The bustling atmosphere at this year’s Berlin Film Festival is electrified with anticipation as South Korea’s latest cinematic offering, “The Roundup: Punishment”, gears up for its grand world premiere. Dating back to its inception, the festival has been a magnet for international storytellers seeking recognition, and the fourth installment of Korea’s adored crime action series is no exception.
The film resumes the gritty journey of Ma Seok-do, a no-nonsense detective played by Don Lee, known for his roles in “Eternals” and “Train to Busan”. This time around, he plunges into the murky depths of an illegal online gambling network. Lee isn’t just the lead actor but also a creative force, having contributed a story by credit. With ambitions to unravel his character’s evolving intellect and expertise over time, Lee has divulged plans to extend the saga potentially up to an eighth sequel. His vision includes a gradual development of the franchise, allowing for nuanced changes in the action sequences and deeper layers to Ma Seok-do’s persona.
As the actors lovingly clutched their fists in a display of solidarity during the film’s photocall at the festival, one could feel the confidence they hold in the sequel’s potency. Joining Lee are talented costars Park Ji-hwan, Kim Moo-yul, and Lee Dong-hwi, forming a stellar ensemble. Captured by photographer Soeren Stache, these moments of unity were emblematic of the film’s team spirit and hopes for broad acclaim.
Director Heo Myeong-Haeng, initially the series’ stunt coordinator, has transitioned into his new role carrying both the weight of predecessors’ successes and the buoyancy of an exceptional cast and script. Heo reassures that the latest offering retains the defining zest and kinetic appeal of the prior entries while introducing formidable adversaries, promising a refreshing chemistry.
The revered “Crime City” films began with “The Outlaws” in 2017, a blockbuster which soared to become one of Korea’s highest-grossing R-rated movies. A recipe for cinematic triumph, the series amassed fans quickly, with “The Roundup” following in 2022 and “The Roundup: No Way Out” hot on its tail in 2023.
Actor Kim Moo-Yul, inhabiting the nefarious role of ex-special forces assassin Baek Chang-gi, attributes the high-octane action’s on-screen smoothness to Heo’s esteemed expertise. Preparing for the physically demanding part, Kim recalls extensive workouts, including rigorous exercises with a dagger, to embody the lethal edge his character demanded.
These actors’ commitment to their roles and the director’s cinematic vision is reflective of a broader trend in South Korean cinema, which has seen an explosion of international interest. Buoyed by titles such as the Academy Award-winning “Parasite”, South Korean filmmakers have found a robust global stage, filled with viewers ripe for engaging storytelling, rich in both cultural authenticity and universal human experiences.
The Berlinale stands as a springboard for “The Roundup: Punishment” and by extension, for South Korean cinema’s compelling foray onto international screens. With the world watching, the film not only seeks to delight long-standing fans but also to captivate a diverse and expanding audience, drawing them into the thrilling world of Ma Seok-do – a world where justice battles the odds, choreographed to the rhythm of high-stakes action and unyielding determination. All eyes now turn to Friday’s world premiere, where “The Roundup: Punishment” sets out to round up applause, accolades, and a well-deserved actor in the realm of global cinema.
