Woo Do-hwan, 'OUT' with 2% ratings... Will I shake off my humiliation and become Netflix's new savior?

Actor Woo Do-hwan is about to release his new work 'Hounds'. Attention is focusing on whether the drama will be able to break away from its sluggish performance with recent drama viewership ratings.

Netflix's 'Hounds', starring Woo Do-hwan, depicts the story of two young men caught up in the world of loan sharks, who risk their lives against a huge force of evil. Director Kim Joo-hwan, who has dealt with the growth of youth and the buddy combination based on various subjects such as 'Youth Police', 'Lion', and 'Puppy', directed.

Woo Do-hwan played Geon-wu, a sincere and considerate boxing prospect. Just and recklessly brave, he decides to become a hunting dog for illegal moneylenders when his mother suffers an unfortunate incident.

Actor Lee Sang-i plays the role of Woo-jin, who will become Gun-wu's reliable hunting partner. Smirking and full of affection, Woo-jin meets Gern-wu for the first time in the finals of the boxing rookie competition, and they quickly become close.

It is rumored that Woo Do-hwan made an extraordinary effort to digest the role of a boxer. Not only did he prepare four meals a day to build his body, but he also challenged himself to increase his weight by 10kg.

In addition, as it is a work with an exceptionally large amount of action, the actors are said to have overflowed with dedication and passion. Martial arts director Park Young-sik of 'Hounds' praised Woo Do-hwan, saying, "He is the best at action among young male actors currently active."

Even with Woo Do-hwan's tremendous character preparation, the concern is that his ticket power has declined. His previous MBC Friday and Saturday drama 'Joseon Lawyer' exceeded the average viewership rating in the upper half of the 2% range.

'Joseon Lawyer' is Woo Do-hwan's return to MBC after 6 years and his first drama after being discharged from the military. However, I had to taste humiliation because I was pushed by a competitor's work organized at the same time. On Friday, SBS' 'Exemplary Taxi 2' and on Saturday, JTBC's 'Doctor Cha Jeong-sook' ran the highest ratings.

'Joseon Lawyer' recorded the lowest ratings among terrestrial dramas aired at the time. From the 7th episode, the ratings rose slightly, and I tried to write an anti-war drama, but in the end, it returned to the 2% level and I couldn't show my back. Naturally, his position as a leading actor was also shaken.

In addition, Woo Do-hwan posted an unaired video on social media after the end of the show. In the video, Woo Do-hwan expresses affection by lying side by side with Kim Ji-yeon (WJSN Bona), who appeared as a co-star. Woo Do-hwan hugs Kim Ji-yeon from behind and whispers to her.

In response, some fans posted malicious comments, saying, "Please take it down, isn't there a reason why the unaired episodes are not aired?", "There must be many other unaired videos, but why don't you take this part down... please post it?" After one after another pointed out that he was not considerate, he ended up deleting the post.

'Hounds' will be an even more important work for Woo Do-hwan, who is facing a crisis both in terms of ratings and reputation. It can also be said that he is at a critical crossroads in his life as an actor. Can Woo Do-hwan, who was not able to use his strength in his previous work, be able to take revenge with 'Hounds'?

Reporter Ryu Ye-ji and Ten Asia ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr