[Current Drama 2024] No Way Out: The Roulette , 노 웨이 아웃: 더 룰렛 -Jo Jin Woong, Yoo Jae Myung, Kim Moo yeol & Lee Kwang Soo- Wednesday

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Premiere Watch: No Way Out – The Roulette

by missvictrix

 

Time slot: Wednesdays
Genre: Crime, action, thriller, noir
Episode count: 8
Global streamer: LG U+ Mobile TV, Disney+

 

Reasons to watch: What a cast! Jo Jin-woong and Yoo Jae-myung lead the way and are joined by Kim Mu-yeol, Yeom Jung-ah, Lee Kwang-soo, Kim Sung-cheol, Greg Hsu (inconspicuously missing from the press con lol), and more. In the crime thriller, a public bounty is set on the head of a heinous criminal recently released from prison, and law enforcement has to protect him. While it’s a tad predictable that Yoo Jae-myung is playing Heinous Criminal and Jo Jin-woong is Harried Cop, who can complain? The rest of the characters come together around the pair, and it’s sure to be an intense ride.

This drama also marks a (hopefully) good sign for LG U+ Mobile TV productions, which have struggled thus far to get much viewership outside of Korea, so the partnership with Disney+ here makes much sense.

TL;DR: Ensemble cast. Intense thriller. Buckle up.

 

https://www.dramabeans.com/2024/07/premiere-watch-no-way-out-the-roulette/

 

Pictures from the press conference

 

 

 

 

Spoiler

https://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/425541

https://www.segye.com/newsView/20240724508308

https://www.ajunews.com/view/20240724223056004

 

https://www.kgnews.co.kr/news/article.html?no=802779

 

https://www.ggilbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=1041140

 

 

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Yoo Jae-myung's wife Choi Hee-jin struggles to escape her sex offender husband  in drama No Way Out

 

 

 

Actress Choi Hee-jin will appear in 'No Way Out: The Roulette'.

 

'No Way Out: The Roulette' is a work that depicts the fierce battle of people with no exit surrounding a 'public murder contract' with a bounty of 20 billion won that takes place when a notorious criminal is released from prison. Jo Jin-woong, Yoo Jae-myung, Kim Moo-yeol, Yeom Jeong-ah, Lee Kwang-soo, and Kim Sung-chul appear. Choi Hee-jin plays Seo Yeon-joo, the wife of the notorious criminal Kim Kook-ho (played by Yoo Jae-myung). As a character struggling to escape from Kim Kook-ho, who was released from prison after 13 years, Choi Hee-jin will add tension to the drama with her realistic acting.

 

Choi Hee-jin is an actress who has shown impressive acting and diverse charms in many works such as the movies 'Citizen Deok-hee', 'Next So-hee', 'Broker', 'Jung-in', and the dramas 'Wedding Battle', 'One-day Scandal', 'Mental Coach Jegal-gil', and 'It's Okay to Not Be Okay'. In particular, in her previous work, the drama 'Chaebol X Detective', she showed off her creepy double face as a psychiatrist and murderer Seo Yoo-kyung, so expectations are high for the new look she will show in 'No Way Out: The Roulette'.

Meanwhile, 'No Way Out: The Roulette' will be unveiled on Disney+ and U+ Mobile TV today (31st) and will be released twice every Wednesday.

 

https://news.nate.com/view/20240731n32131?mid=e1100

 

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No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 1 Review: Thrilling Beginning of the Game of Life

 

 

Shabnam Jahan

July 31, 2024

 

Disney+ has finally unveiled its much-anticipated thriller series, No Way Out The Roulette episode 1. This series promised an intense cat-and-mouse chase between the police and criminals who treat human life as a mere game and believe money can buy anything. From the outset, the show features a star-studded cast that exudes intensity, making it clear that this is a series designed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.

The premise is gripping, and the opening episodes do not disappoint. They skillfully set the stage for a thrilling narrative that will keep you hooked from the beginning. The blend of suspense, high-stakes action, and complex characters creates a compelling start, ensuring that No Way Out: The Roulette is a must-watch for fans of the genre. The series kicks off with a solid beginning, promising a captivating journey ahead.

 

The episode opens with Yoon Chang-jae, played by Lee Kwang-soo, hiding in a meat storage room to escape from his friend, Lee Ji-hong, portrayed by Hyun Bong-sik. Despite Chang-jae’s efforts, Ji-hong finds him. A suspenseful roulette wheel spins and lands on Chang-jae’s name with a wager of 1 billion won. The outcome is horrifying as Ji-hong is revealed to be willing to cut off Chang-jae’s ear for the money. The intense fight sequence underscores the extreme lengths Ji-hong is prepared to go for financial gain, ultimately leading to Chang-jae’s ear being severed.

We then meet Baek Joong-sik, played by Cho Jin-woong, a police officer grappling with financial difficulties and the stress of keeping his family happy. Struggling with unpaid bills and loan rejections, Joong-sik receives a call about a case at the hospital. There, he discovers Chang-jae in a hospital bed with his ear missing. The doctor reveals that the injury appears to be deliberate, leading Joong-sik to review the CCTV footage. The footage shows Ji-hong bringing Chang-jae to the hospital and holding the severed ear.

 

 

more https://www.leisurebyte.com/no-way-out-the-roulette-episode-1-review/

 

 

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No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 2 Review: The Manhunt Brings Out New Motive and Thrills

 

 

In the first episode of the Disney+ thriller, the series laid a gripping foundation with its high-stakes portrayal of a deadly roulette game. No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 2 continues this thrilling narrative, shifting focus to reveal the identity of the next target. We delve into this individual’s background, uncovering layers that make their situation increasingly complex and intriguing. The show skilfully exposes the diverse motivations of those who are in a position to kill, adding depth to their characters and weaving a tapestry of intrigue.

 

The episode 2 starts with a flashback to 13 years ago, introducing Yoo Jae-myung’s character, Kim Guk-ho. We learned in the last episode that he is the masked man’s next target. Guk-ho is not just an ordinary man but a convicted murderer who went to jail after killing a girl. He is a serial rapist who targets women from various professions. Originally sentenced to 15 years in prison, his sentence was reduced by two years, and he is about to be released.

At the police station, there is chaos as they need to protect Guk-ho from both the public and the masked man. The public already hates Guk-ho, and the masked man has promised 20 billion for his murder, making people eager to become bounty hunters.

 

 

On the day Guk-ho is released, Cho Jin-woong and his team go to the prison to escort him safely home. The public is furious, and Guk-ho doesn’t understand the seriousness of the situation. When they reach the car, the crowd attacks the police van, showing they are ready to go all out against him. In the car, Guk-ho learns that he is a target because someone has promised money for his death. Being a psychopath, he laughs and doesn’t take it seriously.

Later, a female police officer in charge of Yoon Chang-jae’s case meets a woman who tells her that Chang-jae was a stalker and was responsible for a girl’s death. This clarifies that the masked man’s targets are not innocent people but criminals who have been set free, painting the masked man as a vigilante but we are not sure about that till now.

 

more https://www.leisurebyte.com/no-way-out-the-roulette-episode-2-review/

 

 

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No Way Out – The Roulette: Episode 1 (First Impressions)

by mistyisles

Dark and gritty is the name of the game as a mysterious individual prescribes brutal acts of violence via roulette spins and a police officer fails to resist the allure of cold, hard cash. No Way Out – The Roulette drops us straight into the action, but I have a feeling it’s just a small taste of the violence to come.

Editor’s note: This is an Episode 1 review only. For a place to chat about the entire drama visit the Drama Hangout.
 
EPISODE 1

 

By its title alone, No Way Out – The Roulette promises a bleak and brutal struggle, and this first episode wastes no time showing us just how bleak and brutal it intends to get. While a roulette table spells out a grim offer — 1 billion won in return for cutting off the ear of butcher YOON CHANG-JAE (Lee Kwang-soo) — another butcher attempts to claim the prize. Understandably, Chang-jae isn’t keen to part with his ear, even for the promise of splitting the reward, and so a desperate and bloody fight ensues. By the end of it, the other butcher loses a patch of skin off the side of his own face, and Chang-jae loses the ear after all.

We later learn that the other butcher piggybacked Chang-jae to the ER, but for now their side of the story gets put on the back burner in favor of introducing us to our actual protagonist: police officer BAEK JOONG-SHIK (Jo Jin-woong). Having recently fallen for an investment scam, Joong-shik is so deep in debt he shamelessly begs everyone he can think of — the bank, his colleagues, even his boss — for a loan, to no avail.

 

But Joong-shik’s circumstances take a sharp turn when his path crosses with Chang-jae’s. Upon inspecting Chang-jae’s wound, the doctors immediately suspect foul play. Joong-shik doesn’t think it bears investigating, and he definitely doesn’t want to work with uber-talkative officer PARK EUN-JEONG (Oh Woo-ri). But like it or not, he gets assigned to track down LIM JI-HONG (Hyun Bong-shik), the other butcher who left Chang-jae bleeding on the hospital’s doorstep.

Ji-hong is out when Joong-shik arrives at his home, but since the door is unlocked Joong-shik ventures in to poke around. And what should he find but a suitcase full of cash. Ji-hong returns just then, only to take off running again as soon as Joong-shik introduces himself as a police officer. Joong-shik doggedly pursues until they’re both huffing and puffing on the edge of exhaustion. Ultimately, Ji-hong tumbles down a long stairway to his death, and Joong-shik lies that he didn’t actually see it happen. And that there wasn’t a big bag of money at the scene.

That’s right — Joong-shik went back to Ji-hong’s house and moved the money to his own car. When he presents it to his wife, he claims the guy who ran off with his investments returned them “with interest.” Just like that, his money problems are solved, and the annoying Case of the Missing Ear is wrapped up.

 

Or so he thinks. The very next day, all officers are called into an emergency meeting to see the video of the roulette table pronouncing Chang-jae’s fate. Too late, Joong-shik realizes he’s stolen blood money. Worse (though he doesn’t know it yet), Chang-jae has since left the hospital and discovered the money missing… and has video evidence of Joong-shik driving off with the suitcase. Considering how much that money cost him, he’s not about to just let Joong-shik have it. But for now, he simply tails Joong-shik and bides his time.

Turns out, that roulette video wasn’t a one-off. The man behind the video — whose mask bears the same symbol as the money-stuffed suitcase — has already ordered several bounties. After ranting about being accused of not paying up, he promises to deliver another billion won to whomever shows up at his designated place and time, no strings attached, as proof that he makes good on his word. Most of the other officers scoff that this is just some guy trying to become internet famous through empty promises, but Joong-shik tips the vote in favor of taking the Masked Man at his word.

 

more https://www.dramabeans.com/2024/08/no-way-out-the-roulette-episode-1-first-impressions/

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No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 3 Review: Everyone Is Pursuing Money for Their Own Motives

 

 

Shabnam Jahan

August 7, 2024

 

In the first two episodes of Disney+ Hotstar’s thriller, the series kicks off with a gripping premise: a psychopath is using a roulette wheel to select victims, turning the public into unwitting bounty targets. We are introduced to the police force and their new challenge—rescuing Kim Gukho, a criminal who has become the latest target. No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 3 continues by unveiling new characters and their motivations, revealing why they are driven to commit murder. The show masterfully delves into the complex reasons behind their actions, adding layers of intrigue and depth to the story.

Episode 3 begins by introducing Kim Mu-yeol’s character, Lee Sang-bong, a lawyer struggling financially. He needs funds for a construction project and seeks assistance from his boss. Although his boss agrees to help, Lee Sang-bong later sees on the news a disturbing story about Kim Gukho and an old lady who attempted to kill him. The news clip reveals that the masked man claims the old lady is the mother of a victim killed by Gukho, and that Gukho sent her 1 billion won, revealing his psychopathic nature.

Lee Sang-bong also watches news coverage of Ahn Myeong-ja, a politician using the situation to her advantage. He calls his boss, noting that Ahn Myeong-ja is leveraging Kim Gukho to gain votes. His boss suggests they stay close to her until the election is over and shake her up, promising to restore things for NCT in return. So he decides to be the lawyer for Kim Guk-ho and goes to his location to talk to him.

 

 

Meanwhile, Baek Joong-sik receives a parcel containing a USB drive at his office. When he connects it, he discovers CCTV footage of himself stealing money for Lee Ji-hong. He becomes anxious and receives a call from Yoon Chang-jae, who blackmails him, threatening to expose him for Ji-hong’s murder unless Joong-sik returns the money.

We are also introduced to a young man whose girlfriend is ill and requires expensive treatment. Desperate, he prepares a bomb to target Kim Gukho. He gives the bomb to a delivery boy to take to Gukho’s home. However, upon arrival, the parcel is handed to a police officer who is arguing with Lee Sang-bong about Gukho’s detention. Joong-sik arrives at the scene, tries to stop the altercation, and takes the parcel to his car. The delivery boy attempts to detonate the bomb, but it fails. He then tries to use acid to break the casing. As he struggles, the bomb finally explodes due to a circuit issue, killing the delivery boy and several police officers.

 

While the previous episodes thrived on high-stakes drama and intense interactions, Episode 3 struggles to maintain that same momentum. Sang-bong’s personal and financial crises, though potentially gripping, fail to ignite the same level of intrigue. His storyline, while essential, lacks the immediacy and urgency that characterised the earlier episodes. The connection between his struggles and the broader narrative involving Guk-ho and political manoeuvring feels tenuous at best.

Additionally, the episode’s subplots, including Baek Joong-sik’s blackmail predicament and a failed bombing attempt, although dramatic, somewhat overshadow the thrill of Roulette game development and the Masked Men’s real motive. These plotlines, while engaging, divert attention from his character’s potential depth.

 

more https://www.leisurebyte.com/no-way-out-the-roulette-episode-3-review/

 

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No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 4 Review: Unnecessary Subplot Detracts from the Thrill

 

Shabnam Jahan

August 7, 2024

 

Disney+ Hotstar’s thriller series has made a striking debut with its high-octane action, but its latest episode, No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 4, has taken a disappointing turn. Instead of maintaining the suspenseful momentum, the episode is bogged down by excessive subplots and character agendas. The focus on the police’s attempts to protect Kim Guk-ho is overshadowed by a convoluted narrative that becomes mired in unnecessary drama. As a result, the episode feels dragged out and loses its initial intrigue, leaving viewers with a sense of dissatisfaction.

 

The episode begins with Mayor Ahn Myeong-ja being summoned by the prosecution. She had formed a partnership with a Hong Kong-based asset management company and created a suspicious investment fund using 280 billion won from Hosan City’s finances. Multiple civic groups in Hosan City reported to the prosecution that this asset management company is a shell company. As she enters the station, she states that she will fully cooperate, indicating public anger and a desire for more information about the case.

During her discussion with the prosecution, she attempts to strike a deal, but it fails. Her personality is revealed to be that of a corrupt politician, using everything for her gain. Despite facing losses due to this case, she is determined to retain her mayoral seat. When news breaks of a bomb blast in Kim Guk-ho’s locality that killed many people, she seizes the opportunity to portray herself as a savior who will remove Guk-ho from Hosan City. She plans and stages a public act, blaming Kim Guk-ho for the bomb blast, claiming that if he weren’t there, the tragedy wouldn’t have happened.

 

 

She promises the public that she will ensure Guk-ho leaves the city. She kneels on the road until Guk-ho talks to her, offering him 5 billion won to move. However, Guk-ho records their conversation, blackmails her for a higher amount, and she leaves when her manager suggests either paying or killing him. She reacts to this, stating it’s impossible since there are always people around his house.

Meanwhile, the police are still tracking the masked man. They finally locate him in a building opposite the police station. Inside the room, they find welcome banners, masks of the masked man, and a roulette wheel. As they start collecting evidence, Cho Jin-woong spins the wheel, and it lands on Guk-ho’s name with an amount of 20 billion and a task to kill. This result repeats two more times, confirming to the police that the wheel is being controlled. To uncover how this is happening, Cho Jin-woong checks the wheel and discovers a ticking timer. Is it a bomb or a controller? We will find out in the next episode.

 

 

No Way Out: The Roulette Episode 4 is disappointing, with too much unnecessary drama and a slow-moving story. Guk-ho’s behaviour is confusing and annoying. He’s a serial killer, yet the police are trying to protect him from the public. His desire to walk around freely feels pointless and drags the story down. The characters’ motives are clear but hard to sympathise with. Both the police and the hunters seem driven by greed, making it difficult to care about any of them. The episode lacks the action and suspense needed to keep viewers interested.

Lee Kwang-soo and Cho Jin-woong’s characters have very little screen time, which is disappointing. Their limited roles take away from the excitement of the chase between the police and the criminals. The masked man, who should add mystery and thrill, is also not interesting so far. The subplot with Mayor Ahn Myeong-ja adds some intrigue with her corrupt actions and manipulative tactics. Her response to the bomb blast and interaction with Guk-ho are interesting, but not enough to save the episode.

more https://www.leisurebyte.com/no-way-out-the-roulette-episode-4-review/