Bloodhounds star Woo Do-hwan on Indian remake of K-drama and cameo | Exclusive
In an exclusive chat with India Today, actor Woo Do-hwan reflected on the pressure, success, and growing worldwide reach of K-dramas as Bloodhounds Season 2 topped the charts. The action-packed sequel defies expectations and has earned praise for surpassing its first season.
The sequel curse is real, but there are a few anomalies. Take Bloodhounds Season 2, which seems determined to defy that perception. The high-octane action drama, led by Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi, with Rain joining the cast this season, has not only met expectations but exceeded them.
The show is currently dominating Netflix’s global charts in the non-English category and continues to trend at the number 2 spot in India as well, a data-backed proof that K-dramas are no longer niche, but mainstream global entertainment.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Woo Do-hwan, who reprises his role as the fierce yet grounded Gi-hoon, acknowledges the pressure that comes with returning for a second season of a beloved show.
When told that Season 2 is being lauded for outperforming Season 1, Do-hwan gushed, “That’s probably the nicest thing to hear. It’s very flattering, and I’m truly grateful. There’s this general perception that Season 2 is usually less entertaining than Season 1. Even I think that surpassing the first season is very difficult. So, the fact that people feel Season 2 stands on par with Season 1, it really means a lot to me, and I’m very thankful.”
If Bloodhounds thrives on adrenaline onscreen, its off-screen energy is rooted in camaraderie with Lee Sang-yi and Jung Ji-hoon, popularly known as Rain – his stage name. Do-hwan describes his equation with his co-stars as one built on trust, familiarity, and shared exhaustion from physically demanding action sequences.
“We’re very close. With Sang-yi hyung, it goes without saying – we worked together on Season 1, so we’re basically like family now. And Ji-hoon hyung always looked after the younger members first. Action scenes can be physically exhausting, but we kept each other motivated, cheering one another on, joking around, and having a great time together,” the actor recalled with a smile.
With Bloodhounds, Do-hwan’s image as an action star has sharply evolved, placing him in a league of actors redefining physical storytelling in K-dramas. But the actor remains measured about the label.
“If you give me that title (of an action hero), I’ll gladly accept it. But it also comes with a lot of responsibility. It makes me feel like I have to do even better. So, thank you for calling me that,” Do-hwan said, with a glint of surprise, as he mentioned Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, and Stephen Chow as his action-star idols growing up.
The global weight of K-drama success
As Korean content continues to break language barriers, actors like Do-hwan find themselves at the centre of a rapidly expanding global audience. That visibility, he admits, changes how he approaches his craft.
“Yes, I do feel a strong sense of responsibility. It’s not just about resonating with Korean audiences anymore. I also have to connect with viewers around the world. Because of that, I think much more carefully when choosing projects. And I think it’s thanks to the senior actors who built so much love for K-dramas that actors like us are now able to meet a wider global audience,” he said.
Beyond the spotlight, Woo Do-hwan shares great camaraderie with his former co-stars, including Lee Min-ho and Kim Min-jae. When asked how they help him evolve, the actor shared, “We’re all colleagues who share similar concerns and walk the same path. Just having each other is a huge source of strength. We can rely on one another, and even knowing we share the same struggles is comforting and empowering.”
An Indian remake, and a possible cameo?
Even before K-dramas became huge in India, Woo Do-hwan found an audience here with his K-drama Tempted, also starring Joy, Kim Min-jae, and Moon Ga-young. So, when asked which of his projects he believes could translate well into an Indian setting, and if he would like to cameo in it, he picked a more recent K-drama.
“I think Mr. Plankton would be really interesting if it was remade in India. Since the story involves travelling across the country, it could beautifully showcase many of India’s hidden gems. If I get the chance, I’d love to make a brief appearance,” he earnestly answered.
As Bloodhounds continues its global run, Do-hwan signed off with a note to the fans who have powered the show’s success across borders.
“To fans in India, thank you, and see you next time,” Do-hwan concluded.
Bloodhounds Season 2 has 7 episodes and is streaming on Netflix.