Netflix hit action show 'Bloodhounds' returns with bigger fights

Actors Woo Do-hwan, left, and Lee Sang-yi pose during a press conference for Season 2 of Netflix series "Bloodhounds" in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

The Netflix action hit series “Bloodhounds,” which captured global attention with its raw, pulse-pounding fights and the story of two rookie boxers taking on a ruthless loan shark empire, returns three years later, bigger, bolder and more explosive.

In Season 2, the series steps into the world of a global illegal boxing league, bringing more intense action and deeper emotional payoff. Gun-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi) once again find themselves battling a corrupt world ruled by money and violence — only this time, the fight takes them into the high-risk arena of underground international boxing.

“Season 2 is about the two main characters meeting new adversaries and fighting more fiercely than before,” director Jason Kim said during a press conference at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel Tuesday.

A scene from Season 2 of Netflix series "Bloodhounds" / Courtesy of Netflix

“While preparing for the new season, I wanted to build on the elements fans loved most in Season 1 — the fresh boxing action and the strong bromance — and make them even more powerful and gripping,” he added.

Director Kim explained that choosing an underground boxing league as the new setting stemmed from his ongoing interest in exploring moral struggles through combat.

“Season 1 was set during the pandemic and told the story of boxers fighting loan sharks,” he said. “For Season 2, I wanted to delve deeper into the conflict between money and humanity, and ‘global boxing’ felt like the perfect vehicle to explore that theme.”

Back with even stronger chemistry, Gun-woo and his loyal friend and former Marine Woo-jin face a new nemesis: singer-actor Jung Ji-hoon, better known as Rain, stepping into his first-ever villain role. Viewers are eager to see whether the duo can land another knockout performance against their most formidable rival yet.

Singer-actor Rain in a scene from Netflix series "Bloodhounds" Season 2 / Courtesy of Netflix

Woo, who plays the righteous and steadfast boxing champion, said returning to the role after three years felt like “truly an honor.” Lee, for whom “Bloodhounds” marks his first series with multiple seasons, added, “When we filmed Season 1, I never imagined a second season would happen. Hearing about the renewal made me proud that our work was recognized.”

Rain joins the cast as Baek-jeong, cold-blooded architect of the underground boxing league and operator of the Iron Knuckle Fighting Championship. Known for his immense power and feared even by world champions, Baek-jeong stands as the duo’s most formidable foe yet.

Taking on his first villain role, Rain admitted the challenge was both intimidating and exciting. “Playing a villain felt burdensome, but I’d always wanted to take on an evil role at least once,” he said. “After meeting director Kim, I decided to let go of my usual acting standards and dive in.”

He shared that Kim’s detailed direction helped him shape the chilling character. “He told me my eyes should look cold even when I smile, and that my physique should be strong but not overly bulked up. It felt like being trained again after a long time — in a good way,” Rain said, laughing.

Woo hinted at new surprises in the sequel. “At the end of Season 1, I wondered if there was any action left in me to show. But as we prepared for Season 2, I realized there’s still much more I can deliver. Please look forward to it,” he said, raising expectations for the series.

Season 2 of “Bloodhounds” will premiere worldwide on Netflix on April 3.