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| ▲ This still photo of thriller series "Hellbound 2" is provided by Netflix. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Yonhap) -- The Netflix series Hellbound captured a dystopian world where people are condemned to hell by mysterious emissaries, with some later resurrecting—a storyline that amassed 110 million viewing hours within ten days. Following a three-year wait, Hellbound 2 took an unexpected turn, adding new layers rather than clarifying mysteries, expanding its complex universe.
Director Yeon Sang-ho has stated that Hellbound 2 aims not to conclude but to expand the series, paving the way for spin-offs and more stories within the same universe.
Yeon, who previously found success with Netflix's Parasyte: The Grey, is collaborating with short story writers to extend Hellbound’s intellectual property (IP). Planned projects include a collection of short stories, potentially adapted into video content.
Spin-offs are gaining traction on OTT platforms, where creators leverage the popularity of established characters and worlds.
TVing recently released Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard, a spin-off centered on the controversial prosecutor Seo Dong-jae from the popular Stranger series, which aired in 2017 and 2020. This character, portrayed as morally ambiguous and opportunistic, gained a loyal following, with fans affectionately calling him “Our Dong-jae.” The series, written by original Stranger writer Lee Soo-yeon, portrays Dong-jae balancing his job duties and self-serving instincts, adding depth to the established universe.
In a lighter spin-off, The Boss’s Meal Plan, TVing’s recent release, expands the world of Not Wanting to Lose. The story spotlights supporting couple Nam Ja-yeon (Han Ji-hyun) and Bok Kyu-hyun (Lee Sang-yi), as Ja-yeon, a mature web novelist, experiences life from her own novel’s heroine’s perspective.
Netflix is also launching Mantis, a spin-off of Kill Boksoon, a 2023 film that follows an assassin under MK Entertainment. Mantis, starring Im Si-wan, explores the life of a killer after a long hiatus. With Kill Boksoon director Byun Sung-hyun involved in the screenplay, fans of the original film eagerly anticipate this continuation of its universe.
OTT spin-offs offer an advantage: they extend the lifecycle of popular IPs while reducing risks.
Pop culture critic Ha Jae-keun commented, “With so many platforms and an overwhelming amount of content today, many works risk fading into obscurity. Spin-offs based on already popular works with established fan bases are comparatively easier to promote.”
He added, “While spin-offs are a safer choice, they may create entry barriers for viewers unfamiliar with the original, and risk comparisons that could make them seem less fresh or innovative in contrast to the original work.”
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