Wikipedia

No Way Out: The Roulette

No Way Out: The Roulette (Korean: 노 웨이 아웃: 더 룰렛) is a 2024 South Korean mystery thriller television series written by Lee Soo-jin, directed by Choi Kook-hee, and starring Cho Jin-woong, Yoo Jae-myung, Kim Mu-yeol, Yum Jung-ah, Sung Yoo-bin, Greg Hsu, Lee Kwang-soo, and Kim Sung-cheol. The series is about an open murder contract with a bounty of 20 billion won on the life of a rare heinous criminal and the fierce battle between those who want to kill and those who want to survive. It was released on U+ Mobile TV from July 31, to August 21, 2024. It is also available for streaming on Disney+ in selected regions.

No Way Out: The Roulette
Promotional poster
Hangul
노 웨이 아웃: 더 룰렛
Revised RomanizationNo wei aut: deo rullet
McCune–ReischauerNo wei aut: tŏ rullet
Genre
Written byLee Soo-jin
Directed byChoi Kook-hee
Starring
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes8
Production
Production companies
  • Studio X+U
  • Twin Film
Original release
NetworkU+ Mobile TV
ReleaseJuly 31 (2024-07-31) –
August 21, 2024 (2024-08-21)

Synopsis

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No Way Out: The Roulette is about a police officer who is forced to protect a criminal in an ironic situation, a murderer released from prison after 13 years with a bounty on his head, a lawyer who becomes a criminal's legal representative in order to succeed, a mayor who uses criminals to save her political life, a son who lives with the stigma of being the child of a murderer, a killer who comes to Korea for pay, and a mysterious figure who puts a bounty on a criminal.

Cast and characters

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Main

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A police officer who is tasked with protecting a notorious criminal and finds himself in an ironic situation.
A notorious criminal who has been released from prison after 13 years and become a target by the entire nation with a bounty of 20 billion won on his head.
A lawyer and Guk-ho's legal representative.
the Mayor of Hosan who uses Guk-ho as her only hope in the face of the end of her political life.
Guk-ho's son who is a genius violinist but weighed down by the stigma of being the son of a murderer.
A Taiwanese professional assassin who comes to South Korea to kill Guk-ho.
A butcher who wants to kill Guk-ho in exchange of big money.
A young pastor who influences the congregation of a large church.

Supporting

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Production

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Development

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Director Choi Kook-hee, who directed Default (2018) and Life Is Beautiful (2022), and writer Lee Soo-jin, who wrote The Devil's Deal (2021), team up for the series. This is Choi small screen directorial debut. It was developed under the working title Open Murder Contract (Korean: 공개살인청부; RR: Gonggaesar-incheongbu).[3] Studio X+U and Twin Film managed the production. They began to crank-in in October 2023.[4]

Casting

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In May 2023, Lee Sun-kyun was first offered for the lead role but later informed the production team of his intention to voluntarily leave the series because of his drug allegations.[3][5]

In July 2023, Yoo Jae-myung, Kim Mu-yeol, and Lee Kwang-soo were reportedly cast for the series.[6][7][8]

In August 2023, Lee Sun-kyun, Yoo Jae-myung, Kim Mu-yeol, and Lee Kwang-soo were officially confirmed to appear on the series.[4] On the same month, Yum Jung-ah was reportedly offered to appear for the series.[9]

In September 2023, Taiwanese actor Greg Hsu was reportedly cast for the series and this would make his first Korean drama appearance.[10]

In October 2023, Cho Jin-woong was reportedly cast to replace Lee Sun-kyun's role due to Lee undergoing investigations over drug use allegations.[11] A day later, Kim Sung-cheol was reportedly cast for the series.[12]

Cho, Yoo, Kim M., Yum, Sung, Hsu, Lee, and Kim S. completed the main cast lineup of the series.[13]

Filming

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Principal photography took place from November 23, 2023, to March 31, 2024.[14][15][16]

Release

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No Way Out: The Roulette was confirmed to be released on U+ Mobile TV on July 31, 2024.[17] It was also confirmed that the series would simultaneously be released via Disney+.[18]

Reception

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Critical response

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Singapore's national newspaper The Straits Times gave The series a three out of five stars, praising the series for its packed and busy premise and the execution of the intriguing plot, as well as the portrayal of its characters. For Greg Hsu, the article described his K-drama debut as "memorable and stylish" and positively commented on the Taiwanese actor's acting and portrayal of a cold-blooded professional killer.[19]

Accolades

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Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards 2024 Best Lead Actor Cho Jin-woong Nominated [20][21]
Best Supporting Actor Lee Kwang-soo Nominated

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Chang, A-leum (May 22, 2024). 조진웅·유재명·김무열·허광한·이광수 '노웨이아웃'...7월 첫공개 확정 [Cho Jin-woong, Yoo Jae-myung, Kim Mu-yeol, Hsu Kuang-han, Lee Kwang-soo 'No Way Out'...First release confirmed in July] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  2. ^ Kang, Nae-ri (March 21, 2024). [단독] '더 글로리' 허동원, '노 웨이 아웃' 출연...이혼 아픔 딛고 열일 [[Exclusive] 'The Glory' Heo Dong-won to appear in 'No Way Out'...10 days to overcome the pain of divorce] (in Korean). YTN. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  3. ^ a b Park, Jung-sun (May 4, 2023). [단독] 이선균, 드라마 '공개살인청부' 주연 [[Exclusive] Lee Sun-kyun, lead role in drama 'Open Murder Contract'] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  4. ^ a b Lee, Mi-ji (August 10, 2023). 이선균X유재명X김무열X이광수 '노 웨이 아웃' 캐스팅..최국희 연출(공식) [Lee Sun-kyun X Yoo Jae-myung X Kim Mu-yeol X Lee Kwang-soo cast in 'No Way Out'...Directed by Choi Kook-hee (Official)] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  5. ^ Ziwei, Puah (October 23, 2023). "Lee Sun-kyun drops out of K-drama 'No Way Out' amid drug investigation controversy". NME. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  6. ^ Choi, Bo-ran (July 10, 2023). [단독] 유재명, '공개살인청부' 주연 캐스팅...이선균과 호흡 [[Exclusive] Yoo Jae-myung cast as lead in 'Open Murder Contract'...Working with Lee Sun-kyun] (in Korean). YTN. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  7. ^ Lee, Seung-hun (July 13, 2023). [단독]김무열, 드라마 '공개살인청부' 남자 주인공 [[Exclusive] Kim Mu-yeol, male lead in drama 'Open Murder Contract'] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  8. ^ Kim, Bo-ra (July 18, 2023). [단독] 이광수, 최국희 감독 첫 드라마 '공개살인청부' 캐스팅 [[Exclusive] Lee Kwang-soo, cast for director Choi Kook-hee's first drama 'Open Murder Contract'] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  9. ^ Kim, Bo-ra (August 23, 2023). [단독] '밀수' 흥행한 염정아, 최국희 감독 '노웨이아웃'으로 재회 [[Exclusive] Yum Jung-ah, who had a hit with 'Smuggling', reunites with director Choi Kook-hee in 'No Way Out'] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  10. ^ Kim, Min-ji (September 26, 2024). [단독] '상견니' 중화권 스타 허광한, '노 웨이 아웃' 출연...韓 진출 본격화 [[Exclusive] 'Someday or One Day' Chinese star Hsu Kuang-han to appear in 'No Way Out'...Full-fledged entry into Korea] (in Korean). News1. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  11. ^ Hwang, So-young (October 30, 2023). [단독] 조진웅, 이선균 하차 '노 웨이 아웃' 출연 검토중 [[Exclusive] Cho Jin-woong, are considering to appear in 'No Way Out' after Lee Sun-kyun leave] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  12. ^ Lee, Seung-hun (October 31, 2023). [단독]김성철, 이선균 하차한 '노 웨이 아웃' 출연 [[Exclusive] Kim Sung-cheol to appear in 'No Way Out' after Lee Sun-kyun left] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  13. ^ Lee, Mi-ji (May 22, 2024). 조진웅→허광한X김성철 '노 웨이 아웃 : 더 룰렛' 캐스팅..7월 공개확정(공식) [Cho Jin-woong→Hsu Kuang-han and Kim Sung-cheol's 'No Way Out: The Roulette' casting...Confirmed to be released in July (Official)] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  14. ^ Kim, Bo-ra (July 18, 2023). [단독] 이광수, 최국희 감독 '공개살인청부' 캐스팅...이선균·유재명·김무열 호흡(종합) [[Exclusive] Lee Kwang-soo, director Choi Kook-hee's 'Open Murder Contract' casting...Lee Sun-kyun, Yoo Jae-myung, Kim Mu-yeol collaboration (Comprehensive)] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  15. ^ Kim, Sun-woo (November 19, 2023). [단독] 조진웅 '노 웨이 아웃' 23일 첫 촬영...이선균 하차 채운다 [[Exclusive] Cho Jin-woong's 'No Way Out' first filming on the 23rd...Fill up after Lee Sun-kyun leaves] (in Korean). JTBC News. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  16. ^ Kim, Ye-eun (April 2, 2024). [단독] 故이선균 하차→조진웅 투입 '노 웨이 아웃', 우여곡절 끝 크랭크업 [[Exclusive] The late Lee Sun-kyun leaves→Cho Jin-woong joins 'No Way Out', crank up after twists and turns] (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on May 30, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024 – via Naver.
  17. ^ Jang, Da-hee (June 18, 2024). "대국민 살인청부" 조진웅→허광한 '노 웨이 아웃', 7월 31일 공개 확정[공식] ["National murder contract" Cho Jin-woong→Hsu Kuang-han 'No Way Out' confirmed to be released on July 31 [Official]] (in Korean). MBC Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 18, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024 – via Naver.
  18. ^ Choi, Young-joo (July 5, 2024). 조진웅·유재명→허광한 '노 웨이 아웃' 31일 디즈니+ 공개 [Cho Jin-woong, Yoo Jae-myung→Hsu Kuang-han's 'No Way Out' to be released on Disney+ on the 31st] (in Korean). No Cut News. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 16, 2024 – via Naver.
  19. ^ Lee, Jan (August 28, 2024). "Binge-worthy: Action K-drama No Way Out: The Roulette makes a game out of murder". The Straits Times. Singapore. Archived from the original on August 28, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  20. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (August 30, 2024). "Wong Kar-wai's 'Blossoms Shanghai,' Netflix's 'Cigarette Girl' Among Busan Streaming Awards Nominees – Global Bulletin". Variety. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  21. ^ "ACA & Global OTT Awards: Nominations 2024". Asia Contents Awards. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
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