Netflix’s latest show has kept a global audience at the edge of their seats and became the streaming giant’s most-watched title in just 24 hours–a feat that took ‘Squid Game’ eight days to achieve
Hellbound won the hearts of global viewers with its stellar cast of seasoned Korean stars and its universal themes that address life and death, crime and punishment, and justice in the world we live in. The series focuses on supernatural events caused by otherworldly beings who issue decrees condemning individuals to hell, bringing mayhem and enabling the rise of a new religious group called The New Truth.
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Director Yeon Sang-ho has added another global phenomenon to his roster (he wrote and directed 2016's record-breaking live-action film Train to Busan and its sequel Peninsula) as the series has recorded a whopping 43.48 million hours watched three days after its release. It has also landed in the Top 10 list in 71 countries, including Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Jamaica, India, US, France, and Germany.
Let’s take a look at some of the ingredients that went into bringing this supernatural series to life:
Yoo Ah-in filmed a two-page script in its entirety in one take
Yoo Ah-in, who leaves a strong impression with every character he undertakes, plays Jung Jinsu, the chairman of The New Truth, an up-and-coming religious organisation that comes into power amidst the panic befalling society. Yoo chisels into perfection the unique and eccentric qualities of a charismatic leader and an unreadable mystic.
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Director Yeon also developed the character of Jung Jin-su with Yoo in mind as he had great confidence in his ability to become one with the character. He had lengthy discussions with Yoo in refining the character and his traits in order to create someone powerful enough to shake people’s beliefs.