Ma Dong-seok goes all out to create iconic action hero in 'The Outlaws' threequel

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Sun, October 1, 2023 | 20:51

Films

Ma Dong-seok goes all out to create iconic action hero in 'The Outlaws' threequel

Posted : 2023-05-25 08:24

Updated : 2023-05-25 16:54

A scene from the film "The Roundup: No Way Out" / Courtesy of ABO Entertainment

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Actor Ma Dong-seok said he has poured his heart and soul into making "The Roundup: No Way Out," the third installment of "The Outlaws" series.

The bone-crunching action comedy film follows detective Ma Seok-do (Ma) after he has joined the Regional Investigation Unit. He and his colleagues discover that Japanese gangsters have smuggled illegal drugs into Korea and an unidentified villain is involved in the distribution. ?

Actor Lee Jun-hyuk joins the franchise as the new film's villain while Japanese actor Aoki Munetaka will play Riki, a member of the yakuza syndicate.

Unlike the two previous films ― "The Outlaws" (2017) and "The Roundup" (2022) ― that featured a single villain, "The Roundup: No Way Out" features two antagonists.

"The two villains are not parallel characters. They are three-dimensional, powerful characters who build the thrill and complicate Ma's investigation," he said during an interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Wednesday.

Asked what makes "The Outlaws" franchise so successful, Ma said, "I think there is catharsis in seeing a real person risking life and limb on screen. Detectives say they get vicarious satisfaction from watching my character because in real life they aren't allowed to beat or kick offenders."

"The Outlaws" garnered 6.8 million in ticket sales while "The Roundup" topped 10 million admissions in local theaters, becoming the country's biggest commercial hit of 2022.

Actor Ma Dong-seok, also known by his English name Don Lee / Courtesy of ABO Entertainment

The actor, who has appeared in more than 120 films and TV series, said he always dreamed of becoming an action hero. In fact, many of the roles Ma has landed are strong, muscle-bound characters who lead their team to prevail over the bad guys.

However, the 52-year-old actor explained he tries not to repeat himself as the sequels progress. "I don't want to repeat myself. So I tried to change the tone of voice and intensify the action. Perhaps wanting to develop the character beyond Ma's signature persona is also an obsession," he said.

He added that a larger-scale production doesn't necessarily mean better. "A good action movie doesn't always require a high-speed car chase or hanging from helicopters. The plots and the stunts grow bigger as the sequels progress. But at its heart, this action hero franchise is a reminder that good always beats evil," he said.

Ma hinted that he has several future projects in the works based on the Hollywood projects he already has under his belt. "With 'The Outlaws' franchise, I received remake offers from the U.S. I have to film two additional Marvel movies because I signed a three-movie contract (including 'Eternals') good for 10 years, act in and co-produce the Hollywood remake of Korean thriller 'The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil' and a human drama film, which is a Korean remake of a Hollywood film," he said.

"The Roundup: No Way Out" will hit local theaters, May 31.

yeons.kwak@koreatimes.co.kr