The Façade of a Perfect Family
The core of the webtoon Bastard is the illusion of the Seon family. What appears to be a picture-perfect life is a meticulously constructed façade that shatters as the story unfolds. The more we learn about this family, the more the horrifying reality comes to light.
To the outside world, Dongsoo Seon is a respected and beloved CEO—a charming, kind, and generous pillar of the community. People can't possibly imagine the calculated mask he and his son, Jin, are wearing. In public, they are a normal family, but behind closed doors, their lives are a complete nightmare.
Bastard serves as more than just a mirror; it's a double-edged sword that reveals two jarring realities. On one side is the peaceful, normal life everyone sees. On the other is the terrifying and violent existence Jin is forced to endure behind closed doors, a prisoner in his own home. This stark contrast is what makes the story so deeply unsettling yet intriguing.
Bastards’ Characters
Jin Seon (also called Seonwoo Jin)
He is a high school student who is physically weak and has a glass eye. For years, he has been an unwilling accomplice to his serial killer father, a situation that has left him with deep psychological trauma.
Dongsoo Seon:
He is a charismatic and successful CEO in public, but in private, he is a sadistic and manipulative serial killer.
Kyun Yoon:
She is the first person to show Jin genuine kindness, and as they develop feelings for each other, she becomes a target for Dongsoo.
Opinions about Bastard
Bastard is a gripping cat-and-mouse game where the stakes are far higher than a simple chase. The true conflict begins when Kyun Yoon enters Jin's life. For the first time, Jin decides to fight back against his trauma and the man who created it: his father, Dongsoo Seon.
This is not an easy fight, as the power struggle between them is vast and multi-layered. Dongsoo is the head of the family, the successful breadwinner, and a cunning adult. Jin, in stark contrast, is his young, physically weak son whose condition leaves him too fragile for a direct, physical confrontation. This imbalance forces Jin to rely on his wits rather than his strength.
The narrative expertly builds suspense as Jin attempts to outsmart his manipulative father. He must find a way to expose his father's heinous crimes without getting caught, all while navigating the immense internal struggle of becoming the "bastard" he fears he is destined to be. This is not just a fight for survival, but for his very soul.
The webtoon's true horror isn't found in simple jump scares but in its chilling, psychological realism. It is a dark exploration of morality, violence, and the human will to survive, maintaining a constant sense of dread as Jin tries to break free from his father's sadistic control. The webtoon earns its "graphic" label not just through what it shows, but through what it makes you feel.
While the story doesn't constantly rely on extreme gore, its depictions of violence are brutal and effective when they need to be. It shows the aftermath of murders, the sheer terror on victims' faces, and the sinister tools of the killer. The violence is used not for cheap shock value, but to highlight the characters' moral degradation and the horrifying reality of their lives.
