CAST: Choi Siwan, Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi, Kim Sae-ron, Park Sung-woong,
DIRECTOR: Kim Joo-hwan
“Bloodhounds” stands tall among the cream of the crop regarding the original series that Netflix has brought to the screen.
In its riveting 8-episode arc, the series weaves the tale of Gun-woo and Woo-jin, erstwhile boxers who forge a bond of friendship. Their paths turn dark when Gun-woo’s mother is entangled in debt, having borrowed money from the sinister Smile Capitals. The malevolent Kim Myeong-gil, who runs the show at Smile Capitals, is a man who will stop at nothing to hold on to his throne of power.
When Gun-woo comes head-to-head with Myeong-gil, the encounter leaves him scarred both literally, with a lacerated face, and figuratively, with an unwavering resolve to prevent the loan shark from manipulating South Korea as his personal dominion. Woo-jin joins forces with Gun-woo in this crusade, and through their journey, they undergo a reawakening to the true essence of a ‘boxer’s heart.’ Spanning eight episodes, each clocking in at 40 minutes, the show may not be a brisk watch, but it captivates you enough to see it through to its conclusion.
Bloodhounds is sharp, succinct, and doesn’t dilly-dally, making it a series well worth your time. K-dramas often tend to leave audiences yearning for romantic storylines involving the protagonist, but Bloodhounds detours from romance, instead gifting fans with an unforgettable bromance.
The performances of Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi, who portray Gun-woo and Woo-jin, respectively, are commendable.
Their camaraderie takes root almost immediately, with a backdrop that they both are ex-Marines. The opening episode is a riot of laughter as the ebullient and comical Woo-jin crosses paths with the reserved and clumsy Gun-woo, laying the foundation for the tonality of the series. Bloodhounds adeptly infuses emotional depth and drama when required but never loses its humorous and entertaining edge, making it an engaging, action-laden spectacle.
While the show does walk a fine line by making the world of crime seem appealing, it must be acknowledged that the inclusion of characters like Yang-jung and Du-yeong tremendously enhances the narrative. What sets this series apart is that Myeong-gil is no ordinary villain oblivious to his adversaries. He possesses an astute understanding of President Choi, predictably anticipating his next move. This adds a thrilling dynamic to the chase, keeping us on tenterhooks about the unfolding of events.
The show’s original soundtrack doesn’t quite hit the mark as one might expect; we’ve seen Netflix deliver superior audio backdrops in shows like My Name and Sweet Home. However, Bloodhounds doesn’t have many shortcomings to highlight, except perhaps the idealized portrayal of Gun-woo’s character.
Despite this, Bloodhounds delivers an impressively balanced mix of action, comedy, and melodrama, among other elements. The K-drama alternates between leaving you in stitches from laughter and plunging you into emotionally intense episodes that could leave you in pieces.
This could very well be recognized as Lee Sang-yi’s breakthrough performance, and after witnessing his chemistry with Woo Do-hwan in this show, we’re certainly left yearning to see more of this dynamic duo!
Streams on Netflix
