Picture: Jung Jaegu | Netflix
Netflix renewed Hellbound for a second season in 2022 and finally got into production in mid-2023. This season will see some big changes notably the lead actor Yoo Ah-In replaced in the role of Jung Jinsu by Kim Sung-Cheol. Here’s everything we know so far about Hellbound season 2 on Netflix that’s scheduled for release in late 2024.
Hellbound is the South Korean Netflix Original horror series written and directed by Yeon Sang-Ho and is an adaptation of the popular South Korean webtoon Hell.
The series was one of the biggest K-Dramas released on Netflix in 2021, only second to the worldwide phenomenon Squid Game. The show is critically acclaimed, carrying a 97% RottenTomatoes rating and scooping up numerous awards.
Hellbound Season 2 Netflix Renewal Status
Official Netflix Renewal Status: Renewed (Last Updated: 24/09/2022)
Since Hellbound was released on Netflix over ten months ago, we’ve had complete radio silence surrounding any news on renewal. Convinced that the series wasn’t returning for a second season, we were incredibly surprised to learn at the Netflix TUDUM event that Hellbound has been renewed for season 2.
Viewing Data
In its first week, the show was watched for 43,480,000 hours by subscribers globally, which has seen the drama soar to the top of the global TV Non-English chart.
The show went on to be included in the Non-English TV list for four weeks picking up 142.85 million hours in total.
| Week Period | Hours Viewed(M) | Rank | Week in Top 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 14th, 2021 to November 21st, 2021 | 43,480,000 | 1 | 1 |
| November 21st, 2021 to November 28th, 2021 | 67,520,000 (+55%) | 2 | 2 |
| November 28th, 2021 to December 5th, 2021 | 22,380,000 (-67%) | 3 | 3 |
| December 5th, 2021 to December 12th, 2021 | 9,470,000 (-58%) | 9 | 4 |
Looking at the raw top 10s, the show made it into the top ten lists of 90 different countries. Many countries have seen Hellbound reach the number one spot, and in many others it has featured in the top 3.
If we compare the hourly data, we can see it fell well short of All Of Us Are Dead and Squid Game (both getting renewed for season 2) and tracked just higher than The Silent Sea.
Top 10 comparison – Hellbound vs All Of Us Are Dead vs Squid Game vs The Silent Sea
Compared to a couple of other shows that were released weekly and Squid Game, you can see the show falls very short thus suggesting the show could be at risk of cancelation.
Top 10 comparison – Hellbound vs Business Proposal vs Squid Game vs Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
What to expect from the second season of Hellbound?
Before we get into our predictions and expectations of season 2, here’s Netflix’s official description of the forthcoming season:
“Season 2 of Hellbound unleashes a chaotic world, exacerbated by continuous hellbound decrees. This season sees lawyer Min Hyejin from Sodo, The New Truth Society, and the Arrowheads entangled amidst the sudden resurrections of The New Truth’s Chairman Jung Jinsu and Park Jungja.
Kim Hyun-joo returns to portray Min Hyejin, a lawyer fighting against a group of fanatics who worship Jung Jinsu and The New Truth Society, known as the Arrowheads. Kim Sung-cheol takes on the role of Jung Jinsu, the founding chairman of The New Truth Society, who concealed his own hellhound past to protect its doctrines and institution.”
In the final moments of the first season, a shocking revelation that will forever change the world takes place when Park Jung Ja’s ashes and remains come together and resurrect the woman.
The doctrine of the New Truth was torn to shreds after multiple eyewitnesses saw what transpired between the baby of Song So Hyun, who, despite being given a decree, lived after his parents sacrificed themselves to save their newborn son.
Song So Hyun sought the help of the New Truth – Picture: Climax Studio
Even more, questions will be asked of the New Truth when the victims of the decrees begin to resurrect just like Park Jung Ja. However, if this means we’ll see the resurrection of former New Truth chairman Jung Jin Soo, would he use his newfound resurrection to spread a new gospel?
Park Jung Ja moments before her death – Picture: Climax Studio
With the New Truth and Arrowhead convincing the masses that all those who were given decrees are sinners, sinners being resurrected from hell itself will likely send society into a complete meltdown as the world attempts to understand “God’s” actions.
Speaking to Variety, the creator of the show acknowledged that with the Webtoon now covered, plans for the second season would be going back to the drawing board, saying:
“Because “Hellbound” is based on the original webtoons, my partner Choi Kyu-Seok and I have decided that the story afterwards will be told first through the webtoon and, as for whether we would want to turn that into another live-action series, that’s something that we will need further discussion on. As you know, we have only just released “Hellbound” Season 1 and so we didn’t have any time to discuss that issue with Netflix. So I would say this is something we need further discussion on.”
Who is the cast of Hellbound season 2?
Initially, Yoo Ah Soo was due to return as Jung Jinsu; however, due to a police investigation in South Korea involving his alleged illegal drug use, he has been replaced for the second season of Hellbound.
The police investigation has resulted in a positive test for propofol and marijuana. The use of those substances violates South Korea’s Narcotics Control Act. Yoo Ahn Soo had also tested positive for substances such as cocaine and ketamine in his hair.
Yoo Ah In will not be returning as Jung Jinsoo
Yoo Ah Soo has been replaced by actor Kim Sung Cheol for the role of Jung Jinsu. Netflix subscribers should be familiar with Kim Sung Cheol thanks to them starring in multiple Netflix k-dramas such as Prison Playbook, Arthdal Chronicles, Hospital Playlist, Sweet Home, Vincenzo, Racket Boys, and Our Beloved Summer.
Kim Hyun-Joo, Kim Sung-Cheol, & Kim Shin-Rok cast in Netflix sequel drama series “Hellbound 2” (Kim Sung-Cheol replaces Yoo Ah-In to play main villain character). #Hellbound2 #KimHyunJoo #KimSungCheol #KimShinRok #지옥시즌2https://t.co/bF9EKAoJ3b pic.twitter.com/zuJfjHiNkP
— AsianWiki (@AsianWiki) March 2, 2023
Returning to reprise their main roles in the second season of Hellbound are Kim Hyun Joo as Min Hye Jin and Yang Ik Jun as Jin Kyung Hoon.
Reprising their supporting roles are Lee Re as Jin Hee Jung and Lee Dong Hee as Kim Jung Chil.
Actress Kim Shin Rok has been promoted from a supporting role to a main role for the second season and will reprise her role as Park Jung Ja.
Kim Shin Rok will return as Park Jung Ja
Joining the cast of Hellbound are Yang Dong Geun and Im Sung Jae.
When could we expect to see Hellbound season 2 on Netflix?
Filming on the second season finally got underway in early August 2023, as confirmed by Netflix’s K-Content account:
Welcome back to a whole new Hell.
Season 2 is now in production. pic.twitter.com/CqkC1eNrsF — Netflix K-Content (@netflixkcontent) August 4, 2023
Why did that production take so long to get underway?
As you’ve probably seen from the casting changes, that’s led to significant delays, which is undoubtedly the main reason behind the long wait to get underway with production.
In addition, Yeon Sang Oh, the series’ director and creator, has been busy over the past year with multiple projects for Netflix, including an adaptation of Parasyte and a new zombie horror series.
Filming for Hellbound began on September 17th, 2020, and came to an end on January 18th, 2021.
At the Netflix South Korean Next on Netflix event, they confirmed that Hellbound is due to return in Q4 2024 – that means anytime between October, November, or December.
Are you looking forward to the second season of Hellbound on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!