Lee Soo Hyuk’s latest K-drama is taking the world by storm — and surprise, it’s not on Netflix or Prime! Find out where to watch the global hit.
Move ahead, Netflix and Prime Video — there’s a new K-drama phenomenon taking over the world, and it’s NOT where you think. Lee Soo Hyuk, South Korean actor and model, has returned to TV in a new TV series that’s propelling headlines, fan communities and streaming charts. The most surprising part? This viral sensation isn’t where you might expect.
Instead, it’s streaming on a lesser-known, but fast-growing OTT platform — and fans can’t get enough.
Who Is Lee Soo Hyuk? A Brief Career Overview
Before we jump into the drama, let’s revisit the actor behind the buzz.
From Runway to Big Screen
Lee Soo Hyuk first came in front of a camera as a high-fashion model, walking for brands like Balenciaga, Juun.J and Yohji Yamamoto. With his striking facial features and moody countenance, he was quickly a household name in Korea’s fashion industry.
Of course, acting soon followed, and the audience couldn’t get enough of him. From “Scholar Who Walks the Night” to “Doom at Your Service,” he’s become known for the dark, brooding characters who express deep complexity and a quiet intensity.
With this new series, he’s blown expectations out of the water — delivering a performance with a character that is raw, multidimensional, and that he’s never done before.
Plot Summary
Cinematic storytelling is at the heart of “Blood Pact.” The narrative centers on the character of Ryu Hyun-woo (portrayed by Lee Soo Hyuk) — a wayward, disillusioned, possibly dead ex-intelligence agent tasked with looking after the daughter of a fallen comrade — and unfolds in a dark, dystopian version of Seoul with complex themes of betrayal, identity, contrasts, and redemption.
Hyun-woo is not a fallible hero, like one might imagine; he’s hurt, half-hearted, and morally compromised… and that’s what fans love.
Why It’s NOT on Netflix or Prime, and Why That’s a Good Thing
You can’t pick up a magazine or scroll through social media without someone discussing either Netflix or Amazon Prime, both of which continue their crusade to be the single source of all K-drama entertainment on a global level. However, for “Blood Pact,” their approach was different — and maybe that made all the difference.
1. Creative Freedom on Secondary Platforms
By premiering on platforms like TVING and iQIYI, the creators had much more freedom in taking chances on their content and its presentation, which benefited the creators’ ethos, so to speak. These benefits included:
More intense anti-types of themes that would not have gotten past Netflix’s own regional censors
Longer-form episodes, thus, with less structuring of keeping to a minimum selling time (Some are 80+ minutes)
More fully-formed musical scores, unique production types in editing and organizing the narrative
2. Organic Global Reach Using Viki
The platform Viki, more well-known for its fan-subbing community, did a huge service in operationalizing and broadly distributing “Blood Pact” to non-Korean audiences, with thousands of fans enacting real-time translations, building a local-to-global character of fandom.
The Lee Soo Hyuk Effect: A Performance That Captivates
Fans and critics alike contend that Lee Soo Hyuk has the performance that will win him his first acting award at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
The Supporting Cast Amplifies the Drama
Notable other cast members include:
Kim Ji-won as Yoon Se-ra, the idealistic civil rights attorney who unexpectedly becomes Hyun-woo’s partner
Choi Min-ho (SHINee) as Ha Jun-seok, the duplicitous intelligence officer
Jung Hae-in includes a shocking cameo which fans still cannot stop talking about.
How Fans Across The World Are Responding
No one is being quiet. In fact, “Blood Pact” is igniting global excitement that is rarely seen outside of Netflix originals.
Fan Reactions Around the World
India: The show trended as #BloodPact on Twitter India the same weekend as the finale. Fan clubs have begun holding virtual watch parties with subtitles in Hindi and Tamil.
USA, Canada, and Mexico: K-drama TikTok creators have posted hundreds of clips that dissect scenes, particularly Hyun-woo’s emotional monologue in episode 7.
Brazil and Philippines: Enormous fan art competitions have kicked off on Instagram, that portray Lee Soo Hyuk’s character as a meme-worthy antihero.
The Lee Soo Hyuk Effect: A Performance That Shatters Expectations
This performance is getting unanimous commendation amongst critics and fans alike – this might be the first award performance for Lee Soo Huyk at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Surrounding Cast Truly Elevates the Drama
Also worth noting was,
Kim Ji-won as Yoon Se-ra, the idealistic civil rights lawyer and Hyun-woo’s unlikely ally
Choi Min-ho (SHINee) as Ha Jun-seok, a double-crossing intelligence officer
Jung Hae-in, a shocking cameo that still has fans talking about it
How Fans Are Reacting Around the Globe
Fans have definitely not stayed quiet about the show! “Blood Pact” is something that is getting that much excitement from fans, it is heading global and getting a craze that only Netflix originals usually get.
International Fan Response
India: The show trended on Twitter India the same weekend it aired it’s finale. Fan clubs now host virtual watch parties with subtitles in Hindi and Tamil.
USA & Canada: K-drama TikTok creators have created hundreds of posts breaking down scenes, and specifically recommending a breakdown of Hyun-woo’s heart wrenching monologue in episode 7.
Brazil and the Philippines: Huge fan art competitions have emerged on Instagram, and many have turned Lee Soo Hyuk’s character into a meme-worthy antihero.
Where and How to Find “Blood Pact”
So, how do you jump on the hype train?
Streaming Platforms
TVING (Korea only)
Viki Rakuten (Global with subscription)
iQIYI (Certain countries and English subs)
Kocowa (North and South America)
Episode Count: 12 (All episodes released)
Runtime: 70 to 90 minutes per episode
Why “Blood Pact” will be a cultural moment
In many ways, “Blood Pact” is more than a K-drama, and “Blood Pact” is also more than a K-drama. “Blood Pact” represents a cultural moment — a perfect illustration about what can happen outside of algorithm-driven mainstream programming when authentic storytelling, genuine performances, a committed fanbase come together.
In a landscape where the majority of content is competing for a spot on the Netflix home page, one artistic underdog reminds audiences that you don’t need a major platform or global platform to reach audiences worldwide; you need a great story — and a talent like Lee Soo Hyuk to take it across the finish line.
FAQs
Why isn’t “Blood Pact” on Netflix or Prime Video?
Answer: “Blood Pact” was created and distributed via TVING, a Korean platform that provides more creative and artistic freedom. Internationally, the show was licensed to Viki and iQIYI for subscription, while avoiding the expected major Western streaming platforms like Netflix or Prime.
How many episodes of “Blood Pact” are there?
Answer: “Blood Pact” is twelve episodes total, 70 to 90 minutes runtime each. 12 (All episodes released).
What role does Lee Soo Hyuk play in the show?
Answer: He plays Ryu Hyun-woo, an intelligence officer who was missing in action and presumed dead. He returns nine years later to take care of a fallen comrade’s daughter. It is one of the most compelling and celebrated performances for him yet.
Is “Blood Pact” available in English subtitles?
Answer: Yes. On Viki, iQIYI, and Kocowa, English subtitles are available. Viki has also offered fan-subbed versions in several other languages too.
Is there a second season to “Blood Pact”?
Answer: As of right now, we have no real confirmation regarding Season 2, but fans are hopeful considering its smashing success globally, and the fact that many questions were left unanswered.
What genre is “Blood Pact?”
Answer: The show is a combination of action, thriller, drama, and mystery. It also has elements of psychological and dystopian elements that make it different from any other K-drama you have probably watched.
Is “Blood Pact” suitable for younger audiences?
Answer: The show is rated for mature audiences 18+. There is graphic violence, mature subject matter, and it is also intense psychologically as well. Viewer discretion is advised.