Netflix has unveiled a powerhouse cast for its latest Korean original crime thriller, The Dealer, with Jung So-min, Ryoo Seung-bum, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Ryu Kyung-soo officially confirmed to lead the high-stakes series set in the shadowy realm of casinos and underground gambling.
The announcement highlights Netflix's continued investment in gripping K-content that blends intense drama with sharp social commentary. Directed by acclaimed cinematographer Choi Young-hwan in his feature directorial debut, the project is produced by Hwang Dong-hyuk—creator of the record-breaking Squid Game—through his Firstman Studio, promising visually stunning sequences and a taut narrative full of deception and high-risk bets.
Jung So-min stars as Jung Geon-hwa, a masterful casino dealer who excels at reading tables and guests alike while deliberately steering clear of the drinking, gambling, and temptations that define the environment. Her carefully constructed life crumbles when a devastating housing scam wipes out her savings for a dream home and derails her upcoming wedding, awakening long-dormant abilities that thrust her into the dangerous underworld she once avoided. The story centers on her desperate quest to recover what was lost and walk down the aisle, testing her wits against formidable opponents in a world where every hand could be her last.
Jung So-min, celebrated for her emotional depth and versatility, has previously enchanted viewers in Alchemy of Souls as a fierce assassin entangled in fate and romance, and in Love Next Door with her portrayal of relatable heartbreak and growth. Her filmography also includes early hits like Playful Kiss, Because This Is My First Life, and The Smile Has Left Your Eyes, where she consistently delivers layered, transformative performances. In The Dealer, she is set to showcase a bolder, more intense side in an action-driven role.
Ryoo Seung-bum portrays Hwang Chi-su, a resourceful street gambler who scrapes by panhandling at casinos and later allies with Geon-hwa in her perilous scheme. A staple of Korean cinema thanks to collaborations with his brother Ryoo Seung-wan, Ryoo Seung-bum has delivered unforgettable roles in Die Bad, Arahan, Crying Fist, The Unjust, The Berlin File, Tazza: One Eyed Jack, and The Net. His gritty, eccentric style brings raw authenticity to the ensemble.
Lee Soo-hyuk takes on Jo Jun, a formidable casino player whose exceptional skills and stoic poker face disrupt the status quo, heightening the tension at every table. Known for his magnetic screen presence, Lee Soo-hyuk has starred in Tomorrow, S Line, Scholar Who Walks the Night, High School King of Savvy, and Doom at Your Service, often commanding attention with subtle intensity and brooding charisma.
Ryu Kyung-soo rounds out the leads as Choi Woo-seung, Geon-hwa's loyal fiancé and a committed violent crimes detective whose professional dedication creates personal conflict amid the unfolding chaos. He gained widespread recognition through Itaewon Class, Hellbound, Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938, The Call, Hostage: Missing Celebrity, and The Bequeathed, infusing his characters with quiet strength and moral complexity.
Scripts by Ohnooy and Lee Tae-young promise intricate plotting and unexpected turns, while Choi Young-hwan's cinematography background—spanning Smugglers, Veteran, Tazza: The High Rollers, and The Thieves—ensures the series captures the glamour, suspense, and volatility of the casino world with cinematic flair.
With production underway, The Dealer is shaping up as a standout addition to Netflix's Korean lineup, merging star power, visionary production, and a premise ripe for exploring risk, betrayal, and redemption.
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