'Bloodhounds2' stars Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sang Yi emphasized a "bromance" that is deeper than season 1.
Netflix held a press conference for the production of the new original series Bloodhounds season 2 on the 31st at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman hotel in Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Leading actors Woo Do Hwan, Lee Sang Yi, Jung Jihoon (Bi) and director Kim Joo Hwan attended. Under the moderation of broadcaster Park Kyungrim, they spoke with domestic reporters about the series.
Bloodhounds2 is a drama about Geon-woo (played by Woo Do Hwan) and U-jin (played by Lee Sang Yi), who once beat a vicious gang of illegal loan sharks, delivering another satisfying straight hook against a global illegal boxing league dominated by money and violence. It is a sequel to Bloodhounds, the first season released as an eight-episode series in August 2023, and has raised expectations.
So what has changed among the characters since season 1? Woo Do Hwan said, "First, Geon-woo's residence has changed. To a better house. Receiving gold bullion also gave him more ease in life. Also, Geon-woo grows while consistently training with the goal of becoming a world champion. I had to show that he became closer to U-jin. I thought that if a friend aiming to be a world champion prepares for three years, he should change every day. We couldn't prepare for three years, so we struggled a lot over how to express that." He continued, "The easiest thing to do was change his appearance, I thought. Changes in appearance and action, and the power of the script. If the script had an overall youthful feeling like a social newcomer, season 2 wanted to show a slightly more grown, slightly more adult side."
Lee Sang Yi also spoke about U-jin's change. He said, "Through season 1, Geon-woo and U-jin became as close as brothers. Over three years, as an older brother who cares for and loves Geon-woo, there is certainly a commitment to boxing, but if the younger brother I care for and love could become a champion, I thought I should give up being a boxer and become a coach. Then he meets Baekjeong anew and conflict arises. But the biggest change in season 2 over three years is that both Geon-woo and U-jin have deepened and become more responsible. Becoming a world champion is also a responsibility toward my profession, and meeting a person like Baekjeong deepened my responsibility to protect my family and people, so that might be the biggest changed feeling or point in season 2," he emphasized.
Giving an external change such as wearing a headband, Lee Sang Yi explained, "I actually wore a headband. When we steel ourselves, don't we tie a band around our heads? Thinking of that, I tried a headband with a 'let's go' mindset. From being a coach to standing on the ring again, the difference is that as a left-handed boxer I go for a counter punch."
Woo Do Hwan said, "Our friendship has deepened. Many people call it a 'bromance,' but we call it 'bromelo.' Both of us have lost someone precious together, so we want to protect more and hope no one gets hurt until the end. That will be a community of fate and a support." Lee Sang Yi chimed in, "I totally agree," drawing laughter and anticipation.
Director Kim Joo Hwan also spoke about the chemistry between Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sang Yi, saying, "In this season there are really many scenes where they cry together, and I cried a lot during filming too. I can't say which episode because it's a spoiler, but it was moving. From season 1 to now the emotions have survived intact, which is amazing, so I thought this bromance is the best bromance I've ever filmed."
Bloodhounds2 will be released on Netflix on Apr. 3.
[Photo] OSEN reporter Park Joonhyung.
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