TV
MBC's 'Casino' Premieres with Strong Ratings, Showcasing Choi Min-sik's Powerhouse Performance
On the night of the 4th, MBC's special series 'Casino' (directed and written by Kang Yoon-sung) premiered at 10 PM, achieving a peak rating of 5.8% and a nationwide household rating of 4.5%, according to Nielsen Korea. This placed it at the top of its time slot. A standout moment was when Cha Moo-sik (played by Choi Min-sik) decides to open a casino bar with Ahn Chi-young (played by Kim Min-jae) in Daejeon, saying, "Let's go for it," which spiked the ratings to 5.8% in the metropolitan area, reflecting viewers' anticipation for the storyline.
The first episode opened with Cha Moo-sik, once a dominant figure in the Philippine casino scene, being arrested by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation for the murder of his benefactor, Min Seok-jun (played by Kim Hong-pa), the president of the Caliz Hotel, and Chinese gangsters. During a press conference, Moo-sik, handcuffed, maintains a stoic demeanor but eventually erupts in anger, using profanity.
The episode also delves into Moo-sik's troubled childhood. Young Moo-sik (played by Song Min-jae), left at a daycare due to poverty, reunites with his mother after two years and moves to Yeongju. There, he survives by working at a gambling den run by his gangster father, Cha Kyung-deok (played by Kim Roe-ha), who frequently ends up in prison. His mother (played by Bae Hae-sun) sells food, while Moo-sik runs errands at the gambling den. Despite the exposure to gambling, violence, and crime, Moo-sik finds happiness learning to read from his father. However, when his father is imprisoned again, the family falls apart, and Moo-sik moves to Daejeon with his mother, where he reunites with his daycare friend Park Jong-hyun (played by Seo Yoon-hyuk) and starts selling newspapers, showcasing his business acumen by selling out on his first day.
As time passes, the grown-up Moo-sik runs an English academy in Daejeon. Through his friend Jong-hyun (played by Lee Moon-sik), now a detective, he meets Chi-young, the president of a casino game company, and is introduced to baccarat. Realizing the potential for profit, Moo-sik closes his academy and opens a casino bar.
The episode also flashes back to Moo-sik's high school years, depicting his struggle to survive amidst poverty and a troubled family. Young Moo-sik (played by Lee Kyu-hyung) reveals his survival instincts through street fights, petty crimes, and friendships, providing insight into the origins of 'Cha Moo-sik.'
MBC has scheduled 'Casino' Season 1 to air every Friday and Saturday at 10 PM, with Season 2 set to begin on July 27, airing every Sunday night. Originally a Disney+ original series, 'Casino' has been praised for director Kang Yoon-sung's impactful direction and Choi Min-sik's commanding presence, becoming a notable success in the OTT-broadcast strategy model.
The second episode of MBC's special series 'Casino,' featuring the beginning of Moo-sik's escape and his youth, airs at 10 PM.
Reporter: Im Chae-ryeong, Ten Asia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr
