21st Century Hell

 

 

A Catholic University professor in the Catholic Peace Weekly column on Drama Contents  gives the readers a run down on the TV Drama Hellbound. 

 

The popularity of the drama  is unusual. It once again reveals the power of Korean content by taking the top spot in the Netflix TV show category, beating out 'Squid Game', which caused a sensation around the world. Some foreign media praised it as "a work that will be talked about for years", but in fact, there is nothing particularly new about the subject this drama deals with. 

 

The problem of human sin and God's judgment has been repeatedly talked about in various genres, transcending time and space. Still, what was the reason that such an old image was able to captivate those living in the 21st century? Of course, the sharp insight and criticism of the contemporary society and the splendid directing are important  but above all, it is because the questions that form the basis of this drama are still valid for us.

 

Hellbound deals with events that occur as messengers who suddenly appear one day informing people  their going to hell and enforcing it. Society falls into extreme fear and confusion as this is made known without reasons given, terrifying monster-shaped beings appear and  persons  brutally assaulted and murdered by them are broadcast live in the media.

 

However, while calling this supernatural phenomenon God's judgment, people blindly follow only the doctrine by relying on a new pseudo-religion called New Truth Church, rather than reflecting on their lives and trying to live a good life on their own. While watching the atrocities of pseudo-religion, which point out those who go against the interests of the denomination, gang violence and even murder, many people stand by and even support the injustices. 

 

Under the guise of conveying God's will, the chairmen and members of the New Truth Society wielding exclusive power, and  the crimes they commit, tolerated by the world, seem more terrifying than the existence of messengers heralding their journey to hell. But in the face of this terrible violence of madness, a few people do stand up bravely  to  confront it. Contrary to the words of the Chairman  of the New Truth Society, who asked:"If it is not fear, what will make humans repent?" 

 

A lawyer and others choose the way of justice that puts down even the natural fear of the heart instead of "living with  fear of being ripped off."  The love and sacrifice of those  willingly laying down their lives leads to the creation of a miracle of exception in the circumstances of death and hell predicted by the messengers. The unexpected final scene of season 1 is also making viewers think again about where is the  will of God, making us wait for season 2.  

 

In the face of a disaster that is hard to accept, people sometimes resent God or try to find the cause of pain by turning  against others. Even though they believe that  justice will be achieved, in heaven, they  often believe  that injustice and the results  are always the fault of others. But what should be remembered is that the judgment is always up to God.  Just like Jesus, who embraced the prostitute surrounded by those filled with the desire for condemnation, what must be done before considering the severity of others' sins is forgiveness and love.

Netflix's "Hellbound" points out that a more terrible hell than the one presented in the drama  lies in the foolishness of humans who hastily judge God's will and easily condemn others, and the ugliness of humans who commit greater injustice in fear and ignorance. In the end, this drama has reaffirmed the fact that in the 21st century hell already exists in this world in which we live.