'The Roundup 4' Villain Kim Mu-yeol ‘benefits from Martial Arts Lessons’ from His 20s

 

▲ Actor Kim Mu-yeol appears in this still photo of film "The Roundup: Punishment (The Roundup 4)" provided by ABO Entertainment on April 18, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

 

SEOUL, April 18 (Yonhap) -- Actor Kim Mu-yeol, playing the lead villain Baek Chang-ki in the latest project of 'The Roundup' series, engages in a pivotal showdown with protagonist Ma Seok-do.

 

In ‘The Roundup: Punishment (The Roundup 4)’, His role seems quite akin to their predecessors in significance and final battles etched in the memories of movie fans.

 

Starting with 'The Roundup' (2017) featuring Jang Chen (Yoon Kye-sang), 'The Roundup 2' (2022) with Kang Hae-sang (Son Seok-koo), 'The Roundup 3' (2023) starring Ju Sung-chul (Lee Joon-hyuk) and Ricky (Aoki Munetaka), they all stand out for their epic confrontations with Ma Seok-do.

 

As the 'The Roundup' series has evolved by changing its villains, these characters play a decisive role in shaping the identity of each film.

 

In the upcoming 'The Roundup 4,' renowned actor Kim Mu-yeol (42) steps into the role of the villain named Baek Chang-ki.

 

Baek Chang-ki, who deftly wields a dagger, contrasts sharply with Ma Seok-do, whose formidable weapon is his powerful fists.

 

"I learned knife martial arts in my twenties. I can't claim to be skilled with a dagger, but I know how to use it. This background greatly assisted in shaping the character of Baek Chang-ki," said Kim Mu-yeol during a meeting at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the 18th, responding to questions about the secret to his spectacular action scenes in 'The Roundup 4.'

 

▲ Actor Kim Mu-yeol appears in this still photo of film "The Roundup: Punishment (The Roundup 4)" provided by ABO Entertainment on April 18, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Kim Mu-yeol mentioned practicing 'Kali Arnis,' a traditional Filipino martial art that Hollywood actor Matt Damon also showcased in the 'Bourne' series.

 

During the filming of 'The Roundup 4,' Kim Mu-yeol was simultaneously shooting the drama 'Sweet Home.' His role as a special forces operative in the drama involved combat training, which also contributed to his action-packed performance in 'The Roundup 4.'

 

In 'The Roundup 4,' Baek Chang-ki, a foreign special forces mercenary, appears as a killing machine executing murders efficiently.

 

Kim Mu-yeol laughed, saying, "Baek Chang-ki is unlike the previous villains in the 'The Roundup' series, possessing highly specialized killing skills, often referred to as someone who has 'learned the art.'"

 

His minimal dialogue and expressionless face highlight Baek Chang-ki's inhuman aspects, with a single intense gaze overpowering his foes.

 

"In action scenes, sometimes your expression changes involuntarily due to exertion. You might clench your teeth or make a grimace... Director Park largely avoided such expressions. Many scenes had to be reshot due to unintentional expressions," he revealed.

 

▲ Actor Kim Mu-yeol appears in this still photo of film "The Roundup: Punishment (The Roundup 4)" provided by ABO Entertainment on April 18, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Kim Mu-yeol performed most of his action scenes in 'The Roundup 4' without a stunt double. "I have no fear or aversion to action acting," he confidently asserted.

 

This isn't Kim Mu-yeol's first collaboration with Ma Dong-seok. In the omnibus film 'Doomsday Book' (2012), specifically the segment 'Brave New World,' and in ‘The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil' (2019), Kim Mu-yeol played a detective while Ma Dong-seok portrayed a criminal cartel leader.

 

Kim Mu-yeol acknowledged learning a lot from Ma Dong-seok as an actor. "One of the strengths of the 'The Roundup' series is Dong-seok hyung's natural acting. Behind seemingly improvised lines lie meticulously prepared performances that save on sleep," he remarked.

 

During the filming of 'The Roundup 4,' Kim Mu-yeol accidentally struck Ma Dong-seok's arm hard with a punch during their final showdown scene, but Ma Dong-seok, engrossed in his acting, showed no signs of pain.

 

"When I asked Dong-seok hyung, 'Are you okay? I hit you hard,' he casually responded, 'Really? I didn't notice,'" Kim Mu-yeol recalled. "My hand hurt quite a bit..."

 

Kim Mu-yeol has showcased versatile characters in various genres, including 'Honest Candidate' series, 'Space Sweepers' (2020), 'Northern Limit Line' (2015), and 'Eungyo' (2012).

 

While Kim Mu-yeol refrained from making a definitive assessment of his performance in 'The Roundup 4,' he cautiously expressed, "I believe I have integrated well into the world of the 'The Roundup' series."

 

He concluded, "I hope viewers enjoy this film and can cleanse away their hardships and stresses after watching it."

 

▲ Four main cast members of "The Roundup: Punishment" pose for photos during a press conference in Seoul on March 11, 2024. (Yonhap)

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