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| ▲ This photo, provided by the Berlin International Film Festival, shows a scene from "Roundup: Punishment." (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, April 16 (Yonhap) -- Actor Ma Dong-seok, known for his persona role as detective Ma Seok-do in the 'The Roundup' series, has captivated audiences with his signature blend of exhilarating action and humor in each installment.
The first film, 'The Roundup' (2017), despite being rated R, attracted over 6.88 million viewers. Sequels 'The Roundup 2' (2022, 12.69 million viewers) and 'The Roundup 3' (2023, 10.68 million viewers) both joined the prestigious 10 million viewer club. Cumulatively, these films have amassed over 30 million viewers.
'The Roundupㅣ Punishment (The Roundup 4)' made history as the first Korean series film to be officially invited to the Special Gala section of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival in February.
The latest film revolves around a new drug crime. The narrative is set three years after Ma and his Seoul Metropolitan Crime Squad solved the infamous drug cartel case in the third installment (2018).
While investigating a drug case involving a delivery app, Ma Seok-do encounters the murder of an app developer in the Philippines, sensing the looming shadow of a massive crime.
The core of the crime involves Baek Chang-gi (played by Kim Moo-yeol), a former special forces mercenary based in the Philippines who has seized control of Korea's illegal online gambling market, and Jang Dong-chul (played by Lee Dong-hwi), a genius CEO in the information technology industry.
Ma Seok-do, a former violent gang leader with deep knowledge of illegal online gambling, seeks reluctant assistance from Jang Yi-soo (played by Park Ji-hwan).
Jang Yi-soo, albeit reluctantly, aids Ma Seok-do, and with the Cyber Investigation Division joining forces, a team is formed to confront Baek Chang-gi and Jang Dong-chul.
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| ▲ Four main cast members of "The Roundup: Punishment" pose for photos during a press conference in Seoul on March 11, 2024. (Yonhap) |
While the 'The Roundup' series expanded its universe and sought change through its first three installments, some criticism suggested that subsequent stories didn't match the narrative strength of the original. In this regard, 'The Roundup 4' evokes a feeling of resurrecting the DNA of the series as portrayed in the first installment.
Ma Seok-do in 'The Roundup 4' not only delivers refreshing action by swiftly subduing criminals but also exhibits immense humanity towards powerless citizens, reminiscent of his camaraderie with the son of the Garibong neighborhood restaurant owner in the first film.
His action sequences remain as polished as ever. Each punch resonates with a thunderous impact, sending criminals flying. In addition to his boxing skills, Ma Seok-do frequently employs techniques like lifting and tossing criminals.
The action of villain Baek Chang-gi sharply contrasts with Ma Seok-do. Utilizing sharp knives, Baek Chang-gi captivates audiences with agile and high-speed action, in stark contrast to Ma Seok-do's brute force.
Baek Chang-gi's cruelty and villainy rival that of Jang Cheol (played by Yoon Kye-sang) from the first film. Despite his few words, Baek Chang-gi exudes a chilling aura that extends beyond the screen.
While online illegal gambling may be a complex subject for the general public to grasp, the story of 'The Roundup 4' remains straightforward like its predecessors. The complexities of online crime highlight Ma Seok-do's simplicity, often inducing laughter, such as Ma Seok-do's bemused expression upon encountering the term 'cloud synchronization.'
In terms of humor, Jang Yi-soo's role in 'The Roundup 4' is no less significant than Ma Seok-do's. If Jang Yi-soo played a stimulant role in the first and second installments, he now assumes a leading role, consistently bringing laughter with each appearance.
Directed by Heo Myeong-hwan, who previously served as the martial arts director for the existing works in 'The Roundup' series, 'The Roundup 4' marks his second directorial work following the Netflix film 'Night in Paradise' released in January.
The film, boasting a runtime of 109 minutes and rated R, is scheduled for release on the 24th. As of this afternoon, its advance ticket sales exceeded 60%, positioning it as a potential box office hit.
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