See How Korean Action Series ‘Bloodhounds’ Packs a Punch Behind The Scenes

From rivals to allies. Bromances to brutal battles.

Premiering this Friday on Netflix, Bloodhounds follows the journey of two young boxers, portrayed by Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi, as they join forces against a notorious loan shark preying on the poor.

Adapted from a webtoon by Jung Chan, the action series centers on boxing to deliver a powerful and fast-paced narrative. “Powerful hits are crucial in creating an action series with a fast tempo," said director Jason Kim, known for his work on action hits like Midnight Runners and The Divine Fury. "The action scenes in this series are five times more intense than those in Midnight Runners."

To Kim, the keyword is authenticity as he ensured that no shortcuts were taken both on and off set. The result: an eight-episode series that pulls no punches, as revealed in an exclusive behind-the-scenes featurette.

Getting into character

To make it even more realistic, the actors went through intensive training to prepare for their roles.

Woo, who portrays rookie boxer Kim Gun-woo, prepared his own meals every day and tried to eat four meals a day. "I trained extensively before and after filming, gaining about 10kg,” he explained. “I believe viewers will notice the changes in my physique throughout the series."

For Lee, Bloodhounds marks his first foray into the action genre. Playing southpaw (left-handed) boxer Hong Woo-jin, he trained extensively for his left-handed stance, and followed a strict diet of brown rice, chicken breast, sriracha sauce and zero-sugar soda.

"I never went to the gym so diligently in my life until now," he enthused. "I felt as if I had become an athlete.”

Beyond the adrenaline-pumping action, Bloodhounds showcases the chemistry between the two main characters, mirroring their off-screen friendship. “We are closer than real siblings. I really count on him,” said Woo.

The hard work invested in the production shines through in the series' physical and emotional peaks. One standout moment, cherished by stunt choreographer Park Young-sik, is a nail-biting showdown between the two protagonists and one of the show's primary adversaries.

"The scene where Gun-woo and Woo-jin fight against In-beom, two against one, for the first time is the most representative scene in Bloodhounds,” explained Park. “We designed the combat sequence, focusing on the story of two youths combining forces to conquer an insurmountable obstacle.”

Catch the action on ‘Bloodhounds’ only on Netflix.