The acclaimed Disney+ series 'Casino', featuring stellar performances by actors Choi Min-sik and Son Seok-gu, is set to premiere on MBC.
MBC has announced the broadcast of the 'Casino' series, originally a Disney+ production directed and written by Kang Yoon-sung, produced by Arc Media, C-JeS Entertainment, and BA Entertainment. The series will debut on July 4th as part of MBC's special series lineup. Ahead of its release, MBC has highlighted three key points for viewers to watch for.
'Casino' is a gripping crime action series that follows the intense psychological battle between the legendary figure of the Philippine casino world, Cha Moo-sik, and the relentless Korean Desk detective, Oh Seung-hoon. After its initial release on Disney+, the series garnered significant attention for its intense narrative and intricate storytelling, earning accolades as "the pinnacle of Korean crime drama" and achieving high viewership on OTT platforms. It has been recognized as a standout in Disney+'s lineup of Korean original series. This broadcast marks MBC's second cross-platform strategy following last year's 'Moving', aiming to diversify content distribution and expand viewing opportunities.
The drama 'Casino' chronicles the life of Cha Moo-sik, a legendary figure in the Philippine casino industry who survives amidst endless turmoil. Beyond a simple crime drama, it delves into the depths of human nature, desire, betrayal, and the consequences of choices, characterized by its heavy emotional narrative.
The series was filmed entirely on location across the Philippines, enhancing its realism. Scenes shot in actual locations such as casino interiors, the outskirts of Manila, urban backstreets, and slums have drawn viewer reactions likening it to a documentary for its authenticity.
Director Kang Yoon-sung stated, "I wanted the space itself to become a stage that draws out the actors' emotions," emphasizing his 'on-site immersive direction' approach that aligns the atmosphere of the filming location with the actors' emotions.
'Casino' creates powerful suspense through the dynamics between its three main characters. Actors Choi Min-sik, Son Seok-gu, and Lee Dong-hwi each represent different worldviews, serving as key pillars driving the narrative.
Returning to television after 26 years, Choi Min-sik portrays Cha Moo-sik, capturing the duality of being both a perpetrator and a victim, a hero and a monster. His line, "My life's last gamble," symbolizes the character's desperation as he stakes everything.
Son Seok-gu plays Oh Seung-hoon, a detective torn between cold rationality and a sense of justice. His line, "Truth that cannot be caught by law," underscores his character's relentless pursuit at the boundary of justice and crime.
Lee Dong-hwi appears as Yang Jeong-pal, a shadowy figure to Moo-sik, blending humor, violence, loyalty, and anger into a complex character. His line, "I wanted to hear the words 'my side'," left a lasting impression on viewers.
Director Kang Yoon-sung, known for his genre expertise through the film 'The Outlaws', took on both writing and directing for 'Casino', crafting a solid narrative that oscillates between thriller and human drama. He stated, "'Casino' is a crime drama, but ultimately a story about people," focusing on human desire, choices, and their consequences.
Recently, during a promotional event for Disney+'s new series 'Fine', Director Kang mentioned, "Through 'Casino', I realized how much creative freedom OTT platforms can offer creators." He described it as a project that allowed him to fully capture the details of the set and the chemistry with the actors, expanding his directorial vision.
Meanwhile, MBC's special series 'Casino' will premiere on July 4th at 10 PM.
Reported by Kim Se-ah, TenAsia haesmik@tenasia.co.kr