arrowhead faction.

What does this all mean? First, that it may be impossible to escape a decree; no one is spared from demonstration, though some may be spared from hell. Second, that Jae-hyeon may have a latent power, just as Jung-ja does. Third, that what we do in this life—and how we care for each other—does matter. Even when Jin-su came back from hell, he feared he might still be in it. Hellbound Season 2 posits that we create our own hell, individually and collectively, and even when there is a supernatural power also getting in on the game. “I get it now. I finally know what God’s will is,” Se-hyeong tells Jin-su. “He wants to give meaning to something meaningless and fill the world with people who kill each other. Do you know what that is? It’s Hell. God is trying to turn this world into Hell.”

It’s a similar sentiment to the one expressed by the random, good-natured taxi driver who picks Hye-jin and baby Jae-hyeon up as they are trying to escape Seoul in the Season 1 finale. “I don’t know much about God, and I don’t even care,” he tells Hye-jin. “But there’s one thing I do know: and that is that this world belongs to humans. And we should settle our matters ourselves.” Hye-jin is whisking Jae-hyeon away at the end of Season 2, as well. “Jae-hyeon, I want to tell you a story about your parents now,” she tells Jae-hyeong, who is seeing the world outside her room for the first time. “[A story] about how much your mom and dad loved you. And when I’m done, I want to be your mom. What do you think?” Jae-hyeon agrees, happily, and they drive over a bridge and into a warm light. 

In Season 2, they repeatedly emphasize that stories hold great power, and Hye-jin is sharing one with Jae-hyeon that is sincere and truthful. This isn’t the kind of tale Jin-su might have heard growing up, alone, nor would it be told by Secretary Lee, the New Truth Society, or the Arrowhead, as it doesn’t serve their ruthless, swift accumulation of power. It’s a story that Detective Jin Kyung-hun shares with his dying daughter, Hee-jung, as she lays in his arms. Despite spending most of her life under Jung Jin-su’s control and empty promises, it’s the family portrait, the narrative of love, that brings her solace during her final moments.

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2024-10-25 23:07