The fourth installment of the popular Korean franchise, The Roundup: Punishment, has made a significant impact in its home market with a new all-time opening day presales record. Starring and executive produced by Ma Dong-seok (Don Lee), the crime action film has garnered an impressive 834,000 ticket reservations, representing 95.5% of all sales. This surpasses the franchise’s previous best presales record of 640K for 2023’s The Roundup: No Way Out, which ultimately grossed $76.4M in the market.
The success of The Roundup: Punishment is not limited to its own franchise, as it has also outperformed Hollywood titles in the Korean market this year. The film’s opening day presales exceeded those of previous blockbusters like 2018’s Along with the Gods: The Last 49 Days, which held the record with 646K in presales. The strong showing of Punishment bodes well for the Korean box office, which has been experiencing a resurgence following a record March driven by the success of horror film Exhuma.
Directed by Heo Myeong-haeng, The Roundup: Punishment follows the character Detective Ma Seok-do as he joins the Cyber Investigation Team to pursue a ruthless kingpin and cryptocurrency entrepreneur operating through online casinos. The film premiered at the Berlin Film Festival to critical acclaim, with reviewers praising its thrilling storyline and entertainment value. Stephanie Bunbury’s review for Deadline highlighted the film’s stylish packaging and well-crafted plot, noting Don Lee’s performance as a key element of its excellence.
The Roundup: Punishment has made a significant impact on the Korean film industry, setting new records and garnering positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. Its success not only solidifies its place in the franchise but also showcases the strength of Korean cinema on a global scale. With its engaging storyline, talented cast, and strong box office performance, The Roundup: Punishment is a testament to the creativity and innovation present in Korean filmmaking.