′Hellbound 2′ Actor Kim Sung-cheol Not Afraid of Audience′s Comparisons with ′Hellbound 1′

▲ This image, provided by Netflix, shows South Korean actor Kim Sung-cheon as Jin-soo, the central figure behind the religious cult New Truth Society in Netflix original series "Hellbound" season 2 (Hellbound 2). (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Oct. 31 (Yonhap) -- "While re-filming the 'demonstration' scenes that Yoo Ah-in previously portrayed, everyone on set was watching me. I could feel a mix of expectations and, honestly, a lot of concern," shared actor Kim Sung-cheol, who recently took on the role of Jung Jin-soo in Netflix's "Hellbound."

As the central figure behind the religious cult New Truth Society, Jung is portrayed as a prophet-like leader idolized by followers. However, following the lead actor Yoo Ah-in's legal controversies, director Yeon Sang-ho enlisted Kim Sung-cheol to carry on the role in the highly anticipated "Hellbound Season 2."

Recalling his initial meeting with Director Yeon, Kim said, "He was confident and dedicated to the character and the series. Seeing that passion, I felt I wanted to give it a shot."

▲ These still photos of thriller series "Hellbound 2" is provided by Netflix. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Season 2 of Hellbound depicts Jung Jin-soo’s return following his previous encounter with supernatural beings. Now devoid of his past calm and assurance, he embodies fear and anxiety, a shift Kim Sung-cheol embraced by diving into the original webtoon for character inspiration.

“The original script included Yoo Ah-in’s lines from Season 1, but I realized I couldn’t reinvent it that way. So, I turned to the webtoon and focused on portraying Jin-soo’s fear and humanity.”

Despite the challenge of stepping into an already popular role, Kim expressed no regrets.

"The character's complexity drew me in, and I knew from the start that comparisons were inevitable. I wasn’t focused on outshining Yoo Ah-in; I just wanted to bring my interpretation to the role," he explained. "I figured I had nothing to lose—success isn't guaranteed every time, and not every character will be universally loved."

Kim, who debuted in 2014 with the musical Puberty and has since appeared in Prison Playbook, Do You Like Brahms?, and Sweet Home, shared his dream role: a story of love between Earth and Mars.

"I’d love to portray a heartbreaking love story—an impossible romance that keeps the characters apart," he said with a smile.

'Hellbound 2' Actor Kim Sung-cheol Not Afraid of Audience's Comparisons with 'Hellbound 1'