Most actors dream of breaking into Hollywood. Joey Albright chose a completely different path — and it paid off in ways he never expected. For over a decade, this American actor has been one of the most recognisable Western faces on Korean screens, and his role as the calculating investor Ian in Bloodhounds Season 2 on Netflix is his most compelling yet.
Who Is Joey Albright?
Joey Albright is an American actor who has starred in dozens of Korean films and television shows as a prominent guest star, with credits including Chief Detective 1958, Vincenzo, Space Sweepers, Peninsula, Mr. Sunshine, and many more. whats-on-netflix He moved to South Korea at 21, studied the language, went to university there, got married, started a family — and built an entire career in a country that wasn’t his own.
That’s not a gap year. That’s a life.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Base | South Korea (moving to Portland, OR) |
| Role in Bloodhounds S2 | Ian — a sharp, calculating investor |
| Notable Credits | Vincenzo, Peninsula, Space Sweepers, Mr. Sunshine |
| Bloodhounds S2 on Netflix | Streaming now |
Breaking Into K-Dramas as a Westerner: Harder Than It Looks
Joey doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges. Beyond the obvious language barrier, he had to navigate the deeply hierarchical work system on Korean sets — understanding not just Korean words, but the layered, overly polite verb forms required when addressing directors and senior crew members.
Then there’s typecasting. The Korean industry has very specific physical expectations for Western actors — the “dad role,” the “businessman” — and as a taller, heavier-set actor, Joey had to find his own lane rather than trying to fit a predetermined mould. He did exactly that, and it worked.
The Bloodhounds Audition Story Is Something Else
Joey was driving to the seaside with his wife and daughter for their anniversary when his agent called asking for an audition tape — that same day. He got to the hotel, asked his wife for 30 minutes, and filmed the tape: 20 minutes to practise, 10 to shoot. whats-on-netflix
He’d originally tried out for the boxing coach role, but the director didn’t see him in that part and handed him the script for Ian instead. After a single read, Joey trusted his instincts, went for it in one take, and got an adjustment — and the offer shortly followed. whats-on-netflix That’s the kind of story that makes you believe in preparation meeting opportunity.
The rise of Korean content globally has also opened doors beyond Seoul. Joey noted that productions like Beef and XO Kitty — big Netflix crossover projects — have made casting directors in the US take notice of actors they’ve seen in K-dramas, giving him more opportunities in American audition rooms too. whats-on-netflix To understand more about how the Korean Wave has reshaped global entertainment, Wikipedia’s breakdown of Hallyu is a great starting point.
For more on Bloodhounds Season 2 and what makes it one of the standout K-dramas of 2026, check out our K-drama coverage on TechnoSports.
What’s Next for Joey?
Joey is heading back to the United States — relocating his family to Portland, Oregon — to re-enter the US acting market, while keeping Korea as his second home and remaining open to flying back whenever a project calls. whats-on-netflix He’s also rooting hard for a potential Bloodhounds Season 3 return as Ian, saying the role was one of his favourite set experiences to date.
