Bloodhounds (2023)

I watched it for the plot...

While watching you can tell this was made by a film director. The cinematography is great, the fight scenes were awesome, the close up shots on Heo Joon Ho and the cop turned loan shark were fantastic. Now that I've used up all my adjectives, the weakness of this show is the plot. It seems to have a flow for 6 episodes then turns into a new show, almost a season 2 in episode 7 and 8. Understandably it is because they needed to edit around the lead actress, but if you don't know what happened you find a choppy plot.

The brotherhood between Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sang Yi was the best part of this series. I found myself wondering why directors haven't used that cute side of Do Hwan up to now. He's this big muscly man who can kill you with such gentleness in his eyes. The first introduction of his character sets the tone for how he acts and thinks towards the whole series. Sang Yi is a bit underused, he's comic relief and a screen partner that brings out Do Hwan's cuteness but we end up knowing nothing about him other than he is really loyal.

Heo Joon Ho and Park Sung Woong bring their A game as always. The former has always scared me since Come and Hug Me and in his one fight scene I thought he would win. Here the director understands that his strength is in his eyes and enhances that with every person he has a scene with. If I was watching PSW for the first time I would have hated him but I've seen him in roles where he's nice so that softened him for me. His ending was a bit anti climatic though but man, I have to hand it to him, he's doing those stunts at 50.

Finally, they really could have done without that chaebol subplot and given more to the boys. The most interesting bit for Gun Woo's development was when he asks if he's really become a bloodhound. The chaebol did nothing but whine and whinge the whole time he was on screen. He didn't deserve a bit of Gun Woo's kindness, and that while charity bit at the end was laughable.

TL;DR This show had potential but it drops the ball in the last stretch

Read More

The Story Pulls You In But...

The story of a boxer who's mom gets scammed by a big company and is left with a permeant scare ya know at first i was iffy but after the first or second episode i immediately got dragged in and absolute loved it if you are a fan of boxing or mma or even hand to hand combat this is definitely your show full of amazing story build and character development and anticipation that keeps you from leaving this show is really amazing!

Now let me get to one thing i didn't like about this show, The fact that all the killing happened on the good guys side i mean hell man they lost Tae Ho and Yang Jung who were definitely sad deaths for sure but with the death of Doo Young I Felt Utter Sadness and Disappointment the reason for my disappointment lies in the fact that Geon Woo and Yoo Jin dont kill anyone for example when they had in beom down in the bookstore they should have finished him off i know it was about keeping the boxers heart but by them leaving him alive gave to many opportunity for him to come back and there is no such thing is boxers heart when someone hurts your momma so ultimately the deaths were caused by the main charcters own self pride and sustainability but caused a father to die in front of his wife to me its just not logical to have had In Beom Get beaten than left then beaten then left then beaten again i mean really just not logical.

Other Than That It Was Defintly A Good Watch Not Gonna Rewatch But a Good Inital Watch!

Read More

Friendship Goals

I love fighting and car chases in shows and this drama is no exception, the scenes were so exciting especially the training montage in episode 5.
I love the bromance between Gun Woo and Woo Jin, they always have eachothers back and would die for eachother, god I want this friendship.

Episode 6 had no chill I wasn't able to grief anyone's death. Doo Young and Yang Jung could have overthrown them but they were caught off guard, I expected Mr Choi to die since he is old but damn not that brutal. I knew something bad was going to happen when Doo Young announced he was going to be a father and the wholesome drinking montage.

I understand the actress career is basically dead after the DUI but I really liked her character in the show sure she was annoying at the start but the more she was around the more likeable she was.

I feel like after episode 6 it was a bit of a drag, a new grandfather and granddaughter duo that no offence wasn't really necessary it was alright but they could have introduced the granddaughter earlier, I kind of shipped Woo Jin with Mr Oh's granddaughter but then again they could be more like siblings.
I feel like it should have more of a build up for the downfall of Myeong Gil it was very rushed. I wanted Myeong Gil to suffer.

I was so confused during one of the scenes in episode 8 when the guy got poisoned, the stabbing and the girl that got hit with a truck (which was an utterly jumpscare XD).

Read More

One of the best action and revenge drama of the year.

I'm more than familiar with Woo Do Hwan as an actor, he's the one who made me check out this series and I don't regret it.

I would like to say that a lot of k-dramas tends to fall too much into the cheesy cliché when it comes to good people supporting each other to accomplish a goal/revenge (example Mad Dog, Taxi Driver S2), the interactions just become superficial and predictable, good storyline is replaced by humour.

Here, the series had the perfect balance between emotion, action and intensity with humor and the relationships between the characters.

Woo Do Hwan here is showing how much he is one of the most promising young actors in South Korea, his acting of a good kid wanting to protect his loved ones was embodied perfectly, we really feel for him. But I have to say, it wouldn't have been the same without Lee Sang Yi completing him. The two have shown us a very strong friendship, which goes beyond social expectations and is based entirely on the instant friendship and familiar feeling they got toward each other since they've met. Their moments of support have been truly admirable. Woo Do Hwan making us feel like he needed Lee Sang Yi, his hyung. They supported each other until the end.

Park Sung Woong was a perfect antagonist, just the right amount of annoyance, complexity and substance. A real psychopath.

As for Kim Sae Ron, I was surprised when she abruptly left the show after Lee Sang Yi's life was in the balance, without really saying goodbye, but I guess it make sense for her to fulfill her grandfather's wish by going in Italy, I would have hoped for it to be written better.

Speaking of writing, the script is just awesome, it's simple but intense, the fighting choreographies are very realistic, I felt really engaged in the story. And for once the police are quite effective and the nepo kid is likeable. So what more could you ask for ?

I just hope to see Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sang Yi on the same screen one day, they have great chemistry.

I recommend this series without hesitation.

Read More

NO GUNS, ONLY BOXING JABS

This lesson is for people not to borrow money from the loan-sharks. full packed action, great fighting skills, amazing collaboration between actors, and good plots. Geon-Woon (Woo Do-Hwan) was capable to punch men right on the face, a kind-heart amateur boxer fought against Woo-Jin in local ring, the two bonded together with a benevolent moneylender to take down a ruthless loan shark who preys on the financially desperate people. Story began when Geon Woon's pitiful mom borrowed money from a loan-shark and got attack because she couldn't pay back the money she borrowed, in order to save her Geon Woon need to get money to pay them back, with the help of Woo-Jin's connection he got a job as a bodyguard with 2 years advance pay to paid off mom's debt. His job was to watch over his employer's grand daughter that has been watching the operation of syndicate thief as they used it to taking loans using homeless men's ID.

Apparently the operation connected to bigger scale of loan sharks. People they care died as they saw it to find justice for them. Don't see gun use in the drama, lots of hit punch jabs, which is awesome. Woo Do-Hwan built as tough as a boxer but his bright smiles proved his naive character, innocent young men who would fight to powerful loan-shark just because.

Skills and fight were real.

Read More

Pretty weak characters, Pretty good plot

Pretty solid writing on the plot, but weak writing with the way they handle the characters and their relationships. It's like they hung a few personality and character traits and let it carry the whole 8 episodes. Like okay, Woojin is a cheap Marine nerd and Gun-woo is your typical hero MC who's poor with a heart of gold. No other background to Woojin whatsoever even if he's supposed to be one of the two main characters. Their friendship is very steady and was never put to the test. The pace is terrific for me to keep watching despite having pretty weak character writing or development. I did not cry when anyone died except Dokyeon (?), who locked his wife in the room and was expecting a son in two months. Myeon-gil is one of the biggest bastards I've seen in any drama ever. Ugh.

Read More

Good action show, i would surely recommend

As i said the show was good ,it has friendship, fun, fight ,frustration all of that in it .The show started good but cuz of bad story line it wasn't that interesting
°things i liked
1.good action scenes though sometime unnatural but comparing to other shows they were good
2. The friendship among main leads ,mr.cho and his friend
3. That little comedy, i personal liked it
4. The whole show in general ,

° things i didn't liked
1. The storyline it's just straight off stupid and basic a lot of things just don't make sense ,they were gang members but still left so many proofs for the villan side like be fr ,there nothing that will make you go ohh i didn't accepted it , a very basic story line , the ending eps and how quickly they got caught
2. Exist of hyunju ,let's be she was the last person who would leave quietly ,her exist was just not properly done , i was expecting her to cb somewhere ,like till the end i thought they would show something but they didn't
3. The over done of action scenes , it was sort of too much not to mention a lot of them were totally unrealistic like the last fight with that old dude also the way that beom dude keep coming back
4. Geonwoo's character i don't hate him but they just made him look like stupid ,yes u have a big heart so you would stop using your brian ,even in last how they handled the glod to that dude was a stupid decision ,like this dude took plenty stupid decision
The show in general is good u like fight action show so i'll say it's good not big on storyline but its a show you can watch till last ep for me it's not something i would watch again but if you haven't watched the show i would definitely recommend it

Read More

the right dose of adrenaline and heartwarming connections

Bloodhound is a gripping 8-episode Netflix original Kdrama that delivers an exhilarating blend of action, crime, and thriller genres. Woo Do-Hwan, in his first acting role since his military enlistment, once again showcases his exceptional talent, portraying a tender, caring yet fierce character that captures the audience's hearts. Additionally, the presence of seasoned actor Heo Jun-Ho adds depth and gravitas to the series.

The story revolves around two young boxers who find themselves drawn into the perilous world of private loans in pursuit of financial gain. However, the heart of Bloodhound lies not in its depiction of boxing, but rather in the profound friendship that develops between the two protagonists. Both characters share a common sincerity and moral conviction, fighting against unjust institutions because it is the honorable thing to do. Even when their mentor figures reveal a checkered past, they remain protectors, committed to atoning for their past sins.

From the very beginning, the plot and characters captivate the audience, keeping them glued to the screen throughout all 8 episodes. The series strikes a perfect balance between thrilling action sequences and compelling character development. The dynamic between the two main leads is particularly noteworthy, as they complement each other flawlessly, forming a strong and beautiful bond of friendship.

Bloodhound proves to be an exemplary Action/Crime/Thriller series, encompassing all the essential elements of a top-notch drama. Its simple yet effective premise is elevated by incredible character arcs, skillful direction, and outstanding performances from the entire cast. This Kdrama delivers on all fronts, leaving viewers exhilarated and satisfied by its intense storytelling and emotional resonance. For fans of Woo Do-Hwan and Kdrama enthusiasts alike, Bloodhound is a must-watch, serving up the right dose of adrenaline and heartwarming connections.

Read More

Action,well,more action!!!

This is near to perfection,great casts, great story and great acting skills. I like like one because everything seems great for me,i like the leads especially the SML. I think everyone delivered well,the villain too.

This drama is especially for people who love action very much. That's the reason why i was also drawn to it anyway.
But guess what,this one is more than just action,the story is pretty good too,not your average kinda action drama,where you don't even know what they're fighting about.

This drama has great bromance in it,not only between the leads. They met,hit off well and got each others back, and have great personality especially the SML.

There's no romance for those who might be expecting it,but it's probably good like that,i personally think this doesn't need any romance,the bromance is enough.

To finalize everything,the story is good, their friendship is perfect,the action scenes are great,and the who drama is exciting. so you can feel free and watch it,if you're a fan of all the above mentioned.

it's a 9 for me.

Read More

A 10 in 2023 dramas standards

*Entertainment: 8/10, in a slumpy(iPhone says skimpy) mood yet I didn’t look away too often
*Cast: 10/10, I especially loved how big actors played minor roles, most of those dudes can hold a 1ml role on their own easily
*Characters: 9/10, I didn’t like how easy they connected in one form or another, found each other or were long term enemies
But I also appreciated actors like siwon playing a “bad” person and joonho ahjussi playing a “nice guy” when both usually do the opposite
WDH; 1000/10, sad, happy, puppy face, strong, dark, pure hearted, every single emotion was conveyed beautifully. I do see my WDH as more of a serious if not even villainous persona but my precious convoys uwu well maybe he even got casted cuz of tkem and his adorable jo character
Gunwoo: 10/10 my precious he was sweet yet didn’t reach the pushover airheaded stage, he was sincere and had a heart of gold
LYS: 9.5/10 , he surprised me idk if I’ve seen him before but he certainly was different from his actual personality in I live alone. Tho I still can’t believe he’s just 1 year older than WDH🤣
Bromance: 10/10, I was kind of worried woojin would go rouge but🥺👍🏻
Soran: 4/10 tbh I actually didn’t vibe with her interpretation of the character, if that was hyunjoo’s webtoon personality she was miscasted, I’d imagine someone a bit rougher and still more playful tho saeron pull of emotion sadness well
Damon: 8/10 I was surprised by the actress cuz I didn’t recognize her, tho she also gave me IU vibes so it hit me in the feels well🥹😂
Plot: 7/10 it was sloppy sometimes as I said before it felt like a comic strip that didn’t translate well in a fast paced drama
Ending: 8/10, too picture perfect
Overall; eh I’ll be biased and say a 10 in 2023 dramas standards

Read More

Pretty typical action drama with a few highlights

What I was expecting when I started watching this drama was ultimately what I got, and that’s not a bad thing!

I don’t expect every single drama to have a long-lasting message for the audience. I understand that some dramas are made for the fun of it and this is definitely one of those. The story was similar to most action dramas where the main lead wants to get some sort of vengeance against those that wronged him, however, there were some aspects of this show that were a bit different that I liked.

First of all, as I’m sure most people will not argue, the strongest part of this show is the friendship between Gunwoo & Woojin. They were both extremely loyal to one another and never betrayed the other’s trust or y’know…died. Their bond was very sweet to watch and I appreciated the simplicity in it. Like they just understood each other and supported each other and that was that. Also, Woo Dohwan and Lee Sangyi had great chemistry together and I am not surprised that they are super close irl now. It helps that they aren’t bad to look at…just a little.

I also liked the fact that neither Woojin or Gunwoo were the standard brooding hero who showed no emotion. Gunwoo was extremely kind, loving, and honestly adorable at times lol. Woojin was also so funny, caring, and definitely gave off Golden Retriever energy. I have no problem with the typical male hero archetype, but it was nice to see a change up in this instance.

Setting this show during the peak of Covid was also a good idea to show how desperate people were for money and how others would take advantage of that. Not that that isn’t apparent at any time, but it was especially prevalent during Covid.

The flaws of this show for me is the lack of depth the majority of the characters had. Especially the antagonists. Like, I get that some villains are just evil to be evil but at least make them interesting??? I found the scenes centered around the bad guys to be pretty bland despite the great acting. I would just see them on screen and guess what they were going to do next which doesn’t bode well for your villain being engaging for the audience. Also some of the characters motivations just didn’t make sense to me? Like why was Inbeom so loyal to MyungGil? Why did Mr. Choi suddenly grow a conscious? Just a lot of nuance I felt could’ve been easily added but wasn’t.

The finale was also fine. Like it wasn’t bad but it wasn’t good. I was just kind of like oh? that’s it? alright.

Overall, this is a drama that doesn’t require a lot of brain power. Like you could probably look away for ten minutes and still know what was going on when you looked back. It was a fun time and I think it’s easy to enjoy. Definitely recommend if you are into action dramas, and even if you aren’t i do think Gunwoo & Woojin’s cute bromance is worth a watch.

Read More