Netflix’s new boxing thriller Bloodhounds is stealthily visceral

Netflix’s new Korean series is perfect for fans of boxing, crime dramas with slick plots, handsome boys or watching loan sharks getting beaten up. Bloodhounds, This is the book for you.

Boxing crime drama series delivers on what it promises from the beginning: cute boys punching… for justice. Kim Geon-woo is a shy boxing prodigy (Woo Don-hwan), who will do anything for her mother. Kim is also competing in a prestigious boxing amateur tournament. He easily defeats his opponents before facing the showboating Hong Woo Jin (Lee Sang Yi) in the final.

They become friends after a fight. They quickly transform from rivals to friends, who are willing to do anything for each other. Together, they form an unstoppable group.

Photo: Soyun Jeon, Seowoo Jung/Netflix

Photo: Soyun Jeon, Seowoo Jung/Netflix

Geon-woo’s mother is in dire financial straits, having been conned by a group of sinister loan sharks. So the two new friends set out to make it right, earning money as bodyguards for the one loan organization that does not charge interest, all the while investigating the evil group behind the scheme that nearly ruined Kim’s family.

It is a straightforwardly engaging story with villains that are easy to hate (having characters who you can easily dislike). As you can see, it is a very effective way to get started. want to see get beat up is a must) and a plot propelled equally by their schemes and our heroes’ desires. The leads’ relationship is great, with both actors effectively evoking purehearted loyalty and sincerity that makes their fast friendship read as true. But it’s Bloodhounds’ action that takes the first episode to the next level.

Woo do-hwan is particularly good at boxing as Geon woo. He bobbles and weaves while closing in on his opponents and picking out his spot before delivering calculating blows. All of this adds to Immersion. Bloodhounds’ fight scenes, which feel like real slugfests.

As is the case in most great action storytelling, the leads’ fighting styles also reflect their personalities. Geon-woo is quiet, and will be the first to tell you he’s not good with words. His fighting style reflects this; he’s a defensive counter puncher who doesn’t swing a lot, but hits hard when he does. Woo-jin, who is louder and more brash, also fights with more fervor and more often than his friend.

Detail like this make BloodhoundsThe film is not just another action thriller. The lovable characters bring you into the story, but it’s the quality of the action that makes you stay. This is one of the most anticipated new Korean shows for 2023.