Hounds, widely known internationally by its full title Bloodhounds (Korean: 사냥개들; RR: Sanyanggaedeul; lit. Hunting Dogs), is a 2023 South Korean action crime streaming television series. It was written and directed by Kim Joo-hwan, based on the Naver webtoon Sanyanggaedeul by Jung Chan. The series premiered globally on Netflix on June 9, 2023.
Synopsis The series is set in 2020, following the economic turmoil caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It centers on two promising young boxers, Kim Geon-woo and Hong Woo-jin, who initially meet as rivals in the ring but quickly form a close friendship. When Geon-woo's mother falls into a severe debt trap orchestrated by a ruthless and powerful illegal loan shark organization led by Kim Myeong-gil, the two friends are drawn into the dangerous world of underground moneylending. To combat Myeong-gil's syndicate, they team up with Mr. Choi, a legendary figure in the loan shark industry who now dedicates his efforts to helping those exploited by predatory lenders. The narrative explores themes of economic hardship, social justice, and the bonds of loyalty amidst violent confrontations.
Cast
- Woo Do-hwan as Kim Geon-woo: A talented and compassionate boxer forced to abandon his dreams to protect his family from debt.
- Lee Sang-yi as Hong Woo-jin: Geon-woo's fellow boxer and loyal friend, who brings a pragmatic and resilient attitude to their fight.
- Kim Sae-ron as Cha Hyeon-joo: Mr. Choi's adopted granddaughter and a key figure in his operations, initially planned for a larger role.
- Park Sung-woong as Kim Myeong-gil: The cunning, brutal, and influential leader of the illegal loan shark organization, serving as the primary antagonist.
- Heo Joon-ho as Choi Tae-ho (Mr. Choi): A benevolent former legendary loan shark who now uses his resources and connections to help victims of illegal lending.
- Jung Da-eun as Oh Da-min: A character introduced to help fill a narrative gap after revisions to Hyeon-joo's storyline.
- Choi Si-won as Kang In-beom: A professional with connections to the illegal loan market.
- Ryu Soo-young as Lee Du-yeong: One of Mr. Choi's trusted associates.
Production Bloodhounds was produced by Seed Film and Studio N. Filming for the series began in 2021. During production, actress Kim Sae-ron, who played Cha Hyeon-joo, was involved in a drunk driving incident. As a result, her role was significantly reduced, and her character's storyline was altered and concluded earlier than originally planned. Some of her scenes were edited out, and a new character, Oh Da-min, was introduced to help facilitate the plot. The series consists of eight episodes.
Reception Upon its release, Bloodhounds received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences. Praise was directed towards its intense and well-choreographed action sequences, compelling storyline, and the strong on-screen chemistry between lead actors Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi. The series achieved significant viewership on Netflix, quickly ranking among the top-watched non-English series globally shortly after its premiere.