Lee Sang-yi Talks 'Bloodhounds 2', Boxing Challenges, and Bromance with Woo Do-hwan

Actor Lee Sang-yi returns with Netflix's 'Bloodhounds 2', sharing insights on the global success of the series. From tackling action and boxing to his bromance with co-star Woo Do-hwan, and behind-the-scenes stories with actor Park Bo-gum, Lee candidly discusses his experiences both on and off the set.

The second season of Netflix's 'Bloodhounds' follows 'Gun-woo' (played by Woo Do-hwan) and 'Woo-jin' (played by Lee Sang-yi) as they take on a global illegal boxing league, delivering another thrilling punch against the backdrop of money and violence. Lee portrays Woo-jin, Gun-woo's eternal family and brother.

'Bloodhounds 2' quickly climbed to the global TOP 10 series (non-English) within just three days of its release. Lee expressed his gratitude, saying, "It's been less than a week since the release, and we're already in the global top ranks. I'm very thankful and amazed. It's especially fascinating to receive attention from countries outside of Korea."

Lee also discussed the bromance between Gun-woo and Woo-jin, describing it as "more of an underdog hero story rather than a Hollywood-style fantasy. It's about local youths fighting to protect their family and brothers, offering a realistic charm and unique duo chemistry and humor." He added, "While they are ordinary characters, their ability to exert power in moments sets them apart from other bromances."

Reflecting on his collaboration with Woo Do-hwan, Lee shared, "We often shot scenes crying together for 30-40 minutes. Do-hwan has a very instinctive and animalistic style, while I tend to be more rational. He told me, 'Trust me, I'll catch you,' which allowed me to let go and act freely." He laughed, recalling, "Sometimes during filming, I'd mess up and fall over, and Do-hwan would say, 'Hyung, just stay still.' It made me realize he knows me well."

Lee admitted that he struggled with action scenes in the first season, but preparing for season 2 sparked his interest in real boxing. "I wanted to try real boxing, so I started learning. Action boxing and real boxing are definitely different," he noted. "After sparring a lot, I initially wondered how to dodge everything, but getting hit brought adrenaline and fun." He explained the appeal of boxing, saying, "It's great for stamina, aerobic exercise, and body control. There's fun in dodging and landing punches."

Lee even participated in an amateur sports competition, achieving notable results. "After filming, when I was in good shape, my coach suggested I quietly submit an application," he revealed. "Fortunately, I won both the preliminaries and finals, earning the 'Outstanding MVP' award." He placed in the top ranks among approximately 200 participants.

However, Lee remains cautious about further competitions. "There were lucky draws, and many are better than me. Competing at a higher level seems challenging," he said. "Boxing changes completely once you're in the ring, so you must always be careful. Although my stamina improved, balancing it with my schedule is tough due to injury risks." He added, "With filming and variety show schedules this year, I need to be extra cautious."

Lastly, Lee shared his thoughts on the recently concluded tvN variety show 'Bogum Magic'. He gained attention for his natural interactions with the elderly throughout filming. "Knowing when filming would end, I prepared myself for the farewell. I managed my emotions then, but watching the final episode recently brought tears," he said. "Seeing the scene of them returning home was bittersweet, but thanks to Park Bo-gum's good intentions, it was a meaningful time."

Lee added, "Being with good people felt like being part of a fairy tale, and it was a valuable personal experience. Unlike most variety shows, it was close to a 'real live' with no breaks. It was a documentary-like program filled with fun, hardship, and emotion."

When asked about choosing Woo Do-hwan over Park Bo-gum in a previous interview, Lee laughed off the playful question, "Isn't Park Bo-gum upset?" He replied, "Not at all. Both Do-hwan and Bo-gum are busy with filming, so they would understand. If they saw it, they would have mentioned it. We don't get upset over trivial things, and our relationship is fine."

Kim Se-ah, TenAsia Reporter haesmik@tenasia.co.kr