Choi Min-sik's 'Casino' Captivates Viewers with Thrilling Expansion in the Philippines

The legend of Choi Min-sik continues to captivate audiences.

On the night of the 12th, MBC's special series 'Casino' (directed and written by Kang Yoon-sung/produced by Arc Media, C-JeS Entertainment, BA Entertainment) aired its fourth episode, drawing viewers in with the story of Cha Moo-sik's (played by Choi Min-sik) time in the North Korean special forces and his strategic expansion in the Philippine casino industry.

In 2001 Manila, Cha Moo-sik recovers bad debts for Chairman Min Seok-jun (played by Kim Hong-pa) and confronts President Woo, who was threatening Min, earning the chairman's full support. As Moo-sik's influence grows in the Philippine casino scene, he expands his network by partnering with Seo Tae-seok (played by Heo Sung-tae), introduced by his former casino bar partner Lee Sang-chul (played by Heo Dong-won).

By 2010, Moo-sik, along with Yang Jeong-pal (played by Lee Dong-hwi) and Lee Sang-gu (played by Hong Ki-joon), revamps the agent system, introducing the 'Rolling System' to quantify customer contributions and the 'Comp System' for hotel mileage, revolutionizing the flow of funds. His innate business acumen leads to a staggering profit of approximately 70 billion won in just ten years, cementing his legendary status.

With immense financial power and exceptional social skills, Moo-sik expands his connections with influential figures in the Philippines, even linking up with the president's son. However, a regime change severs his ties with Manila's political circles, prompting him to take over President Woo's casino management with Chairman Min and prepare for a new hotel opening. This scene, hinting at Cha Moo-sik's next big move, saw peak viewership ratings of 5.7% (Nielsen Korea's metropolitan households), reflecting high audience anticipation. The previous third episode recorded a nationwide household rating of 4.8% (Nielsen Korea), marking its highest rating yet.

The episode also delved into Cha Moo-sik's youth, revealing his complex character. After being imprisoned for violating assembly laws, he volunteered for the North Korean special forces to escape unwanted political activism, adding depth to his character's narrative.

Additionally, new characters made their debut, capturing viewers' attention. The tension between Moo-sik and Seo Tae-seok (played by Heo Sung-tae), hotel manager Kim So-jung (played by Son Eun-seo), agent recruit Philip (played by Lee Hae-woo), local casino mogul Chairman Go Young-hee (played by Lee Hye-young), and Korean embassy consul Jo Yoon-ki (played by Lim Hyung-joon) all hint at a shift in the storyline.

MBC's special series, the Disney+ original 'Casino,' portrays the intense psychological battle between the legendary Cha Moo-sik, who makes a final gamble after his downfall, and Korean Desk detective Oh Seung-hoon (played by Son Seok-gu). Episode 5, featuring Cha Moo-sik's second casino venture and Oh Seung-hoon's full-fledged appearance, will air on July 18th at 10 PM on MBC.