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A blockbuster investigation moves online
The Korean action-crime film “The Roundup 4” follows hard-hitting detective Ma Seok-do as a drug investigation expands into a sprawling online gambling case. Released April 24, 2024, the 109-minute film became the 33rd movie in South Korea to surpass 10 million admissions, a major benchmark in the country’s theatrical market.
Set in 2018, the story begins three years after the franchise’s previous drug case. Ma and the Seoul Metropolitan Investigation Unit trace narcotics sold through a delivery app, then discover that the death of a wanted app developer in the Philippines is connected to an illegal online gambling organization. The case brings metropolitan detectives and cybercrime investigators together as they pursue a network involved in kidnapping, confinement, assault and murder.
At the center of the operation are Baek Chang-ki, a former special forces mercenary who serves as an enforcer for an illegal gambling group called Emperor Casino, and Jang Dong-cheol, a technology CEO planning an even larger operation in South Korea. Ma also seeks unlikely help from Jang Yi-soo, a recurring character who returns in a leading role.
Ma Dong-seok faces Kim Moo-yul
Ma Dong-seok stars as Ma Seok-do, with Kim Moo-yul playing Baek Chang-ki, Park Ji-hwan appearing as Jang Yi-soo and Lee Dong-hwi portraying Jang Dong-cheol. Lee Beom-soo, Kim Min-jae, Lee Ji-hoon and Kwak Ja-hyoung also appear, while Lee Joo-bin and Kim Shin-bi join the cast as members of the cybercrime unit. The film reunites Ma and Kim after their earlier appearance together in “The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil.”
Director Heo Myung-haeng, who served as action director on the franchise’s first three movies, took over directing duties for the fourth installment. Production was arranged so Heo could prepare the film while Lee Sang-yong directed the third entry, allowing the sequels to be shot in close succession. Filming ran from Nov. 18, 2022, to Feb. 25, 2023.
Ma described the fourth movie as more emotionally developed, intense and somber than the third, with a stronger film noir tone. Kim also increased his size for the role of Baek, sharpening the movie’s central physical confrontation.
A franchise record
According to the Korean Film Council’s KOBIS box office system, “The Roundup 4” had recorded 11,492,094 admissions as of June 23, 2024. Its performance made “The Roundup” the first Korean film franchise to have three individual installments exceed 10 million admissions.
The film received the best picture prize at the 2024 Seoul International Film Awards, where Heo won the award for new director. It is the fourth entry in the series and concludes the franchise’s first major story arc.
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