According to industry sources, The Roundup 5 (directed by Heo Myung Haeng), led once again by Ma Dong Seok, has entered full-scale production preparations after roughly two years of hiatus following the previous installment. The team is currently in pre-production, aiming to begin filming later this year.
As always, the identity of the new villain has drawn the most attention and this time, the role has reportedly been confidentially offered to actor Kim Jae Young. Known for his steady rise across television dramas and diverse characters, Kim Jae Young is said to be coordinating schedules and finalizing discussions. Barring unexpected changes, he is expected to become the fifth major antagonist in the The Roundup series, following in the footsteps of Yoon Kye Sang, Son Suk Ku, Lee Joon Hyuk, and Kim Mu Yeol.
Kim Jae Young debuted as a model in 2011 before building a solid acting résumé through projects such as My Secret Romance, Black, 100 Days My Prince, Dear My Room, Secret Boutique, Beautiful Love, Wonderful Life, Reflection of You, Love in Contract, The Judge from Hell, and My Lovely Journey. He is currently gaining popularity through ENA’s ongoing drama Idol I, where he plays the role of Do Ra Ik, attracting a growing fanbase.
While his screen appearances have been relatively limited brief roles in films like No Breathing, Derailed, Golden Slumber, and Money this has only heightened anticipation. Known for his warm and earnest image, Kim Jae Young is seen as a “raw gem,” prompting curiosity over what kind of darker, more intense transformation the The Roundup team, famous for discovering new villain personas, will draw out of him.
The The Roundup franchise began in October 2017, when the original film shocked the industry by drawing over 6.88 million viewers despite its R-rated classification. The momentum only grew: The Roundup (2022) surpassed 12.69 million, The Roundup: No Way Out (2023) reached 10.68 million, and The Roundup: Punishment (2024) added 11.5 million, cementing the series as an unprecedented box office phenomenon and a rare case of three consecutive films crossing the 10-million mark.
At the heart of the franchise’s appeal is Ma Dong Seok’s iconic image as a detective who punishes evil with his bare fists, paired with villains who stand in stark contrast to his overwhelming presence. Drawing inspiration from real-life crimes from cross-border gang crackdowns and overseas kidnappings to drug trafficking and large-scale online gambling rings the series has consistently delivered cathartic action that resonates with audiences.
After releasing The Roundup, The Roundup: No Way Out, and The Roundup: Punishment consecutively over three years, the production team took a brief pause before preparing for their promised comeback. Ma Dong Seok has previously revealed that story outlines already exist up to The Roundup 8, and with the fifth installment now gearing up, attention is once again focused on whether the franchise can launch yet another march toward the 10-million mark.
With Kim Jae Young poised to take on the role of the next formidable villain, expectations are high for what new energy The Roundup 5 will bring to Korea’s most successful action series.
Sources: Nate