Chansung showcases a new side in Netflix's Bloodhound 2, playing a ruthless villain with complex emotions and impressive action skills.

*This article contains content related to the drama's story. 2PM's Chansung has shown a new side. The Netflix series "Bloodhound 2" depicts the story of Gon (Woo Do-hwan) and Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi), who crushed a gang of ruthless illegal loan sharks, as they throw thrilling straight hooks against a global illegal boxing league ruled by money and violence. Chansung plays Yoon Taegum, the right-hand man of the main villain Baekjeong (RAIN), who designed the illegal boxing league. Yoon Taegum is a cold character with combat abilities that allow him to skillfully handle not only hand-to-hand action but also knives and explosives. Although he has appeared in various works, this project holds special significance for Chansung. Trained in jiu-jitsu, Yoon Taegum captivates with rough boxing-based action, changing the atmosphere upon his appearance and demonstrating presence with speed, tension, and a cold gaze. What is most impressive is that Taegum is not just a cold and strong character. His emotions of fatigue and resignation, as well as his determination to cut off evil while his family is taken hostage, overlap within his gaze. As a result of his efforts to show a new face, "Bloodhound 2" has become the work that most strongly proves Chansung's transformation. -- Finally, "Bloodhound 2" has been released; how do you feel now? Chansung: I started filming around mid-December two years ago, and my filming ended around the end of June last year. The overall wrap-up was around July, but I died early, so I finished a bit sooner (laughs). Since it's season 2, there was a lot of pressure. The action quality was already very high in season 1, and it was my first action project. That's why I had some regrets. I shot without tears, but with blood and sweat, and when it was finally released, I feel like the hardships from that time have been somewhat beautified. I still can't watch my scenes comfortably, but I enjoyed it very much. -- Do you have any regrets? Chansung: Of course. There were parts of the detailed action where I felt a bit unsatisfied. I was constantly checking the reactions, but many people viewed it positively, which relieved me. -- You challenged yourself with real action through this project. Chansung: I've always liked moving my body. When I was active as 2PM, I did acrobatics, and I loved action movies, so I always wanted to try it someday. At that time, I received an offer from director Kim Joo-hwan. I had high expectations because season 1 was really interesting. However, when I started preparing, I found there were more techniques to learn than I expected, and it took quite a while to master and adapt them to my body. -- What part did you focus on the most during the action preparation process? Chansung: I had experience with taekwondo, so kicking wasn't particularly difficult. Instead, I learned jiu-jitsu techniques separately. When I actually tried it, jiu-jitsu was really terrifying. Once the technique was applied, I was taken down without a chance to brace myself. I have actually been put in a hold, and it was really chilling. Also, timing is crucial for action in front of the camera. The way I throw punches is different from reality, and when I hit my body, I had to separate it, so I practiced a lot in those areas. -- The action style must have varied depending on the co-stars. Chansung: In the scene at the brick factory where Lee Sang-yi faced Park Hoon, it was important to show one side dominating while not giving the impression that the other was just playing. So, I thought it was essential to synchronize our breaths finely. The action with Ji-hoon (RAIN) got faster as the filming progressed. It felt like the speed was increasing as if we were getting heated. Before shooting the tunnel scene, I saw the initial confrontation scene between Gon and Baekjeong, and the speed and power of the two were truly amazing. After the viewers saw that, I thought they shouldn't feel the tunnel scene was slow, so I remember we shot it at an even faster pace. -- How long did you shoot the tunnel scene? Chansung: We shot the scene in parts, but I think we filmed each angle about three or four times. Since we didn't use stuntmen, we adjusted and shot it ourselves, trying to create the best scene possible within a safe range. If I got injured, it could affect the next scene or the next project, so I always paid the most attention to that while filming. -- You've known RAIN for a long time. How was it meeting him on set? Chansung: I was really happy to know I could work with him on the same project. I had admired him since his days in "Ninja Assassin," so I was even more delighted. Before we started filming, he contacted me first and said, "Let's work out together." It felt like a confession (laughs). From that time, whenever we had free time, we worked out together, and when the call from the set was late, we worked out again before filming. Thanks to that, I felt like I could enjoy filming more. -- You've been active as a singer for a long time, but your passion remains unchanged. Chansung: Before my debut, I didn't have a dream. But as I continued to work, I felt that this job itself became my dream. I started wanting to keep doing this work, and rather than wanting to live comfortably, I developed a strong desire to learn more and acquire sensations I didn't know. I want to grow year by year, and I always think I don't want to disappoint those who support me. That's why I don't feel that pouring my passion is burdensome or difficult. -- The co-stars were all well-built, right? Chansung: I tend to bulk up easily. I actually find it harder to lose weight (laughs). I lost about 8 kg before filming, but when I got to the set, there were no exposure scenes, and since the villains were all solidly built, I thought if I looked too thin, it might evoke the idol image first. So, I thought it might be better to gain back about 4 kg, and I bulked up a bit and maintained that condition while filming. I think I was about 2-3 kg heavier than I am now. -- While creating the character Taegum with director Kim Joo-hwan, what did you talk about the most? Chansung: With the director, we talked the most about showing a completely new side of me in my acting career. He mentioned that if this character could bring a significant change to my career, it would be great. I also had a desire to add action to a character I had never played before, and I worked hard, feeling like there wasn't enough time. I mentioned that I still have regrets about the action, but the director told me, "It was enough," and I am grateful for that. -- You've had a long relationship with director Kim Joo-hwan, right? Chansung: I've known the director since "Koala" and have been close ever since. I was asked to make a special appearance in "Midnight Runner" as well. When I participated in season 2 of "Bloodhound," he kindly asked me to play a villain role, which I was really grateful for. It was a great opportunity for me. Regarding the character Taegum, we discussed a lot even before the name was decided, and I contributed many ideas while creating it together. -- As a father in real life, could you immerse yourself in Taegum's fatherly love? Chansung: Yes. When I met the child actress playing my daughter and rehearsed, it was very painful. Emotions surged all at once. Taegum is a person who started that job for money and has lived with his family taken hostage by Baekjeong. I think his conscience must have dulled, but when Baekjeong brought up family, I thought he would unconsciously have to react. -- Do you project a lot of your life onto your characters? Chansung: I think it's more accurate to say I mixed in some of my personality traits and flaws rather than projecting my life directly. I thought about what I could overlap with Taegum, and I realized I'm a bit dry in my usual demeanor. If I overlay that dryness onto Taegum, it might express the lethargy and fatigue that come from focusing solely on work completion while having dulled morals and conscience. -- Is there a particular comment from the reactions that stands out in your memory? Chansung: Many people said, "Your gaze was good" and "The action was good." In the early action scenes, my eyes seemed wild, but many commented that I had different expressions after being subdued and when fighting Baekjeong, which was nice to hear. That was something I intended to portray, so I was happy to hear that. -- What do you think about Taegum's ending? Chansung: Actually, I thought it was a good death (laughs). While filming, we even joked among ourselves that "if I get killed by Baekjeong, it would be a good ending" (laughs). Of course, the expression "good death" is a bit strange, but considering how impactful my death could be in the series, I ultimately thought dying was the right answer. I had some regrets, but I filmed it with the mindset of wanting to have a good death. -- So, it was a good ending for the story? Chansung: Yes. I thought Taegum's death would complete this character's story. There was already a briefing about Taegum analyzed from Gon's side, and a satisfying story was built, so I felt that the most dramatic scene Taegum could show was ultimately dying. Even if he survived, I wondered if there could be an impact greater than death. Therefore, I felt that within the series, it was functionally a "position that should die," and I had already decided to give my all and fight to kill Baekjeong, even if it meant dying. -- Although season 3 hinted at a continuation, do you feel a bit disappointed as an actor? Chansung: Human feelings are like that, so I would like to participate (laughs). But since the scene of the body in the morgue came out, it definitely marked the end. -- Did the members of 2PM watch it? Chansung: The members said things like, "The action was cool," "It must have been tough," and "I watched it all." I was really grateful. I replied, "It was really tough" (laughs). -- You don't usually give each other strict feedback, do you? Chansung: We don't monitor each other strictly. There are plenty of reactions online. I don't think we need to do that (laughs). Usually, we say supportive things like, "It must have been tough" or "You must have struggled during filming." -- I heard this year marks 20 years since your acting debut. Chansung: I think, "Wow, I've been doing this for so long," but I don't really feel it. It just feels like time passed while I was working hard. Even after 20 years, I'm still in my late 30s, so I feel like I can still keep going. Looking back, time has passed so quickly that it scares me a bit (laughs).