Ma Dong Seok spills surprising secrets regarding the upcoming action crime film "The Roundup."
The Korean-American actor, with fellow cast members, appeared as a guest at KBS2's "All Year Live" to promote the new movie.
"The Roundup," which stars "The Eternals" actor with Son Seok Koo, Choi Gwi Hwa, and more, is the sequel to the 2017 film "The Outlaw."
It continues the journey of the popular crime police Ma Seok Do, played by Ma Dong Seok, also known as Don Lee in Hollywood, four years after he and his team successfully wiped out the operation in Garibong-dong.
With a new mission, the monster detective with Geumcheonseo's powerful team is ready to carry out a special task.
A mix of OG cast and new faces for "The Roundup" predicts more exciting action schemes and more attractive villain characters than the first installment.
However, it's not only the plot and cast lineup that are different.
Did 'The Roundup' Cast Receive Higher Salary than 'The Outlaws'? Here's What Ma Dong Seok Says
During his guest appearance on the KBS2 talk show, Ma Dong Seok, who also participated as a producer of the movie, was asked about the budget of the upcoming film.
The host asked if the talent fee increased, given that "The Outlaws" gained positive feedback and was well-loved by viewers during its release.
The actors laughed when they heard the question, but Ma Dong Seok admitted that the budget "went up a bit," adding "the scale has grown, and the budget for the movie has gone up," he said confidently, hinting that the actors also got more pay than those who appeared the first film.
READ MORE: Ma Dong Seok's Movie 'The Eternals' Hits 3 Million Viewers + Actor Shares Instagram Post with Co-Star and Former One Direction Member Harry Styles
In the sequel, Ma Dong Seok, Choi Gwi Hwa, who played Chief Jeon, Yoon Byung Hee as the Gasoline, Park Ji Hwan, and Ha Joon, who took the role of Kang Hong Suk, reprised their roles and appeared in "The Roundup."
'The Roundup' Cast Shares Preparation for the Film
As the interview continues, lead star and villain Son Seok Koo shared that he "practiced a lot" and "went to action school" as preparation for the movie.
Meanwhile, Park Ji Hwan, who is among the supporting characters, praised Ma Dong Seok for his stellar performance.
The actor expressed his admiration for the Korean-American star "uses his body really well,", especially in action-packed scenes.
"The Roundup" release date is scheduled to hit the big screen on May 18 and will be released in the U.S., Mongolia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines, as well as France, Japan, and India.
According to the Korea Times, K-movie Entertainment, which is in charge of the film's international sales, predicts that it will be another box office film just like the success of "The Outlaws."
In a statement, the official shared that "foreign buyers have shown interest in "The Roundup" because it marks Ma's first Korean film since his appearance in Marvel Studios 'Eternals.'"
