Bloodhounds S. 2

Synopsis:

Kim Geon Woo and Hong Woo Jin are once again sucked into a dangerous world after Geon Woo's long awaited victory as the world boxing chamption. Baek Jong is the leader and main fighter of the underground illegal boxing leage the IKFC. He is hell bent on recruiting Geon Woo into his ring and will do anything to get him there.

Review:

It's here! Oh my word dear reader. I, like so many, and perhaps even you, have been waiting for this second season for Bloodhounds. I have so much to say that I hope this review will be concise enough that I don't run you off and you stay with me to the end. I do so enjoy our little convos, dear reader.

If you are new to my reviews, dear reader, I rate my dramas on mainly two categories: storytelling, and direction. Under Storytelling, I take into account not just the acting, but the writing, and music as well. It is usually presented as a percentage. Under the category direction, I consider both editing and direction, editing counts for 2 points while direction counts for 3. It'll be out 5. I call them my sticky notes because that tends to be what I write my thoughts on when I'm watching. For Bloodhounds Season 2, I have the story telling at a 92%. Under direction I gave this a 3/5.

I will not start this review with the two leads. I fear that if I do we will be here all day.

So, I will control myself and wait. I think I'll start off with the writing. I, like so many, were expecting a lot from this season. Season one was a slamming success partially because of the action, but also because of the script. It was witty and the content was enough to create a solid story. Season two does have a bit of its original spark, but it is lacking compared to the previous season. This season of Bloodhounds was so quick and action packed that I am curious to see what ended up on the cutting room floor. I couldn't help but feel there was a large chunk of the script missing to make way for the action. However, it did keep me coming back and I am guilty of totally binge watching the whole series.

As much as Rain is typically sweet eye candy I want to have a nice little chat with the wardrobe and makeup department. Who signed off on this, My Little Pony mowhawk? That thing was hideous and distracting, which I guess was a plus because Rain has never really been known for his acting prowess. Despite the experience he

just hasn't gotten any better, which is a shame. I did see some discussion online comparing his acting to his right hand man, Hwang Chan Sung (he plays Yun Tae Geom), which isn't much of anything. Both their acting leaves much to be desired. Although, I will say that Chan Sung was ever so slightly better than Rain. That being a marginal slightly better.

As far as direction goes, I will say he did much better than the director or Goodboy. The fights were plenty, but I didn't feel the same fatigue that I felt with Goodboy. There weren't many silly action scenes that verged on the cartoonish side and made me roll my eyes like in The Manipulated and Goodboy. When a character was hurt they took their time to heal (mostly). They didn't just jump immediately into another fight miraculously healed. We do have enough scenes where there is groundwork/ detective work to fill the in between. It was just enough that it still made the main fights poignant. I will say there were a few scenes that I could have done without, the crazy laughing drug lady (that fake maniacal laugh is becoming a pet peeve of mine), and the scene where Baek Jong (Rain) breaks a guys jaw over the tub. You could have just had Baek Jong beat the guy to a pulp. I didn't need the neck snap. There were a few others, but those were the most contentious for me. The cineamatography was pretty good. The boxing scenes had good movement and those scenes really make you feel it. Ugh- that last scene was, tense to say the least, but awesome!

Okay, now for the boys. I missed my bromance moments. There aren't many of those

in this season and it is a bit of a shame. That was part of what made season one so endearing was their continuous love, and support of each other. Those scenes were also what brought in the comedic relief. There are still comedic relief moments in this season, but they are sparse.

Both of our main actors, our boys, pulled in some great performances. You can see the toll that the previous season's experiences had on them, especially on Geon Woo. At the opening of the second series we see he is having trouble sleeping. Poor man has some PTSD. He does cry a lot more in this season but, again, he obvisouly has some PTSD that he's not gotten over and then he's thrust into this world of danger once again where his mother and everyone he loves is a target.

I do think that allowing Geon Woo to put the brass knuckles into his gloves is a bit of a drawback on the character itself. Part of what is so enigmatic and endearing about him, is his sense of integrity. His "boxer's heart," is part of what makes us root for him. His innocent, sweetness is another part of what makes us love him. Part of the theme this season was making Geon Woo come to terms that he needed to become an even more terrifying beast to beat a beast. Basically stoop down to the villain's level and be even worse. That is the only way he could win. So, it is a small drawback, in my opinion.

Eitherway, I loved this new season of Bloodhounds. If there is to be a third season I'd happily consume it. Especially if the new bad guy was Park Seo Joon. UGH- I just know that man would bring in a solid performance of a villain. No stupid maniacal

laugh, no over the top outbursts that verge on the comical. It would be closer to Oh Jung Se's version of a villain from Goodboy. So, yes, give me a calm, cool, collected, calculating, and intelligent villain that can rival that of Smallville's Lex Luther. I know my man Park Seo Joon can give me that. See you next time, dear reader!