Ma Dong Seok, also known as Don Lee, has appeared in numerous Korean movies and dramas that have captivated many fans. Thanks to his roles in various series, he has earned the nickname “King of Korean Action Genres.”
Ma Dong Seok’s popularity skyrocketed after his outstanding performance in the movie Train to Busan. Since then, he has received numerous offers to play leading roles in various recent Korean films.
With his large, muscular physique, Ma Dong Seok is known as one of the best actors in the action film genre, which is full of thrilling fight scenes. He also shows his talent for comedy, which can be seen in several films he has starred in.
Here are some recommendations for Ma Dong Seok movies in a variety of genres that are sure to entertain audiences.
Recommended Popular Korean Movies Starring Ma Dong Seok
1. Badland Hunters (2024)
After the devastating earthquake, Seoul was transformed into a post-apocalyptic desert landscape. The survivors lived in extremely dire conditions. They not only had to face the terrifying forces of nature.
They also face threats from other humans in a world ruled by brutal laws. There is a hunter named Nam-San (Ma Dong-Seok) who tries to protect the weak.
He is with Choi Ji-Wan (Lee Jun-Young). Then, a group of individuals appear who are looking for an 18-year-old girl named Su Na. She is with her grandmother, heading to the city center with the promise of a better life.
However, the plan fell apart when Su Na got separated from her grandmother during the trip and ended up in a hospital, while her grandmother tragically lost her life. Fortunately, Nam-San and Ji-Wan, Su Na’s neighbors, noticed something strange about the situation.
With unwavering determination, the two set out to rescue Su Na. With all their might and courage, they attempted to solve the mystery surrounding the hospital where Su Na was being held captive.
2. The Roundup (2022)
Four years have passed since Detective Ma Suk-Do (Ma Dong-Seok) took down Jang Chen and his gang. Now, Ma Suk-Do and his team are tasked with capturing a suspect who has fled to Vietnam.
His mission was to bring him back to South Korea. In the process, Ma Suk-Do tracked down Kang Hae-Sang (Son Suk-Ku) in Vietnam before finally returning to his homeland.
3. Ashfall (2019)
Government official Jeon Yoo-Kyung made an important discovery. She met Professor Kang Bong-Rae, an expert who has conducted in-depth research on Mount Baekdu. Over the past three years, Professor Kang has issued warnings about the potential eruption of the mountain.
However, all warnings were ignored by the relevant parties. To avoid a potentially greater disaster, the South Korean government finally decided to implement the plan based on Professor Kang’s proposed theories.
In this effort, they recruited Jo In-Chang, a specialist in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), to join the mission. However, a plane crash occurred, and only Jo In-Chang and his EOD team managed to reach North Korea safely.
Now, in a rather precarious situation, the team must face challenges and carry out all operational plans without outside assistance.
4. The Bad Guys: Reign of Chaos (2019)
In a shocking incident, a prisoner transport vehicle crashed and overturned, allowing dangerous prisoners to escape.
Among them is a Korean gang leader named No Sang-sik (Jo Young-jin). He has ties to the yakuza criminal organization. In an effort to recapture the escaped prisoners, the police decide to reform a special crime investigation team.
This time, it consists of a number of former prisoners who were previously criminals. Detective So Oh Goo-tak (Kim Sang-joong) takes the initiative to assemble a new team that includes other members such as Park Woong-cheol (Ma Dong-seok), Kwak No-soon (Kim A-joong), and Ko Yoo-sung (Jang Ki-yong).
5. The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil (2019)
Jang Dong-Soo (Ma Dong-Seok) is the leader of a criminal gang operating in the Cheonan area. He becomes the target of a serial killer named Kang Kyung-Ho (Kim Sung-Kyu).
After the brutal attack, Jang Dong-Soo managed to survive and became the only survivor of the attack. Meanwhile, Detective Jung Tae-Seok (Kim Moo-Yul) has a negative view of members of organized crime groups.
Nevertheless, he ultimately decided to collaborate with Jang Dong-Soo. His objective was to apprehend the dangerous serial killer Kang Kyung-Ho.
6. Start-Up (2019)
This film tells the story of the life journey of a young man named Taek Il. He decides to run away from home in order to find his true self. Taek Il feels pressured by his mother’s expectations that he continue his education at the university level.
However, with unwavering conviction, Taek Il chose not to follow his mother’s wishes and left home. After running away, Taek Il immediately felt the hardships of life without financial support and adequate employment.
With very limited funds, he and his friend, Sang Pil, tried to find jobs to meet their daily needs. However, the jobs they found turned out to be very different. Sang Pil became entangled in the world of loan sharks, while Taek Il managed to get a job at a Chinese restaurant.
7. Champion (2018)
In the 2018 film Champion, Ma Dong Seok successfully demonstrated his acting skills by utilizing his muscular physique and arms. In this film, he plays Mark, a professional arm wrestler.
In the midst of his career as an athlete, Mark also worked as a security guard at a nightclub in the United States. One day, his best friend Jin Ki (Kwon Yool) invited him to compete in a pancake tournament in Korea.
Although Mark was initially hesitant, he finally agreed to accept the invitation. Upon arriving in Korea, Mark tried to find his long-lost mother. However, he had to face the bitter reality that his mother had passed away.
8. Unstoppable (2018)
Dong-Chul (Ma Dong-Seok) and Ji-Soo (Song Ji-Hyo) are a happily married couple. Dong-Chul’s background is as a once-famous gangster. He has tried to leave that dark life behind.
However, one shocking day, when Dong-Chul returned home, he found his residence in disarray. He realized that his wife, Ji-Soo, had disappeared. Shortly thereafter, he received a mysterious phone call.
This person claims to offer a reward if Dong-Chul agrees to hand over his wife. Amidst this tension, Dong-Chul is determined to save his wife and will not stop until he finds Ji-Soo again.
9. The Outlaws (2017)
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Seoul’s slum district, there is a man named Jang Chen. He has a Chinese background and now works as a loan shark. Jang Chen is not alone in running this risky and violent business.
He is accompanied by two henchmen, Wei Sung-Rak and Yang-Tae, who are known for their aggressive nature. Jang Chen’s method of debt collection tends to be brutal and merciless. Meanwhile, Ma Suk-Do is a detective who is dedicated to maintaining peace and stability in the area.
Ma Suk-Do tries to keep the peace between two gangs that are fighting over territory. In the middle of all this, Jang Chen steps in to take control of the situation and expand his power.
10. Train to Busan (2016)
Seok-Woo, an investment manager working in the heart of Seoul. He lives a life full of sadness after his divorce. He lives with his daughter, Soo-An, a young girl who craves attention and affection that she rarely receives from her father.
As her special day, her birthday, approaches, Soo-An expresses her desire to meet her mother. Although his heart is heavy, Seok-Woo feels he has no choice but to grant his daughter’s request and plans a trip to Busan.
The next day, the two boarded the KTX express train at Seoul Station, hoping the trip would be a memorable one. However, the situation quickly took a tragic turn when a girl, who looked like a zombie, suddenly jumped onto the train.
The girl was infected with a deadly virus that spread rapidly. This forced Seok-Woo, Soo-An, and the other passengers to fight for their safety in the face of a terrifying threat.
Well, those are ten recommended Korean movies starring actor Ma Dong Seok. Which ones have you seen?
