Bastard: Dissecting Fear…..and More
“Bastard,” a psychological thriller manhwa by Kim Carnby and Hwang Youngchan, puts you on a seat in front of a chessboard of life where each character is meticulously maneuvered, each move echoing the unsettling blend of fear, tension, and anticipation.
The narrative revolves around Jin Seon, a high school student who leads a double life due to his father’s dark and secretive activities. His father, Dongsoo, is a respected businessman by day, but beneath the surface, he harbors a hidden, sinister side. Jin, despite being deeply affected himself, is forced into becoming an unwilling participant in his father’s gruesome acts.
The manhwa starts with a chilling tone, offering a stark portrayal of a dysfunctional father-son relationship, an unsettling normality of their life dominated by fear and violence. “Bastard” paints the frightening reality that sometimes the real monsters are not lurking in the dark alleyways. They might be sitting with us at the dinner table.
Each one of us carries battles inside, some more horrifying than others. For Jin, it’s a constant struggle between the dread of his father and the desperate yearning for a normal life. He is a symbol of resilience, pushing through each day under the shadow of a beast, a testament to human strength.
“Bastard” challenges us to confront the brutal side of humanity while inviting us to question our own sense of morality and justice. The choices Jin makes, and the risks he takes, all remind us that the boundaries between right and wrong can blur when survival is at stake.
Yet, amidst this haunting darkness, there’s a glimmer of hope, personified in the character of Kyun Yoon, Jin’s classmate. She is the beacon of light that penetrates the gloom that surrounds Jin, the embodiment of compassion and courage.
“Bastard” may initially seem like a grim and disturbing tale, but it is also a compelling narrative of survival, resilience, and redemption. It reinforces that light can seep into the darkest of places and the vilest of hearts.
Whether we relate more to Jin, carrying the weight of horrific secrets, or we find ourselves in Kyun, trying to fight injustice and spread kindness, “Bastard” leaves us contemplating our capacity for good and evil. It urges us to be empathetic to the silent battles that others might be fighting and to be that ray of light for someone trapped in their own version of darkness.
“Bastard” is more than just a manhwa. It’s a mirror reflecting our inner fears, our resilience, and our capacity for good and evil. In a world that often seems like a maze of moral dilemmas, it reminds us that even the most twisted paths can lead us to redemption and that it’s never too late to break free from the chains of our personal demons.