As the Hallyu wave continues to conquer the global stage, Ma Dong-seok has cemented his place in the hearts of international audiences. Let’s look back at five of Ma Dong-seok’s most iconic and unmissable films.
1. Train to Busan (2016)
If there’s one film that skyrocketed Ma Dong-seok to global fame, it’s Train to Busan—the zombie thriller that stunned audiences at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. Playing Sang-hwa, a muscular yet warmhearted husband, Ma created a public-hero archetype that was both powerful and deeply human.
His combination of raw physicality and emotional depth made him a standout character—so much so that Screen Rant dubbed him “the breakout character of Train to Busan”.
With a global box office haul of over $98 million, the film not only expanded Korean cinema’s global footprint but also opened doors to Hollywood for Ma Dong-seok.
2. The Outlaws (2017)
Ma Dong-seok’s career-defining turn came with The Outlaws, in which he played detective Ma Seok-do—a no-nonsense, punch-first icon of justice who quickly became a fan favorite.
The film grossed over $52 million domestically and ranked among the top 5 highest-grossing Korean films of 2017. Variety praised it as “a perfect balance of cold-blooded violence and crowd-pleasing entertainment”.
The success of The Outlaws confirmed Ma Dong-seok’s star power and laid the foundation for the The Roundup franchise—now seen as his personal action film universe.
3. Unstoppable (2018)
In Unstoppable, Ma took on a different role: a seemingly ordinary husband forced to fight back after his wife is abducted by traffickers. While the plot might echo familiar revenge thrillers, Ma’s gripping performance and intense fight scenes made this a convincing “Korean version of Taken”.
Without police backup or superpowers, his character still delivers satisfaction through sheer force and relentless determination. Asian Movie Pulse described the film as “a brisk, effective and uncompromising action showcase”.
4. The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil (2019)
Ma Dong-seok captivated international audiences in The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil, a crime-action film that was screened in the Midnight Screening section at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.
He played crime boss Jang Dong-soo, who unexpectedly teams up with the police to hunt down a serial killer. The character—both dangerous and morally complex—highlighted Ma’s range as an actor.
The film drew attention from Sylvester Stallone, who acquired remake rights—with Ma reprising his role in the U.S. version. IndieWire called it “a milestone, marking Ma Dong-seok as a rising Asian action figure on the global stage”.
5. The Roundup: Punishment (2024)
In the fourth installment of the wildly successful The Outlaws series, Ma returns as Ma Seok-do—now taking on high-tech cybercriminals in The Roundup: Punishment. This chapter not only builds on the franchise’s box office momentum but also ups the ante in terms of scale, technical quality and character development.
Unlike previous entries that focused on traditional gang busting, this 2024 sequel tackles cybercrime and crypto fraud, making the film faster-paced and more relevant. As a producer, Ma Dong-seok once again shows strategic foresight by merging blockbuster action with timely messages about justice in the digital age.
The film broke box office records in Korea just days after release and was warmly received by audiences. Yonhap News wrote, “Ma Dong-seok has turned The Roundup into Korea’s national action franchise, and Punishment is its most complete installment yet.”
Ma Dong-seok: More Than Just an Action Star
Unlike the typical Korean “heartthrob” or “bad boy” archetype, Ma Dong-seok has carved out a unique brand—masculine, powerful, relatable, yet charismatic. He’s not just a muscle-bound actor, but a strategic producer who knows how to build characters, personal branding, and career direction.
His return in Holy Night: Demon Hunters—a supernatural fantasy action film with religious undertones—further proves his commitment to innovation in captivating global audiences.
From domestic hits to a powerful Hollywood debut, Ma Dong-seok has solidified his place as a modern icon of Korean cinema—delivering not just hard-hitting punches, but unforgettable impact on-screen.