Bloodhounds Season 2

A follow-up that keeps the spirit

Good season. I’m a bit torn, I do think it kept the essence of the series, still felt grounded even though it had having some subtle surreal elements without going over-the-top (ahem, Taxi Driver, full shade).

But... I kind of regret that they spent… what, six episodes with Gunwoo mostly crying and then just showing up to fights, beating up some thugs, and repeating that cycle. I feel like he used to be more proactive than this. On the psychological angle, it does make sense, back in season 1, he just went with the flow and reacted to what happened to him. Now he has hindsight, carries guilt, trauma, and seeing people get hurt again reminds him of what he lost. I actually really like that aspect.

But I’m a bit frustrated that they leaned so much on other characters at either extremes, telling him to toughen up or coddling him. To me, Gunwoo’s charm is his resilience, his pure heart, he doesn’t give in to the criminals’ methods and keeps pushing forward even when he’s scared. I felt less of that here. They kind of made him give in into the whole ‘to stop a monster you must become one’. On another character, I wouldn’t have minded, but... this is Gunwoo. Dreaming of having the ‘heart of a boxer’.

Also, Woojin felt kind of nerfed, literally. I don’t mind him being retired as a coach, and I do think the fights (in general) were better choreographed and more realistic this season. But I expected him to play a more active role like in season 1. Back then, it really felt like he and Gunwoo were a team trying to set things right. Here, it felt more like Gunwoo did most of the fighting while Woojin struggled to keep up and sometimes even needed saving like a damsel in distress. In this season, I found myself just hoping Gunwoo would show up so the beatdowns would stop.

The end of the season does hint that in the eventuality of a 3rd season, they would basically train even more to hunt bloodhounds, so I’m guessing becoming stronger.

Du-yeong being back was truly an emotional moment though. I did wonder what had happened to him since his dead body was never shown, so I’m glad he didn’t die, but they again left us on cliffhanger on not knowing what happened to him after he got stabbed, multiple times. Anyway, I could really feel Gunwoo and Woojin’s emotions when they saw him, it definitely got a few tears out of me.

To conclude, I liked the season, it keeps the spirit of the show but I do think they can do better. Hoping for a season 3.

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better condensed plot than s1’s mess

after the mess that was s1, i was looking forward to the redemption in s2, as i think s1 would have done well if it weren’t for sae ron’s tragic dismissal from the show.

s2's 7 episodes were packed with intention and it was much cleaner; easy to follow. the plot is predictable, but it makes for entertainment.

i loved the fight choreography! i can tell everyone worked hard to practice their scenes and make a rewarding visual. i also loved the contrast in geonwoo's and woojin's emotional tendencies that balance against the harshness and ruggedness of the show overall. the show does a great job in breaking through that hefty masculinity and making sure the tenderness in the main characters and some side characters are still prevalent in each episode, and no one calls them weak for showing it.

i absolutely did not enjoy the explicit sexual assault of the man on the massage chair, and with the way it was written, the audience is to assume this was partly done for giggles, but i did not see it that way. it was a blatant threat of forced sodomy and in the graphic way the fight scenes are shown, i don't necessarily think this specific scene was needed. other than that, i had no other issues with the violence. possibly just personal preference for me.

all in all, it did a great job of telling a story, connecting its characters, and providing adrenaline to its audiences.

i'm looking forward to s3 if it happens, but if it doesn't, i wouldn't be all that upset either way. also this would undoubtedly not pass the bechdel test but i wonder how many women were involved with development.

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Good fight scenes.

This drama was made for the male audience who enjoy good fighting action scenes,from boxing to taekwondo fights.As for the females we get to enjoy seeing the abs... although some deaths were abit gory for me but i had to watch season 2 to know what happens to the boys.There were certain dialogues that felt flat but still got through them.One can watch this season as a standalone but certain characters have been reprised from season 1 and had good stories and it would be a shame not knowing their storylines.I believe they went all in in this season because season 1 ended somewhat mired with scandal outside the series...Rain did an amazing job in being a villain here,he does prove himself in being an actor.With the Seo Joon and Dex appearing,it does give the impression there will be a season 3.

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Missing Something Deeper

After season 1, I had no idea they were planning on making a sequel to Bloodhounds, but I remembered really liking the first season so I decided to give s2 a chance. While I think the actors did a great job continuing these characters, it felt like this season was really leaning on the intense action scenes to carry them through. Yes, I know this is a show about fighting - but it felt like the ratio of fight scenes to emotional/character developing moments was too high. Still, this was a very fun follow-up to s1, and I especially enjoyed the main villain of this season!

I do think that this season would have been a bit better if I had more recently watched s1, but that wasn't a huge issue for me - mostly just a few things that could've been fresher in my brain to help bring the story together. Truly, the highlight of this season was the performances by the three main leads. Woo Dohwan as Geonwoo was fantastic in s1 and just as good in s2: I love watching this crazy good fighter be a total softie outside the ring. And with Lee Sangyi as Woojin again? The duo was truly incredible, and I feel like the actors worked so well together this season. Then, watching Rain as this scary main villain was a great way to up the stakes. Still though, I think most of the plot was fairly predictable in order to get to as many bloody fight scenes as possible, which made me feel like we spent less time with the characters. If you were a big fan of s1 and want more, it's a pretty good sequel! Not sure if I'll be tuning in for future seasons if they make them though, since it feels like it's moving away from the character development that made me love s1.

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Beast Mode Activated

Back with Season 2, the chemistry remains strong, natural, and genuinely warm; they feel like family. Character-wise, it works too: the main guy is strong but a bit naïve, not particularly street-smart, more of a genuinely good person trying to survive in a pretty brutal world. That contrast actually lands well.

The plot, though, is where it gets a bit shaky. Compared to the first season, this one feels more monotonous, less layered. I can forgive a lot if the story is logical and the relationships are properly built — and to some extent, that’s still there — but what didn’t sit right with me was the overall tone. It leans heavily into hopelessness. No matter what they do, they seem stuck, powerless, unable to protect themselves or others.

The story is ordinary, and the narrative is not an original idea. Just like many action based dramas, Season 2 follows the same pattern. However, the action sequences are terrific and that's what keep you engaged. Even though the storyline is neatly wrapped up at the end, it leaves a slightly bitter aftertaste.

Overall, If you liked the first season, you’ll probably enjoy the character dynamics here as well. Just don’t expect the same level of plot depth. I’m curious and waiting for the next season though.

My Rating : 7.6/10

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Once family, always family

I really love the relationship the duo have and the trust they have in one another, just like they said : Once family, always family and family keeps each other safe tills the end. They really did that and it means the whole team, they really keep that ideology through thick and thin. One scene I liked was when they met their teacher/senior when they were broken and helpless, they really let out everything then.

While our two protagonists is like the chinamone they are, our antagonist, Baek Jeong is pure evil, all he cares was money and money. From the start to end, I was wondering how his ends would be and hoped he would get what he caused the others. Guess what, he got it! It was so satisfying although… it was still satisfying.

Another thing I liked about the drama is the fight scenes, they were great and it felt like I was really watching boxing of real boxers.

I will surely rewatch it again because I feel like 7 episodes were too short and I want more.

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Even A Champion Can Fight Dirty!

Wow what a ride that was!

I thought I was going to take my time with this show and watch it over a week since it was 7 episodes but I ended up binging it last night and oh my god was it worth it!!

I actually didn't enjoy s1 that much outside of the camaraderie with the leads. The plot felt really sloppy and the pacing felt wrong, and I hated the time skip out of nowhere etc etc

But s2 was so clean and smooth from start to finish. It seemed exactly like they planned for a 7 ep drama coz every episode felt adequate and well paced. The bromance was still solid, Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sangyi deliver on all the fronts from physique to chemistry and performance. They nail every scene whether it's a fight or an emotional moment. The fact that Gunwoo's fists are a murder machine but his heart is as soft as a baby's is an adorable contrast that doesn't feel superficial but deeply entrenched into who he is and the influence he then has on everyone around him who chooses to root for him.

Likewise Woojin being his charming and swoonworthy brother figure who also has a sense of humor when it matters but an equal heart of gold makes for a compelling partner in crime as usual.

Jason Kim the director does duo action comedies so well with Midnight Runners being another favorite of mine and Bloodhounds s2 seems to have a lot of his usual charm in the filmmaking aspect as well.

There were so many cameos I almost lost count after a while, each with their own quirks, characters returning, all while keeping the core character arcs of both the leads consistent.

Gunwoo goes from considering boxing played by the rules the only way a champion can defeat even evil to utilizing whatever strengths and loopholes he can to get back at the villains, while Woo Jin stays his mentor and brother, going from being irresponsible and reckless in s1 to dependable and loyal. A moment that particularly stands out is when they gave us a glimpse of the old Woojin in that moment where they're dealing with a disrespectful drug peddling bratty woman who is testing their patience and Woojin is holding their marine friend back from hitting her but then Woojin finally almost snaps and gives her the same bone chilling look...but he still holds back! I think that's incredible character growth coz we know the old Woojin wouldn't have held back. But like he's continued to tell Gunwoo this season, Gunwoo's influence on him is immense and the only reason he is living well and that has made him the mature, level headed and patient man he is in s2. I do miss his earlier ferocity but it makes sense for his arc.

Having said all that, this is still a show that is best approached with a "switch off your mind and enjoy the fights" mindset. There are small plot holes and character decisions that feel really stupid like when elite officers barge into a hotel room knowing one of the bad guys there is specialized in making explosives, but on the other hand, making the good guys not invincible in this manner is also the heart of this show.

The fact that Gunwoo and Woojin continue to take so many hits but still win in the end is ultimately what builds all that adrenaline and makes the viewers root for them. Tho I have to say I felt like this season had both of them, especially Woo Jin be a lot more "weak". I thought they might be building up to their peak strength by the end, but it felt like the show flipped the switch and made the villain the ultimate invincible opponent. It's not entirely a bad thing, because again, they make it work in that final fight scene when Woo Jin sets the stage for Gunwoo to take over and finish the job like perfect teamwork.

The fight scenes are the highlight and the whole point of the show. Every single one is so well choreographed and I can't imagine the work that went into making them happen. This season is a lot more violent and gorey with the villains. And it also felt like a lot of screentime went to the supporting cast too.

I did want to see more of Gunwoo and Woojin fighting the bad guys together making their own decisions. It felt like their larger brotherhood carried a lot of the momentum of plan building forward while the leads just fought and executed those plans. While this helps the worldbuilding of Bloodhounds and it's heartening to know just how many people are willing to show up for these kind hearted men, I wish they balance this better and give us more of Gunwoo and Woojin fighting together as a formidable duo if there is a s3.

Which brings me to the psa: don't skip the end credits in ep 7!

They're clearly setting up the stage for s3 from the looks of it. If it ever happens, I do hope the wait won't be as long as it was for s2. Park seo joon and Dex and even Rain look like they all will be having bigger roles there, and we might even be getting some Thai villains and hopefully some muay thai fight scenes hahaha

I hope s2 becomes a solid hit so they can continue this story to a s3. I for one am really looking forward to seeing them expand this world even more.

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the drama was worth it “but”

blood hounds 2 was really litttt🔥🔥🔥South Korea should be given an award on acting, because tell me why everything looked so reallll. well..I’m glad they all worked as a team! and also how they trusted each other also believing in themselves.

I didn’t like the fact tae geom died though, because he later gave in because of his daughter that part hurt me, but it is what it is . Also I’m guessing there will be a season 3 omdssss can’t wait guys.

the ending part were drawings of the villain being dead !!!ALL FAKE , I wonder what’s park seo joon is planning although I didn’t feel him from the start I knew he was up to no good:) maybe he will be the next blood hounds leader lol. The fact they lied to hong min beom wasn’t nice though, he just wanted to put an end to everything so everyone can be happy again without feeling bothered. I’m happy his mom didn’t die but guys what about the head police officer that was leading them thorough:( I’m glad his top class friend didn’t betray their trust tooo😭☺️

it’s sad kin sae Ron isn’t here too but life goes on

SOUTH KOREA ACTING SKILLS IS TOP NOTCH#1
please don’t keep us waiting for too long for a season 3

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Fantastic Sequel ...

It's always difficult to make a great sequel or season 2 when the first season was nothing but perfection. Somehow, though, they made it happen. This new season was everything you could have hoped for, and more!
It's a strong start that pulls you into the story immediately. Besides the fighting, and fighting, and fighting again, there was a great story behind the punches, along with a great cast to match. So many different layers of the story that all come together in the final episode.
Do Hwan & Sang Yi are once again the brilliant bromance fighting duo. The two had great chemistry of friendship, making that one of the strongest points of this continuing series, once again. The one unexpected surprise was Rain. He turns out to be such a great antagonist. I hadn't seen him play a role like this before, but he really was fantastically evil and cold hearted, giving you everything you wanted in the main villain. You really can't wait until that final showdown fight with Geon U & Baek Jeong. It's definitely worth the wait, making for great entertainment.
The rest of the supporting cast matches brilliantly with all the sub story plots happening at the same time. Don't be fooled by who you think is all good or all bad. Some characters have a mix of both, which you find out as you get deeper into the series.
After some of the final credits roll, you get an add on scene that kind of gives a teaser for a possible season three??? I sure hope so, cause both 1 & 2 have been great.

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