Bloodhounds (사냥개들): Cast, Filming Locations, and Season 2 Updates

Bloodhounds (사냥개들) is a South Korean action drama series that took Netflix by storm when it premiered on June 9, 2023. Directed by Kim Joo-hwan, known for his work on “Midnight Runners,” this high-octane series is based on the popular Naver webtoon of the same name by Jeong Chan. The show follows two young boxers who enter the dangerous world of loan sharks to fight against financial corruption and protect their loved ones.

The first season became a massive international hit, ranking in Netflix’s Top 10 across 83 countries and securing the 9th position among the most popular K-dramas on Netflix in 2023. Its success can be attributed to its compelling storyline, intense action sequences, and the undeniable chemistry between its lead actors.

Season 1 Cast: The Powerhouse Ensemble

The strength of Bloodhounds lies in its stellar cast, each bringing depth and authenticity to their characters.

Main Cast of Bloodhounds

Woo Do-hwan as Kim Geon-woo: Woo Do-hwan delivers a powerful performance as Kim Geon-woo, a promising young boxer with a heart of gold. His character dreams of becoming a champion to provide a better life for his single mother. When his mother falls victim to a ruthless loan shark organization, Geon-woo must navigate the dangerous underworld while maintaining his moral compass. Woo Do-hwan’s previous work includes “The King: Eternal Monarch” and “Mr. Plankton.”

Lee Sang-yi as Hong Woo-jin: Lee Sang-yi brings charisma and humor to the role of Hong Woo-jin, a former marine and fellow boxer who becomes Geon-woo’s closest friend. His character adds levity to the intense drama while showcasing unwavering loyalty and bravery. The bromance between Geon-woo and Woo-jin became one of the show’s most beloved elements. Lee Sang-yi has since appeared in popular dramas like “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha,” “My Demon,” and “No Gain No Love.”

Park Sung-woong as Kim Myeong-gil: Park Sung-woong portrays the series’ primary antagonist, Kim Myeong-gil, the ruthless leader of Smile Capital, a predatory loan shark organization. His chilling performance brings to life a villain driven purely by greed and power, making every scene he’s in crackling with tension.

Huh Joon-ho as Mr. Choi: Veteran actor Huh Joon-ho plays Mr. Choi (Choi Tae-ho), a benevolent moneylender with a complex past who was once considered a legend among loan sharks. Now reformed, he helps those in financial distress by lending money with no interest, serving as a mentor figure to the young protagonists.

Supporting Cast of Bloodhounds

The series also featured Kim Sae-ron, Choi Si-won (Super Junior member) as Hong Min-beom, the director of Lil Group, Lee Hae-yeong, Ryu Soo-young, Choi Young-jun, and Tae Won-seok in supporting roles that enriched the narrative tapestry.

It’s worth noting that actress Kim Sae-ron was involved in a DUI incident during filming in May 2022, which led to her departure from the series. Her character’s storyline was adjusted in the final episodes, though most of her scenes had already been filmed.

Filming Locations of Bloodhounds

Bloodhounds was filmed primarily in South Korea, with most scenes shot in and around Seoul, the nation’s vibrant capital. Principal photography commenced in December 2021 under the working title “Hunting Dogs” and concluded in June 2022.

Seoul: The Heart of Production

The production team utilized various locations throughout Seoul to create the show’s gritty, realistic atmosphere. While specific studio facilities were used for interior action sequences and controlled environments, the series made extensive use of Seoul’s diverse urban landscape for exterior shots.

Notable Seoul Landmarks Featured

The series showcased numerous iconic Seoul locations that eagle-eyed viewers might recognize:

Bukchon Hanok Village: This traditional Korean village with its preserved hanok houses provided atmospheric backdrops
National Museum of Korea: One of the country’s premier cultural institutions
National Folk Museum: Offering historical context and architectural beauty
Gyeongbokgung Palace: Seoul’s grandest royal palace, a symbol of Korean heritage
Seoul Museum of Art: Adding contemporary cultural dimensions
Myeongdong Cathedral: A Gothic-style landmark in the heart of the city
Seoul Olympic Park: Providing expansive outdoor settings
Wongaksa Pagoda: A historic monument adding depth to the cityscape
Seoul Forest: Offering natural settings within the urban environment

These locations not only provided visual authenticity but also grounded the story in Seoul’s contemporary reality, making the characters’ struggles feel immediate and relatable to both Korean and international audiences.

Bloodhounds Season 2: What We Know So Far

Following the overwhelming success of the first season, Netflix officially confirmed Bloodhounds Season 2 on January 16, 2024, much to the delight of fans worldwide.

Returning Cast Members of Bloodhounds 2

Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi are reprising their beloved roles as Kim Geon-woo and Hong Woo-jin, respectively. Their powerful friendship and on-screen chemistry were central to the first season’s success, and fans can expect more of their dynamic partnership in the upcoming installment.

Choi Si-won (Super Junior) is also returning as Hong Min-beom, the director of Lil Group, continuing his character’s story arc.

Exciting New Additions of Bloodhounds 2

The most anticipated addition to Season 2 is Jung Ji-hoon, better known as Rain, the legendary K-pop star and actor. Rain will be playing Baek-jeong, the formidable antagonist who runs a global underground boxing league. This marks Rain’s first villain role in his 20-year acting career, creating significant buzz among fans. Baek-jeong is described as possessing overwhelming power, capable of defeating even world boxing champions, and will stop at nothing to drag the promising boxer Geon-woo into his dark world.

Hwang Chan-sung from the boy band 2PM has joined the cast in a lead role, marking his first leading role on Netflix. Additionally, Lee Si-eon has been confirmed as part of the ensemble, with reports suggesting cameo appearances from DEX and Park Seo-joon.

Bloodhounds Season 2 Plot and Themes

After successfully dismantling the heinous loan shark ring in Season 1, Geon-woo and Woo-jin face a new challenge. Season 2 will follow the duo as they confront a global underground boxing league led by the ruthless Baek-jeong. The stakes are higher, the fights are bigger, and the moral dilemmas more complex as our heroes navigate this shadowy world of illegal boxing.

The series will continue exploring themes of justice, loyalty, friendship, and standing up against corruption, while delivering the intense action choreography and emotional depth that made the first season a phenomenon.

Production Timeline and Release Date

Filming for Season 2 began in September 2024, with production expected to wrap in April or August 2025, according to various reports. Director Kim Joo-hwan returns to helm the second season, ensuring continuity in style and vision.

While Netflix hasn’t announced an official release date, industry analysts predict the series could premiere sometime in late 2025 or early 2026, following the typical post-production timeline for K-dramas of this scale and complexity.

What Fans Can Expect

Based on early reports and casting announcements, Season 2 promises to deliver:

More high-octane boxing action with even more elaborate fight choreography
Deeper exploration of the underground boxing world on a global scale
Rain’s highly anticipated villain performance, bringing a fresh dynamic to the series
The continued bromance between Geon-woo and Woo-jin that captured hearts worldwide
Higher stakes and more intense moral challenges for our protagonists
The signature blend of action, drama, and emotional storytelling that defined Season 1

Why Bloodhounds Became a Global Phenomenon

The success of Bloodhounds can be attributed to several factors that resonated with audiences worldwide:

Authentic Action: The series featured meticulously choreographed fight sequences that felt raw and realistic, with actors performing many of their own stunts.

Compelling Characters: The protagonists weren’t just fighters; they were fully realized characters with genuine motivations, vulnerabilities, and growth arcs.

Timely Themes: The exploration of financial exploitation and the struggles of ordinary people against predatory lending practices struck a chord, particularly in the context of economic hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bromance: The genuine friendship and mutual support between Geon-woo and Woo-jin provided emotional depth and became one of the show’s most celebrated aspects.

Outstanding Performances: From the leads to the supporting cast, every actor brought their A-game, creating a believable and immersive world.

Conclusion

Bloodhounds established itself as one of Netflix’s most successful Korean action dramas, combining pulse-pounding action with heartfelt storytelling and social commentary. As fans eagerly await Season 2, the return of beloved characters along with exciting new additions like Rain promises an even more thrilling ride.

The series has proven that K-dramas can successfully blend multiple genres—action, crime, drama, and bromance—while maintaining emotional authenticity and delivering powerful messages about justice and friendship. With Season 2 on the horizon, Bloodhounds continues to demonstrate the global appeal and exceptional quality of Korean television productions.

Whether you’re a fan of intense action sequences, compelling character relationships, or stories about standing up against corruption, Bloodhounds offers something special. As the production continues and more details emerge, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be another knockout season of this extraordinary series.