Inside the ‘Hellbound’ Universe: A Special Panel with Director Bong Joon ho and Creators Yeon Sang ho and Choi Gyu seok

One day after the release of the much-awaited second season of Hellbound, a special panel talk brought three-time Academy Award-winning director Bong Joon-ho (Parasite, Okja) to discuss the Hellbounduniverse with the series' director Yeon Sang-ho and writer Choi Gyu-seok. Moderated by film critic Lee Dong-jin, the event attracted over 200 attendees and was live-streamed to a wider audience.

A self-proclaimed fan of the Hellboundseries, director Bong Joon-ho called it a masterpiece. "It almost made me feel like I was burning in hell myself," he said. He continued to express admiration for Yeon Sang-ho and Choi Gyu-seok's long-standing collaboration and their ability to create something remarkable.

As the universe expands, a solid partnership is key to keep the ideas flowing. Yeon Sang-ho shared insights into his creative process with Choi Gyu-seok, explaining how their discussions often lead to new storylines for the Hellbound universe: "When something worth connecting comes up, I start writing, then he listens to the script and asks questions."

Film critic Lee Dong-jin also expressed his awe at the expanded universe in Season 2, saying, "I was blown away by Season 1 and wondered what more there could be. The concept of resurrection brought incredibly interesting stories." When asked about the decrees, demonstrations, angels and executors in Hellbound, Bong Joon-ho noted that these terms, though short and straightforward in the Korean language, carry profound meaning and impact within the series. "When the demonstrations begin, you feel a mix of fear and adrenaline, wanting to see more while simultaneously wanting to run away," he explained. "It's like a sudden rush of blood."

The dynamic visuals of the executors in Season 2 are also generating excitement among fans. Yeon Sang-ho explained that while the executors in Season 1 were made by slightly editing one model through VFX, Season 2 introduces bold changes to show that there are many executors.

In line with fans' praise for the actors' performances, Bong Joon-ho commended their exceptional ability to bring the series' fast pace and drama to life. Choi Gyu-seok added, "Even though I drew the comics while considering many factors such as facial expressions and acting, there were so many elements I couldn't have imagined. As I witnessed the comic on screen, I was impressed by how certain lines were delivered."

"As a fan of director Yeon Sang-ho, I love Hellboundbecause it exposes the fear and weakness that people feel, and their efforts to break free," Bong Joon-ho concluded. "These themes are similar to why I make films."

HellboundSeason 2is now streaming, only on Netflix.