New Delhi, April 10 "Bloodhounds" star Woo Do-hwan never thought that the Netflix drama and his character of a gentle yet fierce boxer, Kim Gun-woo, would receive so much love from fans, including in India.
He is now hoping that this support will help them secure a third season for the Korean show about two young boxers who meet in the ring as rivals but form a deep friendship outside, as they fight against bad guys – a loan shark in the first season and the host of an illegal online boxing tournament – side by side.
"I would like to thank everyone in India for their love and support for 'Bloodhounds'. I know it's not easy to show so much love and support for both seasons. It's thanks to your support that we were able to create something that's so fun and something we are so proud of," the actor told
"If you show as much love as you did for season one and two, then I can have some hope, maybe we can do a season three," he added.
Before "Bloodhounds", the first season of which premiered in 2023 after the pandemic and the second season earlier this month, Do-hwan was known for Korean dramas such as "Mad Dog", "Tempted", "My Country: The New Age", "Tempted", "The King: Eternal Monarch" and "Mr. Plankton".
However, the popularity of "Bloodhounds" is on a different level. The drama is currently trending at number three in India.
Do-hwan also believes that "Bloodhounds" is his most recognised work now.
"I didn't expect it to be so widely loved, especially for season one. I didn't think so many people would watch the show. And for season two as well, I didn't think people would love it as much as they loved the first season. So, honestly, I'm still surprised, and I'm just so thankful to everyone," said the 33-year-old actor.
"'Bloodhounds' is my most recognised and loved project. Everywhere I go, people mention 'Bloodhounds'. So, now I'm actively looking for a romantic role, and it's all thanks to you (fans)," he added.
When asked about the effort required to prepare for a physically demanding role like Gun-woo, Do-hwan said it was an intense four-month preparation.
"I lived as if I were a professional athlete every day," he added.
The series features Do-hwan alongside Lee Sang-yi, who plays his boxer friend Gun-woo's Wong Hoo-jin, as well as seasoned Korean star Rain (Jung Ji-hoon) as Im Baek-jeong, a money-hungry boxer who would go to any length to recruit Gun-woo.
"Bloodhounds 2" also features Choi Si Won reprising his role as Hong Min Beom, a real estate guy who helps the two boxers fight the bad guys, Yun Yu Sun as Gun-woo's mother, Hwang Chan Sung, Choi Young Joon and Tae Won Seok among others.
The guest appearances this season include Gong Myung, Park Seo Joon, Ha Young, Ryu Soo Young, Jo Hyun Jae, Choi Kwang Il and Kang Shin Il.
The fight sequences, which see his character go toe to toe with Rain's character and other baddies, were shot with security and safety in mind.
"We really went through a very intense round of rehearsals to portray those sequences," the actor said, adding that he loved the confrontation scenes between them.
His personal favourite is the scene where he tails his friends on a motorbike and rescues them after they are cornered at a godown.
"I like the scene where he gets off the bike and hits everyone on the ground. There are some funny elements in that scene, so I think it's more fun," he added.
Gun-woo is an unlikely K-drama hero, a gentle boxer who would go out of his way to not hurt anyone, but when he is pushed into a corner, he has no choice but to fight.
The actor said in real life, he is quite similar to his character.
"I really don't want anyone to get hurt, and I'm trying to live in a good way, go down the good path like Gun-woo," he added.
"Bloodhounds" is written and directed by Kim Joo-hwan. It is produced by Studio N and co-produced by Ghost Studio.