This review may contain spoilers
Packed with action, bromance, and thrill!
I absolutely devoured this show! It was heart-racing level of good! Full of adrenaline! Small spoilers towards the end.Geon Woo meets Woo Jin as rivals in a boxing match but they quickly become friends. Geon Woo's mother falls for a loan scam and thus starts the journey of both men trying to take on a dangerous group of men.
The bromance is impeccable and fun with a bit of jokes thrown in here and there. It reminded me a bit of Midnight Runners. Though Bloodhounds has a lot of violence and blood and a bit of torture. I had to speed up some of those parts but mostly I was filled with an adrenaline rush as the show went on.
Episode 6 made me anxious and I was sweating. So be prepared for that. It's not a very easy watch.
There is no romance in this series. It's pure grit and testosterone. But they didn't forget to add some badass females. I was delighted by them not simply depicting women as helpless or eye-candy. Nope. You'll love them!
I only have two small issues but it's not something that would make me like this show any less.
SPOILER
- Why did they (writers) send Hyeon Joo away? I was so ready for her to be there at the end.
- The ease with which Kim Myung Gil kills the deadliest killers felt a bit of a stretch. Especially since he says he was scared of them.
SPOILER FREE
This series deserves at least a one time watch. Especially if you saw Woo Do Hwan in Joseon Attorney, then watch him in this different avatar in Bloodhounds. He is spectacular!
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SO GOOD
Man I didn’t know what to expect watching this show but one thing for sure is that it frustrates you…A LOT!So many things happen at once that at some points I needed to pause the show and take a breather. Definitely another exhausting watch but in a good way! It tires you out along with the characters, you’re not the only one fed up with everything, so are the characters and that’s what makes you connect with the characters.
I was hoping for a cliffhanger so it could hint at another season because seriously the main characters’ chemistry is no joke. Both of them worked so well together and I wish they would play more roles together!
On another note, the ending was extremely satisfying. Even though it was frustrating, everything paid off in the end. Seriously great kdrama!
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This review may contain spoilers
A Top Kdrama of 2023
This kdrama has become probably one of my favourites of all time! I was a bit unsure when I first began watching, but as a fan of Woo Dohwan, I figured I'd see if I liked it.The storyline throws you right into the mess in the first episode which was a bit of a shocker, but it worked well with the production of the show. I really enjoyed seeing a drama where it focused on friendship without having side-plot romance. Gunwoo and Woojin's friendship and as people on tiktok say "bromance" was really comforting to watch develop and strengthen throughout. I also really liked how Gunwoo's character wasn't your typical "mafia-esque" male lead; I liked how he was kind-hearted even to those on Myeongil's side, and that he never became this rugged criminal that's happened in many other shows I've watched. It was nice to see a balance with Gunwoo and Woojin, where Gunwoo is more reserved and soft-spoken, Woojin is more extroverted and sarcastic.
Overall this series was amazing and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys revenge dramas. There is a decent amount of gore so watch at your own discretion, but my rating is a 9.5/10
Ps. Du-yeong's death broke me
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Terrible Writing Packaged with Good Action
LIKES:Action right in first episode
Decent fight scenes
Writing:
No romance thrown in, because it didn’t need it.
The bad guys didn’t upgrade to guns.
The bromance between Gun Woo and Woo Jin was fun and heartwarming.
I liked the young archery character and her dynamic with the two boxers.
Production:
for the most part was good, sometimes zooming camera in too close, but at least shaky camera wasn’t noticeable.
Music:
was fitting, but no song stood out.
Cast:
well selected and I love that Woo Do-Hwan is a main lead. (Both boxers were delightful eye candy!)
FX:
blood and scars were decent.
DISLIKES:
FX:
the stitches looked to be done by a butcher and not a medical professional. Some of the facial damage, like broken noses were omitted. The big facial scars should’ve been a little more raw looking, compared to what was shown.
Directing:
Pro criminals not noticing a car tail gating them on an empty highway and following them every turn they make?
The elite bad guys seem to be able to handle a lot of force on their heads, which throws the realism of the fights out the window.
Writing:
A few characters we need more information on what happened to them, especially at the end. However I understand why they had to get rid of Kim Sae Ron’s character due to the actress’s DUI, but the way it was done made no sense due to the character that was created up until that point.
The whole Marines part about the two boxers: Marines are trained in hand to hand knife fighting and many other weapons. The South Korean military are trained in Teukgong Moosool. Their characters knowledge and skills therefore very lacking.
Criminal element was very unrealistic, especially since the master villain gets defeated by two young boxers. Also all the masters (the brains and brawn) get defeated so simplistically, which made for a disappointing conclusion for their characters.
A lame plot was covered by violence.
Pacing issues:
Ending felt rushed, but they had plenty of extended drinking moments. Time could’ve been used better.
OVERALL: The fitness level that the main actors had to achieve was awesome. This should've been an action movie and not a series. It's fun to watch for the fights, but don't expect anything from plot. I don't need to watch it again, maybe just clips of the 2 boxers (lol), I would recommend it for fight scenes and action only.
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This review may contain spoilers
Bromance is so important that is what kept it going. The action scenes were my favourite especially when it was 2 against 100 and yet still won when the opposition was using weapons that I rewatch it many times if I need a pick up. The story was intriguing and kept me glued to the point even my siblings who hate kdrama also watched it as well. It shows what is power exploitation and the lengths these characters will go to. It made me cry at times, especially at 6 but also made me laugh with the 2 cousins who made my day. Was this review helpful to you?
Show Casting
The casting in this show was phenomenal. Very action packed and 100% worth the watch. I highly recommend this show.Such amazing actors, visuals, script writing and Veryy action packed. ??
I would recommend this show to anyone who loves action and boxing plus very hot actors. It is a phenomenal experience for someone who has never seen an action worthy Kdrama. This show will keep you on the edge of your seat so much suspension and craziness all in one show.
This is a no skip episode type of show.
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This drama hit me when I least expected it (kinda felt it coming tho...).
This drama was really, really good. The storyline was great (some parts could've been left out) and the characters were good too. I loved the ending actually, and think they did a pretty good job.There are some parts I don't want to talk about, cause they hurt me. Like, I cried my eyes out during a certain episode and I'm still not over it (unnecessary!).
Will definitely rewatch this drama again!
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Great watch! Will not disappoint
I'm not someone that likes action that much, nor do I like gore, but this series deserves a good review.Things that especially deserve praise:
First of all, the fighting sequences were top class ? amazingly executed, they'll keep you on edge. You just cannot deny how good those scenes were.
Second, the acting. The main leads were amazing, the bromance between them was very natural. The actor that plays Geonhoo has such delicate expressions, you can see the happiness, fear, anger, passion – everything clearly in his eyes. The other actors were good too.
Things that I personally don't like:
1. Quite a lot of gore. Sometimes it even felt like it was too much for no reason lol like they even showed little things like drawing blood during a blood donation very graphically. And obviously everything else was much worse, I couldn't watch. So yeah very graphic display of blood and injuries, be warned.
2. Since this isn't a favoured genre of mine, I was pretty distracted during most of the discussion scenes. I'm not very good at paying attention to those long serious talks and discussion of plans by the good guys and the bad guys. And there's quite a lot of that in this series so I was often lost on the plot and just let myself figure out what's going on as it went on. I actually thought I wouldn't like this series for that reason, but the story and acting kept me hooked later on.
It's not a series that one would re-watch though, although I can see people rewatching just the fighting scenes haha
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Bloody brilliant!
A little late to the party, but I'm still glad I watched this drama. For starters, I love action series with a pinch of drama. It was refreshing to see Woo Do Hwan in the role of a boxer who fights for his family and the people he loves. The first series I watched with him was the drama "tempted" or "the great seducer", it depends on how accurate the English translation is. I didn't write a review for that drama because I'm still in doubt whether I liked it or not, but I have to say that I remembered him and his way of acting. In "Bloodhounds" I was really captivated by his innocent look and sensitivity that I had to keep watching. Plus seeing him as a boxer holding his heart in his hands was really emotional and wonderful.The bromance is real! He and Lee Sang Yi were a pairing that I never expected to love so much and I really hope that I will have the chance to see them together again. If not, I can rewatch the drama all over again haha.
As for the story, it’s a typical story of revenge for one's family, which was wronged by a criminal. I'm not saying it's bad, I love such stories and watch them no matter how many times it’s repeated, but here's what really bothered me. I had the impression that the writers helped the criminals more than the good guys. I know that sometimes there is karma and sometimes something happens that you didn't expect, but it really seemed to me that the criminals had everything delivered on their plate, while the good guys struggled until the end.
But all in all, it was an amazing drama that I watched in one day and I'm saddened that it's so short. I would like more!
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This review may contain spoilers
Goofy & Cute Male leads, Bromance and Beating tons of gangsters at the same time Still like it!
I like it! If you watch it for entertainment then it is perfect BUT it also has lots of plotholes and You can find faults in the story...Like some things are really funny and not practical at all... no one is that clumsy or thoughtless the way they show both of the main characters...
BUT overall if you put practical & logical mind aside, it is one of the good action series.
The casting is good, Both of the main leads, Kim Geon Woo & Hong Woo Jin, Mr. Choi's character, and all the supporting characters did a good job with their acting...
The action scenes were not natural or practical... No matter how good Boxer you are you just can't beat tons of fighters who only kill or beat... It's just not practical... some fight scenes remind me of "My Name" BUT not too much.
One more thing the elders teach the kids how to fight with knives in a day... IN A DAY! LOL... they are boxers, not a robot... come on?
When you know who you fighting, you only defeat two of his man and NOT kill them... and then you just Chill & celebrate instead of planning your next move... WTF You know he is a loan shark, who has people in his pocket and you are just a boxer... ohh come on!?
AND when you are a professional Bloodhound before Lee Doo Young you leave your family photo in that place while your wife is pregnant and Hwang Yang Jung goes to his cafe like a regular Friday.... what do you expect?
I like the main leads friendship the most... They became friends very naturally... The duo has a perfect balance b/w a goofy and cute personality one talks non-stop and the other one listens.
I really really love Woo Do Hwan's character ? His innocent & cute character reminds me of his The King: Eternal Monarch Character Jo Eun-seob.
About Kim Hyeon Joo's character... She was like I will fight for people and all then she just RUN AWAY.. that too when his one and only family get murdered?
In starting they show her as a cold personality who wants what she wants but after Mr. Choi's death. She was like I can't handle it... I'm just a lit girl... I want peace... instead of revenge? That doesn't go with the personality she had before.
Overall it is worth watching once, I like it even tho some things were not practical. it's a fictional story so you can also put that aside.
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intense & unrelenting
battered and bloody is the heart in Bloodhounds, a truly shocking and grisly crime thriller that never lets up. throats and Achilles tendons are slashed, backs are broken, skin is pierced by knives and arrows, literal salt rubbed into wounds, just an unrelenting display of blood splattered cruelty and violence.but there is still a heart buried underneath so much carnage. this couldn't possibly be a success if not. it would just be male aggression, a bleak tale of predation and power with no hope in sight. but luckily it has two goobers who are also highly skilled boxers just trying to do good.
I would not watch this again!
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Can’t hardly go higher than 8 but it deserves all acknowledgment
I guess for most part of the series, everything is on point. The plot, the cast, the performances, the music (which people disagreed on). And then at some point it is like we are watching a different season. Not a different series but different season.It was disturbing because we needed that development of characters and all to come to this turning point, even tho I can understand why people and the director would find it unnecessary because… we can imagine it.
But it doesn’t help us to get engaged in the story of our characters anymore. I am not sure if another ending would have been better or if netflix said « well we can’t have a longer season » and they cut it out or if a second whole season woud have been needed.
As well… the ending itself (last 2 mns) are lacking « background storyline »… Fortunately we are only talking about 1 last episode tho which is why we are not giving less than 8 for the plot.
Also what is refreshing is that it is finally a series about brotherhood and only brotherhood. Also, we appreciate a lot the humor which is more subtle than what we usually see on kdramas.
What makes it hardly rewatchable is that we know the end. There is no surprise anymore.
But thanks to the incredible performances and the first plot we enjoyed it a lot.
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