Sayart.net - South Korean Crime Action Franchise ＂The Roundup: No Way Out＂ Achieves Record-Breaking Success Amidst Pandemic Slump

ABO Entertainment

The South Korean crime action franchise, "The Roundup: No Way Out," starring the acclaimed Don Lee, also known as Ma Dong-seok, has achieved an unprecedented milestone by attracting a staggering 10.9 million moviegoers as of Saturday, according to the film's distributor, ABO Entertainment.

"The Roundup: No Way Out" marks the 21st local film and the 30th film released in South Korea to reach this remarkable feat. Moreover, it is the first film this year to set such a record, captivating audiences since its opening on May 31.

This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy against the backdrop of the sluggish recovery of South Korean cinema amidst the ongoing pandemic. Data from the Korean Film Council reveals that ticket sales for domestic films last month experienced a 19 percent decline, with a substantial 32.3 percent decrease in the number of admissions sold compared to June 2019.

Throughout the first half of this year, not a single Korean film managed to break even, despite featuring star-studded lineups and mega-scale blockbusters such as "The Point Men," "Phantom," and "The Devil's Deal." However, "The Roundup: No Way Out" has emerged as a shining exception, becoming the first film in 11 months to turn a profit since "The Night Owl" in November of last year.

Reflecting on this extraordinary journey, Lee expressed his gratitude in a heartfelt social media post, stating, "Eight years ago, I was sitting inside a small room, uncertain about the practicality of bringing this film to life. Despite facing trials and errors, the first film of the series, 'The Outlaws,' was released, followed by the miraculous success of 'The Roundup' with 12.6 million moviegoers. Today, we are blessed with a third miracle."

"The Roundup: No Way Out" serves as the third installment of the action franchise, which commenced with "The Outlaws" in 2017, attracting 6.87 million viewers. Its sequel, "The Roundup," dominated the domestic box office last year with an impressive 12.69 million ticket sales. Notably, it became the first film to exceed 10 million viewers since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

In the latest film, Lee reprised his role as detective Ma Seok-do, embarking on a relentless pursuit of a local drug ring as a dangerous new substance spreads through the city's clubs.

Within a mere ten days of its release, the third installment soared to become the fourth highest-grossing film globally, amassing $25.3 million in ticket sales. Industry insiders reveal that "The Roundup: No Way Out" had a production budget of 13.5 billion won ($10.25 million) and reached the break-even point at 1.8 million admissions.

The film has not only captivated audiences in Korean theaters but has also made its mark in international markets, including Hong Kong, Macao, North America, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Mongolia. ABO Entertainment, the film's distributor, reports that it has been pre-sold in 158 countries.

Moreover, "The Roundup: No Way Out" achieved the 4 million ticket sales mark at an unprecedented pace, surpassing its predecessor.

Sayart.net

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