Korea’s #1 Box Office Franchise Is Back—5th Film Confirmed After 40M Viewers

2025-05-01 16:00

The blockbuster Korean franchise that drew over 40 million viewers is officially returning with a fifth film. Here’s what we know about the next chapter of Korea’s record-setting action saga.

The first Korean movie series to surpass 40 million total viewers is back. After three consecutive 10-million-viewer box office hits, the iconic franchise powered by Ma Dong-seok returns with a new chapter — and fans are already buzzing with anticipation.

The Roundup 2, Son Sukku, Still Cut. / Courtesy of AOB Entertainment, Plus M Entertainment

Ma Dong-seok, the face and force behind Korea’s most successful action franchise, is bringing The Roundup 5 (범죄도시5) to life. With a legacy that includes over 40 million cumulative viewers — a first in Korean cinema history — the Roundup series has defied the odds to become a box office titan.

In a recent interview about his new movie Holy Night: Demon Hunters, Ma confirmed that the next installment of The Roundup is currently in development and expected to begin filming next year. “I’m writing four scripts right now — the outlines are done. Writers are working on episodes 5 to 8 simultaneously,” he said, revealing ambitious long-term plans for the franchise.

The franchise, which launched in 2017, has grown exponentially in popularity. Despite an R-rating, the first film drew 6.88 million viewers. The second (2022) shattered pandemic-era records by surpassing 12.69 million, while the third (2023) and fourth (2024) each topped 10 million within weeks. That success makes The Roundup the only Korean film series to cross 40 million admissions — a record only rivaled in Korea by Marvel’s Avengers series, which stands at 42.7 million.

The Roundup 4 Still Cut. / Courtesy of AOB Entertainment, Plus M Entertainment

At the heart of the franchise’s success is Ma Dong-seok, who not only stars as the no-nonsense detective Ma Seok-do but also serves as creator, writer, and producer. Inspired by real-life cases and interviews with police officers, his gritty, humorous, and charismatic portrayal has defined the series. In The Roundup 4, the plot was based on a real 2015 murder case involving a Korean programmer in Pattaya, Thailand, adding a chilling layer of realism to the film.

With his boxing background, Ma brings authentic fight choreography to the screen, heightening the visceral intensity of each film. He's also the only Korean actor to star in six 10-million-viewer films, including Train to Busan, Along with the Gods 1 & 2, and the Roundup sequels.

Originally set in Seoul’s Chinatown, the series wasn’t initially intended to spawn sequels. But overwhelming word-of-mouth turned the gritty police drama into a nationwide phenomenon. After easing its rating from R to 15+ for wider appeal, The Roundup grew into a full-fledged cinematic universe, with Ma now confirming plans to continue up to the eighth installment.

Although casting for the fifth film remains under wraps, the excitement is mounting. The established franchise roadmap and consistent track record suggest that The Roundup 5 is poised for another box office takeover.

Meanwhile, Ma is expanding his horizons with Holy Night: Demon Hunters, set to debut on April 30. This occult action film stars Ma as “Bao,” a dark hero who battles evil cults with his fists, alongside co-stars Seohyun and Lee David. Ma also helped produce and write the film, diving into supernatural territory for the first time.