In The Name of God: A Holy Betrayal (2023) is a docuseries on Netflix that uncovers the dark side of four cults in South Korea. The series tells the story of a young woman named Maple who joins the Jeong Myeong Seok cult, hoping to find a stable faith. However, she soon finds herself brainwashed by the cult’s leader, who claims to be the Messiah. When she is raped under the pretext of serving God, Maple is left powerless.
The film puts the spotlight on crimes committed under the guise of religion in South Korea. The docuseries directed by Cho Sung Hyun is a mix of crime, documentary, occult, and religious genres. The film has a Based on True Story genre, and it is set to be released in 2023. The film stars June Yoon and Victoria Grace.
Maple Yip, a 29-year-old Hong Kong student, is the main protagonist of In The Name of God: A Holy Betrayal. She is brainwashed by Jeong Myeong Seok, the leader of the JMS cult, and becomes a model, street evangelist, and preacher. However, before coming to Korea, JMS members threaten and prohibit her from being a speaker in the docuseries. They fear she might reveal the truth, including sexual abuse perpetrated by Jeong Myeong Seok. A recording reveals that some JMS members in Hong Kong tried to prevent Maple from appearing in the film.
On February 25, 2022, Maple arrives in South Korea to testify about the sexual violence she experienced. She is followed throughout her stay, and the pressure she gets from the JMS followers is overwhelming. Maple receives threats, and the JMS followers warn her of massive consequences if she proceeds with her plan to expose the cult’s wrongdoing. The JMS sect was established in 1980 and dominated the campus. At that time, no other church had many students, making JMS almost like heaven to the educated. JMS became a popular religion among college students in the 1990s.
The Sinopsis & Review In The Name of God: A Holy Betrayal provides a powerful account of religious betrayal, manipulation, and sexual abuse. Through the character of Maple, the series reveals how cult leaders can twist beliefs, personalities, and aspirations of young people. In The Name of God: A Holy Betrayal is a reminder of the dangers posed by religious sects around the world, especially those that propagate hate, discrimination, and oppression in the name of God. Ultimately, the series shows us the importance of discernment, skepticism, and critical thinking when it comes to religious beliefs.
