‘The Roundup: No Way Out’ Star Lee Joon Hyuk Reveals How Ma Dong Seok Convinced Him to Play Villain Role
Lee Joon Hyuk embraces his villain role, showing off his mysterious aura in the latest issue of Allue Korea.
The South Korean top star is booked and busy headlining movies and K-dramas. One of his big-screen projects is playing the antagonist in "The Roundup: No Way Out." Lee Joon Hyuk is among the lead stars in the highly-anticipated sequel, joining Ma Dong Seok and Japanese actor Aoki Munetaka.
Adding to the list of "The Roundup: No Way Out" cast members is Park Ji Hwan, returning as Jang Yi Soo.
In an interview with Allure Korea, Lee Joon Hyuk shares his thoughts about being part of the much-awaited movie and playing a character that is different from his previous roles.
Lee Joon Hyuk Shows Off Ripped Physique for Allure Korea May 2023 Issue
As seen in the photos released by Allure Korea on Instagram, the 39-year-old star flaunted his unique charms and youthful aura as he looked dapper in an all black ensemble.
Lee Joon Hyuk surely made fans swoon with his intense eyes and fierce look.
During the interview with the organization for their May 2023 issue, he spoke about playing the new villain. He takes on the role of Joo Sung Cheol, the third-generation villain who will go against detective Ma Seok Do (Ma Dong Seok), and Munetaka Aoki (Riki Yakuza).
According to Lee Joon Hyuk, viewers should expect an intense confrontation between Sung Cheol and Detective Masukdo.
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When asked about the differences between the new villain compared to the two previous antagonists, he said his character is very "stragetic" with his actions.
"If Jang Chen (Yoon Kye Sang) and Hae Sang Kang (Son Seo Koo) were beastly villains, Joo Sung Cheol would rather think than put his instincts first," he said, raising expectations about chemistry with Ma Dong Seok.
The actor also revealed that he purposely bulked up for the movie.
Based on his Allure Korea photos, Lee Joon Hyuk's transformation featured his ripped and toned physique. He then revealed that he incorporated his character by changing his body shape and doing a lot of workouts.
Here's How Lee Joon Hyuk Was Offered by Ma Dong Seok for 'The Roundup: No Way Out'
After the release of the second installment, "The Roundup," Ma Dong Seok officially announced that the movie would return with its third and fourth sequels.
On the other hand, Lee Joon Hyuk revealed how he got the offer.
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The actor said that he personally got a call from Ma Dong Seok, who is also the executive producer of the film.
"About a year ago, while I was driving, I got a phone call from senior Ma Dong Seok," he recalled, adding that it was before "The Roundup" was released. "He said that he was planning to make "The Roundup 3" and asked me to join him."
When Lee Joon Hyuk asked about the potential role for him, Ma Dong Seok only said one word, and that is "villain."
Upon hearing it, he immediately agreed and said, "I would do it on the spot without knowing anything," adding that he was "moved" upon hearing the names of the actors that he would be working with.
"The Roundup: No Way Out" officially wrapped up filming in July 2022, and is set to premiere on the big screen in the first half of 2023, as cited by a media outlet.
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