In the Korean film industry, surpassing ten million viewers remains a rare and significant achievement. Yet, the 'The Roundup' series has now reached this milestone for the fourth time.
The recently released 'THE ROUNDUP : PUNISHMENT' has proven the enduring popularity and impact of the series by crossing ten million viewers. Notably, it set a new record as the first Korean movie to achieve a 'Triple Ten Million' viewership. According to the Korea Film Council, this feat was accomplished just 22 days after its release, making it the fastest film to reach ten million viewers in 2024.
1. THE OUTLAWS (범죄도시1)
'THE ROUNDUP' series has been beloved by fans since the first film, 'THE OUTLAWS (범죄도시1),' debuted in 2017. The film, set in 2004 in Guro District’s Chinatown in Seoul, South Korea, portrays detectives dismantling an ethnic Korean crime syndicate. It featured intense urban crime and battles between police and criminals, starring Ma Dong-seok, Yoon Kye-sang (윤계상), Jo Jae-yoon (조재윤), and Choi Gwi-hwa (최귀화). This blend of compelling narrative and strong performances drew an audience of 6.8 million, despite its mature rating.
2. THE ROUNDUP (범죄도시2)
'THE ROUNDUP (범죄도시2),' released in 2022, attracted 12.69 million viewers. The film continued the narrative four years after the events in Guro, with the police squad from Geumcheon Police Station tasked with extraditing a suspect who has fled to Vietnam. Ma Dong-seok reprised his role, joined by new additions Son Suk-ku(손석구) and Choi Gwi-hwa (최귀화), enhancing the film’s dynamic action sequences and deepening its storyline.
3. THE ROUNDUP: NO WAY OUT (범죄도시3)
'THE ROUNDUP: NO WAY OUT (범죄도시3)' followed in 2023, adding another 10.68 million viewers to the series’ success. Set seven years after apprehending a kidnapper in Vietnam, 'Ma Seok-do' (played by Ma Dong-seok) and his new team members investigate a murder, further exploring themes of crime and justice. This installment featured Ma Dong-seok alongside Aoki Munetaka(아오키 무네타카) and Lee Jun-hyuk (이준혁), whose performances were pivotal in driving the film’s critical and commercial success.
4. THE ROUNDUP: PUNISHMENT (범죄도시4)
'THE ROUNDUP: PUNISHMENT (범죄도시4)' opened on April 24 and had surpassed ten million viewers by May 15. Building on the success of the previous films, it expanded the storyline and introduced more nuanced character portrayals, providing an even more intense and engaging experience for the audience. Three years after handling a new drug case, ‘Ma Seok-do’ and the Seoul Metropolitan Police's major crimes unit start to dismantle a large-scale illegal online gambling organization that is connected to the death of a wanted app developer in the Philippines. The film stars Ma Dong-seok, Kim Mu-yeol (김무열), Lee Dong-hwi (이동휘), and Park Ji-hwan (박지환), who bring the gritty narrative to life.
'THE ROUNDUP: PUNISHMENT' was also invited to the 'Special Gala' section of the 74th Berlin International Film Festival before its release, marking its international acclaim. Following its premiere, it has set new box office records not only in Korea but also in North America, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Mongolia.
This series, with its intense action, solid storylines, and strong characters, continues to be highly recommended for film enthusiasts. With each installment introducing new elements while maintaining the core essence, 'THE ROUNDUP' series remains accessible and engaging for both longtime fans and new viewers. As proven by its ongoing success, the series is expected to hold a significant place in the Korean film industry for years to come.