Latest news with #Bloodhounds
New Paper
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New Paper
'A different kind of charm': K-star Park Bo-gum swops love for punches in action-comedy Good Boy
South Korean actor Park Bo-gum has exchanged the heart-rending romance of When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025) for boxing gloves in the high-octane action-comedy Good Boy. Available on Prime Video, the 16-episode show follows a group of former elite athletes who are recruited to be crime fighters after their stellar sporting careers are unfairly cut short. The popular K-drama heart-throb plays ex-national boxer Yoon Dong-ju, while Lee Sang-yi is fencer Kim Jong-hyeon and Kim So-hyun, shooting prodigy Ji Han-na. Heo Sung-tae of Squid Game (2021) fame portrays the group's leader and former wrestler Ko Man-sik, while Tae Won-seok plays gentle giant Shin Jae-hong, an ex-discus thrower. Playing an action hero is a departure for Park, who has built a career playing charming romantic leads in hit series like Love In The Moonlight (2016), Encounter (2018) and Record Of Youth (2020). Park's recent performance in When Life Gives You Tangerines, in which he portrayed devoted husband Yang Gwan-sik to actress-singer IU's Oh Ae-sun, saw him receive a best television actor nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards in May. The melodrama, which won best drama at the ceremony and is available on Netflix, was a global success and frequently on the platform's Global Top 10 Non-English Shows list. Park, 31, was drawn to Good Boy because of the "interesting plot" and the opportunity to try his hand at a new genre. "The script was such a page-turner, like a comic book," Park tells The Straits Times over Zoom from Bangkok on June 1, where he attended the Thailand premiere of the series with his co-stars Lee and Kim. "The action was described in great detail, and I've always wanted to try the crime action genre," Park says, adding that he has never played a police officer or a boxer. "I want to show audiences a different side of me that I hope will be refreshing." Park Bo-gum plays a former national boxer in Good Boy. PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO As Park has many action scenes in Good Boy, he threw himself into preparing for the role by learning how to fight. Every day for six months, he trained with a boxing coach, underwent weights training and rehearsed fight choreography with the production's action and martial arts team. However, his enthusiasm got the better of him - he suffered a minor leg injury and had to take a 1½-month break to recover. While Park is a newbie to action, Lee is on familiar ground, having played a delinquent boxer in the hit action-packed series Bloodhounds (2023). "In Bloodhounds, I fought with my hands. But in Good Boy, I had to learn sword-fighting. And as a policeman, I don't carry weapons, so I had to fight with what's (lying) around, like a broom," says Lee. Lee Sang-yi plays an ex-national fencer in Good Boy. PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO The 33-year-old, who has been acting in South Korean plays and musicals for more than a decade, says Bloodhounds gave him the "action guy" persona. He is currently filming the show's second season. Kim, who plays a marksman in Good Boy, has also been bitten by the action bug. The 25-year-old, who debuted as a child actress in 2006, is a familiar face in K-dramas, having starred in The Tale Of Nokdu (2019), Love Alarm (2019 to 2021) and River Where The Moon Rises (2021). Kim So-hyun is a shooting prodigy in Good Boy. PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO "I needed to work out a lot to have the strength to hold the guns," Kim says, adding that she was initially afraid of firearms and underwent months of shooting practices during pre-production. She had difficulty memorising action choreography, even though she has the least such scenes among the cast. "I remember being in awe of them. Everyone was so professional," she says. Kim adds that their "chemistry is great and everyone got along really well". Both Kim and Lee credit Park for being the "glue that held everyone together". For instance, Park always initiated and arranged meal gatherings and outings on their days off. Calling Park the "natural leader", Lee says Park always had a list of good restaurants and cafes at hand. Park even arranged for the main cast to watch a play together. Park Bo-gum (left) and Lee Sang-yi in Good Boy. PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO Lee also praised Park's work ethic, as he always arrived early on set. "We have some scenes together in the sea, but I have a fear of water," Lee says. "Bo-gum kept reassuring me, telling me it's okay. If it hadn't been for him, I don't think I could have pulled it off." Park, who will be in Singapore for his Be With You fan meeting at The Star Theatre on Aug 14, has high hopes for Good Boy. Thanking fans for showing "tremendous support" to When Life Gives You Tangerines, he says Good Boy offers "a different kind of charm". The cast of Good Boy: (from left) Tae Won-seok, Kim So-hyun, Park Bo-gum, Heo Sung-tae and Lee Sang-yi. PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO "It is a show about justice and good deeds, and how we try to create a better society," says the actor, who made his debut in 2011 and showcases his hosting skills and music abilities in the ongoing South Korean late-night music talk show The Seasons: Park Bo-gum's Cantabile. He adds: "Everyone, including the production crew, put in their best efforts. I'm happy and proud to be part of Good Boy, so do give it a lot of love."
Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
‘A different kind of charm': K-star Park Bo-gum swops love for punches in action-comedy Good Boy
SINGAPORE – South Korean actor Park Bo-gum has exchanged the heart-rending romance of When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025) for boxing gloves in the high-octane action-comedy Good Boy. Available on Prime Video, the 16-episode show follows a group of former elite athletes who are recruited to be crime fighters after their stellar sporting careers are unfairly cut short. The popular K-drama heart-throb plays ex-national boxer Yoon Dong-ju, while Lee Sang-yi is fencer Kim Jong-hyeon and Kim So-hyun, shooting prodigy Ji Han-na. Heo Sung-tae of Squid Game (2021) fame portrays the group's leader and former wrestler Ko Man-sik, while Tae Won-seok plays gentle giant Shin Jae-hong, an ex-discus thrower. Playing an action hero is a departure for Park, who has built a career playing charming romantic leads in hit series like Love In The Moonlight (2016) , Encounter (2018) and Record Of Youth (2020). Park's recent performance in When Life Gives You Tangerines, in which he portrayed devoted husband Yang Gwan-sik to actress-singer IU's Oh Ae-sun, saw him receive a best television actor nomination at the Baeksang Arts Awards in May. The melodrama, which won best drama at the ceremony and is available on Netflix, was a global success and frequently on the platform's Global Top 10 Non-English Shows list. Park, 31, was drawn to Good Boy because of the 'interesting plot' and the opportunity to try his hand at a new genre. 'The script was such a page-turner, like a comic book,' Park tells The Straits Times over Zoom from Bangkok on June 1, where he attended the Thailand premiere of the series with his co-stars Lee and Kim. 'The action was described in great detail, and I've always wanted to try the crime action genre,' Park says, adding that he has never played a police officer or a boxer. 'I want to show audiences a different side of me that I hope will be refreshing.' Park Bo-gum plays a former national boxer in Good Boy. PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO As Park has many action scenes in Good Boy, he threw himself into preparing for the role by learning how to fight. Every day for six months, he trained with a boxing coach, underwent weights training and rehearsed fight choreography with the production's action and martial arts team. However, his enthusiasm got the better of him – he suffered a minor leg injury and had to take a 1½-month break to recover. While Park is a newbie to action, Lee is on familiar ground , having played a delinquent boxer in the hit action-packed series Bloodhounds (2023). 'In Bloodhounds, I fought with my hands. But in Good Boy, I had to learn sword-fighting. And as a policeman, I don't carry weapons, so I had to fight with what's (lying) around, like a broom,' says Lee. Lee Sang-yi plays an ex-national fencer in Good Boy. PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO The 33-year-old, who has been acting in South Korean plays and musicals for more than a decade, says Bloodhounds gave him the 'action guy' persona. He is currently filming the show's second season. Kim, who plays a marksman in Good Boy, has also been bitten by the action bug. The 25-year-old, who debuted as a child actress in 2006, is a familiar face in K-dramas, having starred in The Tale Of Nokdu (2019), Love Alarm (2019 to 2021) and River Where The Moon Rises (2021). Kim So-hyun is a shooting prodigy in Good Boy. PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO 'I needed to work out a lot to have the strength to hold the guns,' Kim says, adding that she was initially afraid of firearms and underwent months of shooting practices during pre-production. She had difficulty memorising action choreography, even though she has the least such scenes among the cast. 'I remember being in awe of them. Everyone was so professional,' she says. Kim adds that their 'chemistry is great and everyone got along really well'. Both Kim and Lee credit Park for being the 'glue that held everyone together'. For instance, Park always initiated and arranged meal gatherings and outings on their days off. Calling Park the 'natural leader', Lee says Park always had a list of good restaurants and cafes at hand. Park even arranged for the main cast to watch a play together. Park Bo-gum (left) and Lee Sang-yi in Good Boy. PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO Lee also praised Park's work ethic, as he always arrived early on set. 'We have some scenes together in the sea, but I have a fear of water,' Lee says. 'Bo-gum kept reassuring me, telling me it's okay. If it hadn't been for him, I don't think I could have pulled it off.' Park, who will be in Singapore for his Be With You fan meeting at The Star Theatre on Aug 14, has high hopes for Good Boy. Thanking fans for showing 'tremendous support' to When Life Gives You Tangerines, he says Good Boy offers 'a different kind of charm'. The cast of Good Boy: (from left) Tae Won-seok, Kim So-hyun, Park Bo-gum, Heo Sung-tae and Lee Sang-yi. PHOTO: PRIME VIDEO 'It is a show about justice and good deeds, and how we try to create a better society,' says the actor, who made his debut in 2011 and showcases his hosting skills and music abilities in the ongoing South Korean late-night music talk show The Seasons: Park Bo-gum's Cantabile. He adds: 'Everyone, including the production crew, put in their best efforts. I'm happy and proud to be part of Good Boy, so do give it a lot of love.' Good Boy is available on Prime Video. Joanne Soh is a lifestyle correspondent at The Straits Times, with a special interest in entertainment and pop culture. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Amid Kim Soo Hyun backlash, a look at 7 Korean actors who bounced back from controversies
Popular South Korean actor Kim Soo Hyun's recent controversy involving the late Bloodhounds star Kim Sae Ron rocked the nation and the entertainment industry. Given the Queen of Tears actor's decade-long career and massive popularity, the news spread like wildfire, making global headlines and forcing a sudden halt on his upcoming Disney+ K-drama Knock Off, billed as the next big swing of his career. With South Korea's big cancel culture, celebs who get caught in serious scandals often struggle, sometimes permanently, to claw their way back into the spotlight, regardless of how murky or mild the accusations may be. In Soo Hyun's case, he is accused of dating a minor. While we don't yet know how things will pan out for him, he's not the first to land in hot water. Several stars before him have faced backlash, but managed to find their way back into the spotlight. Also read: Squid Game season 3 trailer: Fans say, 'our mental health isn't ready' as Netflix teases twisted games, traitors, and a tortured Gi Hun Avid Korean entertainment lovers would remember Shi Ho, whose soaring career, marked by early 2000s hits like Queen of Reversals, The Princess' Man, and Cheongdamdong Alice, making him South Korea's top star, was ruined over a false sexual assault scandal. In 2013, he was set to venture into cinema with Confession of Murder, but before that, a trainee dragged him to court for forcing her into sexual intercourse. Shi Ho counter-sued, saying he never had bad intentions and everything was consensual. At the time, many came out in support of Shi Ho, even the restaurant owner who witnessed the incident, along with friends and colleagues. Due to the lack of evidence, Shi Ho was let go, and the girl suddenly withdrew her lawsuit. But Shi Ho then struggled to make a comeback, contracts were stalled, ads were taken down, and fans turned against him. He took a break and did nothing from 2013 to 2016. Then in 2017, he made a successful comeback with My Golden Life, starring Shin Hye Sun. Shi Ho is still active in the industry, though not as much as before. Also read: Ex-BIGBANG's T.O.P admits past mistakes for first time through 'failed drug addict' character: 'I can finally move on with my life' Back then, no one imagined that Lee Byung Hun, now a Korean A-lister with global fame thanks to Squid Game, would bounce back from not one but two major scandals. In 2009, his ex-girlfriend Kwon Mi-yeon accused him of cheating, manipulating her into quitting her career for marriage, and even hinted at his involvement in shady dealings in the U.S. She later dropped the lawsuit, and Lee walked free. But trouble found him again in 2014 when he was accused of having an affair with model Lee Ji Yeon and Glam's Da Hee, while his wife was pregnant. Lee publicly apologised and took a break. Then in 2018, he made a full-blown comeback with Mr. Sunshine. Popular actor Song Hye Kyo became a global phenomenon way before the Hallyu wave struck the world with global OTT platforms, so her involvement in a tax evasion scandal in 2014 became a huge issue. Song was accused of evading around 2.5 billion won in taxes over three years, and the actor ended up blaming her accountant for the confusion. She later issued a public apology on camera. Song bounced back into the spotlight faster than anyone else, thanks to her career's biggest hit, Descendants of the Sun. She was able to build back her reputation, and soon after, she got married to her co-star Song Joong Ki, which further boosted her popularity. The now ex-couple was called the power couple of South Korea. Song Joong Ki's personal life has always remained under scrutiny ever since he married Song Hye Kyo in 2017. Within just two years, he was accused of secretly filing for divorce, while his then-wife claimed she found out about it on TV. The official reason was given as 'differences in personality,' but rumours suggested infidelity on his part. He disappeared from the limelight for a while and then returned with successful projects like Vincenzo. In 2023, after he got married to British actor Katy, he sparked another round of controversy with his 'men have it harder in the industry' comment, saying that 'being a father, being a husband' can cost you jobs in entertainment. Throughout his career, he's been tangled in dating controversies too, but never actually got cancelled and kept bagging lead roles. That is, until recently, his comebacks like Bogotá, Loh Kiwan, etc., have started pulling in mixed to flat-out cold responses. After going big with slice-of-life comfort K-dramas like Start-Up and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, Kim Seon Ho faced major backlash in 2021 after he was accused of abortion coercion by a former alleged girlfriend. At the time, he had a long list of ad deals and contracts lined up, but sponsors quickly pulled back, and he started losing everything to the controversy. His silence didn't help either and led to him dropping out of major projects. It was only after Dispatch's investigative reporting that the truth came out, suggesting the actor didn't force his ex, and Seon Ho bounced back into the limelight. He's now leading several shows and has landed some major nominations. It's Okay to Not Be Okay actor Seo Ye Ji was accused of manipulating and controlling her ex-boyfriend, faking her background, school bullying, staff abuse, etc. The actor was cancelled hard but still tried to make her way back with Eve in 2022. While the response in South Korea was mixed, Netflix numbers showed global audiences were still in. More recently, she got dragged into the Kim Soo Hyun mess for being from the same agency, Gold Medalist. But this time, she stood her ground and has now announced her next project, First of Humans. The biggest example of Korean cancel culture not touching stardom is probably BIGBANG's G-Dragon. While most of BIGBANG's members, including T.O.P, wrecked their careers with drug scandals, G-Dragon, embroiled in a marijuana case back in 2011, still stands as one of the most influential K-pop icons to this day. In 2022, he cleared his name and dropped a comeback album like nothing ever happened.
Pink Villa
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Kim Sae Ron's debt worth millions of KRW uncovered 5 months before her passing; actress had named those who ‘saved' her
Kim Sae Ron accumulated millions of won in debt from industry acquaintances Actress Kim Sae Ron's 2022 drunk driving case led to financial turmoil, reportedly plunging her into debt. Desperate, she reached out to acquaintances for help. Recent updates reveal that she made an appreciation post for the people who assisted her during the tough phase, with reports suggesting they helped clear millions in debt, as reported by K-media outlet SBS FunE. Kim Sae Ron passed away untimely in February 2025, when she was just 24 years old. Many reports suggested that her extreme choice was based on her heavy debt, which she accumulated from her DUI incident. The incident involved hitting an electric transformer in a Seoul area, causing a blackout, and resulting in significant compensation demands. Unable to bear the amount alone, she reportedly borrowed millions from a few of her acquaintances, according to SBS FunE. The article revealed that two members of a well-known idol group, whom Kim Sae Ron had previously mentioned, along with a third singer, each provided financial assistance of approximately 100 million KRW (around 72,300 USD) to her. Additionally, it was stated that two actors, referred to as actor A and singer-turned-actor B, lent unspecified amounts to the Bloodhounds actress after she shared her financial struggles with them. The report also included a statement from singer C, regarding lending her 12 million KRW in late 2023. C also shared details of another transaction– "a little under 8 million KRW (about 5,790 USD) around May 2024, which was sent to her family's account." Additionally Kim Sae Ron also reportedly borrowed 50 million KRW from a business associate for a rental deposit. She allegedly owed around 60 million KRW to Run Entertainment, her former agency, for medical expenses incurred during her time with them. However, this debt was reportedly settled after her contract with the agency ended in early 2024. Through an Instagram story update in her private account, 5 months before her passing, Kim Sae Ron named the people who "saved" her through their support in her tough time. She also asked the story viewers to screenshot the post and share it if she was ever found dead.
Business Upturn
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Upturn
Bloodhounds Season 2: Release date speculation, cast and plot details – Everything we know so far
By Aman Shukla Published on May 16, 2025, 19:56 IST The thrilling South Korean Netflix series Bloodhounds took the streaming world by storm with its action-packed storyline and compelling characters when it premiered on June 9, 2023. Following the success of its debut season, fans are eagerly awaiting Bloodhounds Season 2. Here's everything we know so far about the release date, cast, plot details, and more for this highly anticipated K-drama. Bloodhounds Season 2 Release Date Speculation While Netflix has not announced an official release date for Bloodhounds Season 2 , speculation points to a premiere sometime in late 2025. Several reports, including posts on X and web reports, suggest that the series is expected to debut globally on Netflix in 2025, with some rumors hinting at a possible late 2025 release due to filming starting in September 2024. Bloodhounds Season 2 Expected Cast The core cast of Bloodhounds is set to return, with familiar faces reprising their roles. Here's a breakdown of the expected cast: Woo Do-hwan as Kim Gun-woo: The promising boxer with dreams of becoming a champion returns as the heart of the series. Woo Do-hwan's portrayal of Gun-woo has been a fan favorite, and his return was confirmed by Netflix. Lee Sang-yi as Hong Woo-jin: Gun-woo's loyal partner and fellow boxer, Woo-jin, will also be back, bringing his charm and fighting spirit to the new season. Jung Ji-hoon (Rain) as a New Villain: In an exciting twist, singer-actor Rain joins the cast in his first-ever villain role as the leader of an underground boxing league, promising a formidable challenge for the protagonists. Choi Siwon: The popular actor and member of Super Junior is confirmed to join the cast, though details about his role remain under wraps. Hwang Chan-sung: The 2PM member is another new addition to the series, adding to the anticipation for Season 2's expanded cast. Bloodhounds Season 2 Potential Plot The first season of Bloodhounds followed Kim Gun-woo and Hong Woo-jin, two young boxers who teamed up with a benevolent moneylender to take down a ruthless loan shark in Seoul. Season 2 is expected to dive deeper into their journey, with a new storyline centered around an illegal underground boxing league. According to reports, Gun-woo and Woo-jin will face a new villain, played by Jung Ji-hoon (Rain), who leads this underground operation. The plot is likely to explore their efforts to dismantle this illegal league while continuing their pursuit of justice, delivering the same high-octane action and emotional depth that made Season 1 a hit. Aman Shukla is a post-graduate in mass communication . A media enthusiast who has a strong hold on communication ,content writing and copy writing. Aman is currently working as journalist at
