By Woo Jae-yeon
During a recent interview in Seoul, actor Jung Ji-hoon delved into the complexities of portraying Baek-jung, the relentless antagonist in Netflix’s hit series, “Bloodhounds Season 2.” He confessed the character’s initial lack of backstory made his portrayal challenging. “Baek-jung was primarily described as a man consumed by rage and anger management issues, a truly difficult role to inhabit without deeper narrative,” Jung Ji-hoon explained. “His actions often seemed to stem from pure narcissism and a deep-seated inferiority complex towards Kun-woo, driving him to relentlessly target the series’ protagonist.” Yet, as filming progressed, the actor found his understanding evolving. “Ultimately, it became crucial for the role to feel authentic and natural, rather than forced,” he noted, highlighting his dedication to the challenging villain.
The highly anticipated second season of “Bloodhounds” recently premiered on Netflix, quickly captivating audiences. Directed by Kim Joo-hwan, known for his work on “Midnight Runners” (2017) and “Officer Black Belt” (2024), this gripping boxing saga plunges viewers back into the world of underground crime. The series follows two determined young boxers, Kun-woo (played by Woo Do-hwan) and Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi), as they unite against a ruthless syndicate orchestrating an illegal boxing league. At the heart of this criminal enterprise is Baek-jung, a character driven by an insatiable hunger for brutal violence and illicit wealth.
“Bloodhounds Season 2” has already achieved remarkable success, quickly amassing five million views and securing the second spot on Netflix’s global weekly chart for non-English shows, signaling its widespread popularity among viewers worldwide.
Marking a significant milestone in his career, “Bloodhounds Season 2” features Jung Ji-hoon’s much-anticipated debut as a villain, a role he revealed he had keenly awaited since his 2003 TV series debut. He expressed particular excitement for the character’s boxing background. “The opportunity to portray a boxer, a discipline I had never explored before, was a major draw,” Jung Ji-hoon shared. “I immersed myself in learning the sport from the ground up, confident in my ability to infuse the action sequences with genuine intensity.”
Despite his acclaimed reputation for intense action, showcased in films like the 2009 crime thriller “Ninja Assassin,” Jung Ji-hoon found the bare-knuckle action of “Bloodhounds Season 2” exceptionally demanding. “The physical toll was immense for the entire cast and crew; no one emerged completely unscathed,” he admitted, describing grueling 10-hour action sequence days.
“Yet, we persevered together. I pushed through the pain, hoping to inspire a similar fighting spirit among my fellow cast members,” he added.
Intriguingly, Jung Ji-hoon found a subtle parallel with his villainous character Baek-jung: a shared profound desire for recognition. “I seek fair reward for my efforts, while simultaneously understanding the necessity of facing consequences for any missteps,” he articulated. “My personal ethos is to approach every endeavor with sincerity, avoiding any perception of idleness.”
As he recuperates from the intense physical demands and rigorous training required for “Bloodhounds Season 2,” Jung Ji-hoon humorously expressed a desire for a less physically strenuous role in his next project. “Perhaps a part where I can embrace a bit more leisure,” he quipped, “like a chubby serial killer.”
