Actor Kim Hyun-joo / Courtesy of Netflix

Actor Kim Hyun-joo poured herself into her role, running tirelessly and evolving in her portrayal of lawyer Min Hye-jin, the leader of the Sodo group opposing cult forces. Director Yeon Sang-ho initially questioned if she could embody the lead female character Min Hye-jin's intensity, but Kim's progress soon changed his mind.

During a recent interview in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Kim discussed her role in "Hellbound" Season 2, which unfolds amid a world destabilized by continued "hellbound" proclamations.

The storyline intensifies with the return of New Truth's leader, Jung Jin-su (Kim Sung-cheol), and focuses on Min Hye-jin's confrontation with the religious cult and the Arrowheads faction.

Returning as Min Hye-jin, Kim expressed her joy at reprising the character. "It's wonderful to be back. This is my first time working on a series with multiple seasons, and I didn't expect Season 2 to happen when we first started," she said.

The new script stirred her imagination, especially as she wondered, "How will these scenes be brought to life?"

Kim acknowledged the challenge of showing Min Hye-jin's growth. "It wasn't easy to convey how the character had changed in Season 2. I felt she would have spent time reflecting on whether her beliefs were truly right. I hoped that sense of weight would come across," Kim said.

Kim performed many of her own action scenes, including driving sequences. "I love driving, so I did a lot of it myself. There's a scene in Season 2 where the car suddenly stops — I did it all," she said.

The new season introduces fresh faces, including Kim Sung-cheol, who replaces Yoo Ah-in, and Moon Geun-young, who plays a kindergarten teacher-turned-cult leader of the Arrowheads.

Actor Kim Hyun-joo greets fans during the open talk for the Netflix series "Hellbound" Season 2 at the 29th Busan International Film Festival at the Busan Cinema Center in Haeundae District, Oct. 4.

Taking on challenges

Speaking about Kim Sung-cheol, Kim Hyun-joo said, "If I were in his shoes, I don't know if I could have agreed to step in. Even if I'd wanted the role, I'd be anxious. But Kim Sung-cheol handled it gracefully and made the role his own."

On Moon Geun-young, Kim noted, "She brought the character's transformation to life with skill. It's tough to pull off her eerie makeup and still be taken seriously, but she did it effortlessly."

For Kim, "Hellbound" holds a special significance as it encouraged her to take on new challenges. "I'm not someone who seeks out challenges — I prefer stability. 'Hellbound' was a turning point, and I'm proud I took the leap," she said. "It also allowed me to reexamine myself as an actor."

Director Yeon was equally impressed by Kim's transformation, recalling a lighthearted remark from the past, "Could she really pull off Min Hye-jin?" Kim laughed, "I probably ran like any other woman would at first."

She added, "There's a running scene at the end of Episode 4 in Season 2, and director Yeon was amazed by how different I looked."

Actor Kim Hyun-joo says the "Hellbound" series served as a catalyst for her to take on new challenges. Courtesy of Netflix

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.