7 Interesting Facts About the K-drama "Bloodhounds" That Will Leave You Awestruck

Even after a month since its release, the Netflix original series Bloodhounds continues to rank on the chart of Global Top 10 TV Shows on Netflix (non-English). 

Adapted from the webtoon of the same name by Jeong Chan, the action thriller unfolds amidst the backdrop of a pandemic, presenting a story of two boxers teaming up against a notorious loan shark whose power surpasses even that of the law.

As soon as it was released, the K-drama took Netflix by storm and started ranking on the "Top 10 on Netflix" charts from the very next day of its release (FlixPatrol). Its immense popularity speaks volumes about its captivating plot, electrifying action sequences, and stellar performances by the cast. 

In light of this, we compiled some of the most interesting facts about the show that are sure to leave to awestruck. From behind-the-scenes spills to jaw-dropping transformations, read on to find out what went into making the series that took Netflix by storm.  

1. Actress Kim Sae Ron's Controversy and Its Effect on Bloodhounds

Bloodhounds was a highly anticipated project ever since its announcement in 2021. With a solid story based on a webtoon, it boasted a star-studded lineup, including Woo Do Hwan, Lee Sang Yi, Kim Sae Ron, Park Sung Woong, and Heo Joon Ho. 

However, concerns arose when actress Kim Sae Ron caused an accident while driving under the influence in May last year, crashing into guardrails, transformers, and trees multiple times. "The crash damaged a transformer, which caused a power outage in numerous buildings in the surrounding area. Consequently, local businesses suffered financial losses."

Following a trial, she was fined 20 million KRW and, subsequently, dropped out of the projects she was scheduled to appear in. At that time, Bloodhounds, which was entering the final stages of filming, found itself in a difficult situation.

The production team of the K-drama started making plans to edit Kim Sae Ron's scenes. They made urgent efforts to exclude her from the main cast and temporarily suspended filming. 

Originally, Bloodhounds is a story about three young people who become entangled in the world of loan sharks and face Myunng Woo. 

The role played by Kim Sae Ron, Kim Hyeon Joo, as the successor to the renowned loan shark Choi Tae Ho (Heo Joon Ho), was an essential character for the story's development. Initially, the actress had a significant amount of scenes from episodes 1 to 6. And at one point in the drama, Woo Jin (Lee Sang Yi) was supposed to suffer an injury, and Geon Woo (Woo Do Hwan) and Hyeon Joo would lead the story until Woo Jin joins them. All three characters had significant roles to the extent that they could be considered protagonists.

However, the direction of the story was changed to make it look like it's about the two young men so that the audience wouldn't be discomforted by Kim Sae Ron's appearances. 

This necessitated a complete halt in production for an entire month, during which Director Kim took off to Jeju Island to rewrite the entire 80-page script. He reduced Kim Sae Ron's screen time, and her scenes were edited to reposition her as a supporting character.

Editing proved challenging because Hyeon Joo held a significant role in bringing down the illegal loan shark organization alongside Geon Woo and Woo Jin. Reshooting scenes to exclude Kim Sae Ron was not feasible since the sets had already been thrown out after filming. With most of the filming completed, editing a substantial portion of the footage seemed nearly impossible. Nonetheless, the director worked tirelessly to make the edits appear seamless and natural.

The situation was undoubtedly challenging as the halt also incurred additional costs, and the staff was pressed for time as the actors had commitments for their upcoming projects. However, Director Kim took full responsibility. 

Considering it was a project in which many people invested thousands of hours, he just couldn't bear to see the valuable work being ruined. Therefore, the staff "had to reorganize the locations and discard painstakingly prepared action scenes".

Director Kim commented, "I meticulously edited not only the latter part but also the previous parts. Some supporting actors disappeared entirely, which made me feel heartbroken and apologetic. While I can't say it was entirely my fault, I am preparing to create promising opportunities in the next project".

Despite the dire circumstances, the entire staff wholeheartedly dedicated themselves to completing the drama, and their efforts undeniably paid off. 

2. Director Kim Faced Health Complications

Director Kim took on the responsibility of both directing and writing the script for Bloodhounds. Having previously worked on films, it was his first venture into the drama world, and he confessed,  "To be honest, it's not easy to write an 8-episode drama, even with the source material (webtoon) present. While working on the 8-episode series, I experienced hair loss and even shaved my sideburns. I also developed colitis, which prevented me from consuming coffee or meat. And I was always looking for the bathroom on set. My tailbone also started to ache. Then, it was around mid-May in the morning when I received a text message (to read the article about Kim Sae Ron)". 

Naturally, the news of actress Kim Sae Ron further distressed him. He said, "After seeing the news, I was speechless". "Thoughts raced through my mind like bullets, and I was unable to gather myself." 

As previously mentioned, filming was paused for about a month, during which Director Kim started rewriting the script. And as the lead actors had commitments for future projects, he was under immense pressure, which took a toll on his body and mind.

He commented, "I continued writing while feeling dizzy and even occasionally threw up. However, even after the filming was completed, my body didn't recover. I pushed myself to the point of developing four cervical discs and dysautonomia. Despite the challenges, I put in my utmost effort to make revisions".

Director Kim, who also helmed Midnight Runners, commented about the difference in the amount of effort it takes for directing a series compared to a movie. He said, "Bloodhounds is equivalent to the length of three Midnight Runners films. Normally, the stamina is depleted after shooting around 50 film scenes, but with a series, you have to go through this cycle twice without a break. It's a process where you can't help but lose your health". 

3. Woo Do Hwan and  Lee Sang Yi's Physical Transformation Journeys

It is a well-known and appreciated fact that the lead actors of Bloodhounds underwent remarkable physical transformations for their roles. Actor Woo Do Hwan gained 22 pounds, while Lee Sang Yi diligently worked towards losing 6 kg and later regaining it for the latter part of the drama.  

Commenting on his journey, Woo Do Hwan said, "To build my physique, I packed my lunch box and ate four meals a day to gain 22 pounds, and, as a result, I could see my body gradually changing". He further revealed, "I made exercise an integral part of my daily routine, consistently working out for about 7-8 months before filming. It's not like my body went through some magical transformation. The only answer is to stay consistent". 

Lee Sang Yi, on the other hand, shared his approach to maintaining his weight, saying, "I slowly reduced my weight for the sake of my health, and my average weight was around 170 lbs. At the beginning of Bloodhounds, I reduced it to 156 lbs and maintained it. But for Episode 7, I had to bulk up, so I returned to my original weight by consuming 4-5 meals a day".

Elaborating on his training regimen, he continued, "Unlike in the past when going to the gym was merely a hobby, this time, I collaborated with a professional trainer. The goal was not just to achieve a good physique but also to match the role of an amateur boxer. I focused on weight loss and worked on my abs and shoulders accordingly. And as I am right-handed, it was also challenging to switch to boxing with my left hand".

The unwavering efforts of these actors shine through in Bloodhounds, testifying to the unyielding dedication, perseverance, and immense physical exertion they invested in bringing their characters to life. The scenes bear witness to the countless hours of hard work, determination, and blood, sweat, and tears that were poured into the production.

4. Actor Tae Won Seok Suffered Liver Damage

Not only the lead actors but also the actors in the supporting roles went all out for the drama. One such example worth mentioning is actor Tae Won Seok, who played Kim Myung Gil's henchman Kang In Beom.

During an interview with Netflix, Woo Do Hwan, and Lee Sang Yi expressed admiration for Tae Won Seok's tremendous work ethic. They revealed that actor Tae Won Seok went above and beyond for the production, intentionally gaining weight and "ate so much that his liver was damaged". They also revealed that he had "a hard time memorizing the coordinated moves", and alongside Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sang Yi, Tae Won Seok also got hit with real punches. 

The commendations from Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sang Yi reflect the immense respect they have for Tae Won Seok's commitment and the tremendous efforts he contributed to Bloodhounds.

5. Lee Sang Yi's First Action Production

Through Bloodhounds, Lee Sang Yi finally made his debut in the action genre, marking a new chapter in his acting career. The actor previously held lead roles in K-dramas like Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Youth of May, but never had a chance to venture into the action genre. Through his impressive performance in this action-packed production, he has already established himself as a promising action hero, showcasing his versatility and determination to excel in any role he takes on.

In an interview, the actor mentioned that the experience made him enjoy action and sparked a desire to do more of it. He shared an anecdote about asking the action team of Bloodhounds to rate the action on a scale of high, medium, or low, and they responded with "top-notch". 

An interesting fact worth noting is that the action sequences are all real. In the interview with Netflix, the actors emphasized there was no use of CGI. Actor Woo Do Hwan said, "Action is as real as it can get". Lee Sang Yi added, "It's very realistic. If you watch modern action productions, a lot of CGI goes into it. Many things happen like magic. We don't have any of that. I think that's what sets Bloodhounds apart". 

6. Park Sung Woong and Lee Hae Young's Behind-the-Scenes Stories About the Casting for Bloodhounds 

In the K-drama, Park Sung Woong delivered a standout performance as the main antagonist Kim Myung Gil, an illegal loan shark and CEO of Smile Capital. However, the actor was first offered the role of Hwang Yang Jung, President Choi's right-hand man.

During an interview, Park Sung Woong recalled, "At first, I was offered the role of Hwang Yang Jung, which was played by actor Lee Hae Young. When I read the script, Hwang Yang Jung was cool, but I kept envisioning myself as Kim Myung Gil in my mind".

He added, "I thought I could do a really good job if I played that role, so I suggested playing Kim Myung Gil instead, saying, 'If it's not Kim Kim Myung Gil, I don't think I'll do it.' Surprisingly, they liked the idea and accepted my proposal".

Whereas, actor Lee Hae Young, who played the character Yang Jung, commented, "Originally, the role of Yang Jung was offered to actor Park Sung Woong. If Park Sung Woong hadn't played the role of Kim Myung Gil, I might not have had the chance to play Yang Jung".

Lee Hae Young went on to mention the decisive factor in his decision to join the cast - Director Kim's sincerity. He said, "I was so captivated by the script, and Director Kim Ju Hwan came to my neighborhood. His gaze conveyed an invitation to work together, and I felt a sense of trust".

7. Lee Do Hyun and Kwak Dong Yeon Were Offered the Lead Roles

According to sources, actors Lee Do Hyun and Kwak Dong Yeon were initially offered the lead roles in Bloodhounds back in 2021. At that time, Lee Do Hyun had established his strong presence after having held main roles in dramas like Sweet Home and Youth of May, whereas Kwak Dong Yeon was attracting attention with his performance in Vincenzo. The actors were up-and-coming stars, receiving numerous casting offers, including Bloodhounds. Following the reports, both the actors' agencies replied, saying that the actors are reviewing the offers. 

However, the casting decision took an unexpected turn, and ultimately, Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sang Yi were selected to portray the lead characters in the drama. While the initial choices would have undoubtedly brought their unique flair to the roles, the final decision to cast Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sang Yi proved to be an exceptional choice. These actors showcased their remarkable talent and delivered phenomenal performances, winning the hearts of audiences worldwide. 

Bonus: Park Seo Joon Appreciates Director Kim

On June 7, during a press conference before the drama's release, a question was posed to Director Kim comparing the bromance between Park Seo Joon and Kang Ha Neul in Midnight Runners with the bromance between Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sang Yi in Bloodhounds, asking which one is stronger. 

In response, Director Kim, without hesitation, chose Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sang Yi, which elicited laughter. Continuing, Director Kim expressed his affection for Midnight Runners with heartfelt words. He shared, "Actually, yesterday Seo Joon sent me a text saying, 'You worked hard.' It really touched me".

Which of these facts about the K-drama Bloodhounds surprised you the most?

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