The Roundup: No Way Out (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office
The Roundup: No Way Out is a 2023 comedy thriller directed by Lee Sang-yong, starring Lee Sang-won as Detective, Han Ki-jang and Don Lee. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $83.4 million worldwide. Its Echo Score is 74/100.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 45m (105 min)
- Director
- Lee Sang-yong
- Original language
-
Korean
- Studio
- Big Punch Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Roundup: No Way Out About?
The premise of The Roundup: No Way Out without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Detective Ma Seok‑do transfers from the Geumcheon Police Station to the Metropolitan Investigation Team to take down a wave of Japanese gangsters operating in Korea, launching a relentless pursuit to eliminate the criminals responsible for brutal offenses.
The Roundup: No Way Out Themes & Keywords
· 7 tags- yakuza
- corrupt cop
- other
- third part
- drugs
- murder
- martial arts action
The Roundup: No Way Out Cast & Characters
Lee Sang-won leads the cast as Detective, with Han Ki-jang as Police and Don Lee as Ma Seok-do. Directed by Lee Sang-yong; 41 actors are credited in all.
- Director Lee Sang-yong
- Lee Sang-won as Detective
- Han Ki-jang as Police
- Don Lee as Ma Seok-do
- Kang Yoon as Hiroshi
Also Starring in The Roundup: No Way Out
· 37 more- Ko Kyu-phil Cho-rong
- Lee Beom-soo Jang Tae-su
- Park Ji-hwan Jang I-soo
- Lee Jin-hee Park Jin-ah's guardian
- Han Da-hee Park Jin-ah
- Jun Kunimura President Ichizo
- Kim Min-jae Kim Man-jae
- Lee Ji-hoon Yang Jong-su
- Munetaka Aoki Riki
- Jun Suk-ho Kim Yang-ho
- Lee Jun-hyuk Joo Seong-cheol
- Ko Gun-han Speed
- Han Kyu-won Kim Yong-guk
- Lee Tae-kyu Masa
- Choi Kwang-je Lee Sang-cheol
- Min Kim Riki's Subordinate
Show all 41 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Lee Se-ho Gong Tae-il
- Jeon Ah-hee Doctor
- Park Jun-hyuk Tomo's subordinate
- Choi Dong-goo Hwang Dong-gu
- Kim Ki-ho Director Baek
- Ahn Se-ho Ryo Tomokawa
- Ryu Sung-hyun Jung Gyeong-sik
- Son In-yong Taxi Driver
- Gong Teyu Tomo's Man
- Bae Noo-ri Mimi
- Shim Young-eun President Jin
- Yoo In-hyuk Candy
- Jung Mi-hyeong Female passenger on taxi
- Cho Kook-hyung Detecitve
- Shon Ji-young Ko Sun-hee
- Kim Do-gun Jung Da-wit
- Choi Woo-jun Lee Gang-ho
- Choi Choon-beom Guard
- Hong Jun-young Maha
- Shin Hyeon-yong Auto Door
- Yeon Ye-rim Club girl #1
More from Lee Sang-yong
One more film directed by Lee Sang-yong: The Roundup.
The Roundup: No Way Out Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 74/100, strongest in sensory experience (88) and weakest in story & flow (60).
The Roundup: No Way Out Echo Score Breakdown
The Roundup: No Way Out delivers consistent high‑octane action and a charismatic central performance, which sustain viewer engagement despite a formulaic narrative. Visual execution, including crisp cinematography and kinetic fight choreography, is frequently praised, while the story suffers from repetitive beats and underdeveloped antagonists. Supporting characters receive limited depth, contributing to a mixed emotional impact. Overall, the film succeeds as an entertaining genre entry but falls short of advancing the series creatively.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 85
In terms of direction and visual craft, reviewers highlight sharp cinematography, effective night‑shot lighting, and dynamic editing that accentuate the film's kinetic energy. The action sequences are noted for their clear choreography and impactful punch‑visualization. Although some cite repetitive pacing, the overall technical execution is viewed as a strong asset, reinforcing the movie's high‑energy tone.
- Character & Emotion 65
When evaluating character work, Ma Dong‑sek's performance is praised for charisma and physical presence, yet the ensemble suffers from limited development. Critics observe a lack of depth for supporting roles and a generic villain who fails to pose a credible threat. The imbalance between a compelling lead and thin secondary characters yields a mixed impression of the film's emotional resonance.
- Story & Flow 60
The narrative is described as straightforward and serviceable, delivering familiar procedural beats and occasional twists. However, many reviewers criticize the plot for being repetitive, overly convoluted, and lacking originality. The pacing remains brisk, but the story's reliance on formulaic tropes diminishes its overall engagement, positioning it as a functional but unremarkable entry.
- Sensory Experience 88
Sensory elements receive strong commendation, with reviewers noting a well‑balanced soundtrack, crisp sound design, and striking visual style that enhances the impact of fight scenes. The tonal mix of humor and intensity is supported by consistent audio cues, and the film's visual polish is repeatedly cited as a highlight of the viewing experience.
- Rewatch Factor 70
Rewatch potential is considered moderate to high, particularly for fans of the franchise who enjoy the familiar action‑comedy formula. While the film's entertainment value and end‑credit cameo encourage repeat viewings, the repetitive plot and limited character evolution may reduce its lasting appeal for broader audiences.
The Roundup: No Way Out Plot Summary
What happens in The Roundup: No Way Out from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Detective Ma Seok-do, Don Lee, and his team are promoted to the Metropolitan Investigation Unit, plunging into a high-stakes case that opens with the mysterious death of a woman named Go Sun-hee. The investigation quickly pivots on the autopsy, which reveals Sun-hee had been using a dangerous drug called Hiper, hinting at a larger network of narcotics rather than a simple homicide. The team dives into the city’s nightlife and criminal underworld, tracing the drug’s origins and the people who move it.
Full summary
The whole story of The Roundup: No Way Out, scene by scene
The Roundup: No Way Out Box Office
The Roundup: No Way Out grossed $83.4 million worldwide. $909,411 came from the US and Canada and $82.5 million (99%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$83.4M
- US & Canada
- $909.4K
- International
- $82.5M
The Roundup: No Way Out Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 3 trailers.
- Trailer Official Trailer [Subtitled]
- Trailer Trailer [Dubbed]
How Well Do You Know The Roundup: No Way Out?
9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 9
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
Which police unit is Detective Ma Seok-do promoted to at the start of the film?
Seen The Roundup: No Way Out?
Movies Like The Roundup: No Way Out
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Roundup, Outrage Coda and Injeong sajeong bol geot eobtda.
The Roundup: No Way Out FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of The Roundup: No Way Out, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Roundup: No Way Out?
The Roundup: No Way Out runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).
When was The Roundup: No Way Out released?
The Roundup: No Way Out was released on May 31, 2023.
Who directed The Roundup: No Way Out?
The Roundup: No Way Out was directed by Lee Sang-yong.
More films by Lee Sang-yong Who is in the cast of The Roundup: No Way Out?
The Roundup: No Way Out stars Lee Sang-won as Detective, Han Ki-jang as Police and Don Lee as Ma Seok-do, among 41 credited actors.
How much did The Roundup: No Way Out make at the box office?
The Roundup: No Way Out grossed $83.4 million worldwide ($909,411 domestic, $82.5 million international).
Does The Roundup: No Way Out have a post-credit scene?
No. The Roundup: No Way Out has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is The Roundup: No Way Out in?
The original language of The Roundup: No Way Out is Korean.
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