Once again it the entertainment industry in Hollywood needs a cleansing, as the television offerings have been less than desirable. This is a good time to turn to the world of thriller/sci-fi/horror K-Dramas whose first seasons gained several millions viewers on Netflix. Most notably, was 2020’s mega-hit Squid Game, 2021’s Hellbound, and this year’s Gyeongseong Creature.
Before the year is out, all three of these are releasing Season 2 follow-ups, one of them as soon as this Friday.
Gyeongseong Creature 2
Season 1 of this hit took place in Gyeongseong (now Seoul) in 1945, when the city was under control of the Imperial Japanese Army. The Army was subjecting Korean citizens to some ungodly biological experiments, resulting in the monster thriller of the first season. Season two gets an 80-year time jump to present-day Seoul, and yes, both stars Park Seo-joon and Han So-Hee will be returning, and from the looks of things, as their original characters.
Coming Sept. 27.
Hellbound 2
Hellbound is based on a webtoon available in print from Dark Horse Comics. Four about five years, the world has seen angelic-like visions appear to individual condemning them to Hell for their sins. The sentence they are giving can be anywhere from just a few moments to some years in the future. However, when the time comes, it comes. Huge demonlike creatures drag the “convicted” to Hell at the precise time predicted. This, of course, has spawned conspiracy theorists, cults, mistrust in fellow man, public panic and more. In many cased, humans are to be feared as much as the demons. Season 1 ended on a surprising revelation cliffhanger, and it is finally getting a follow up three years later.
Coming Oct. 25.
Squid Game 2
I think Squid Game was going to be popular even without overkill lockdown mania guiding tons of viewers its way. For many, it was a gateway drug into the world of K-Dramas, and a well-done thriller that kept people interested until the end of the season. Even though protagonist Gi-hun (Lee Jung-Jae) made it through the games and found the source behind them, it became evident the games themselves are surviving to torture more desperate players….and this is what will commence in Season 2. This year’s new cast will feature some pretty big names in the K-Drama world, but what I’m curious about is the return of actor Wi Ha-joon, who played police officer Hwang Jun-ho. Those who watched the first season known his tragic fate. We’ll all find out when Squid Game season 2 starts streaming on Netflix December 26.
Coming Dec. 26.
Season One of all three of these K-Dramas are currently available on Netflix. Binge them while you can.
