6 recommended movies starring Ma Dong-seok! The ever-evolving global star from Korea!

One film a year, Ma Dong-seok. Speaking of Ma Dong-seok, he's been receiving rave reviews, primarily in action movies, thanks to his oversized physique, incredible speed, and striking face. He's made his mark not only in his native Korea, but also in Hollywood, and has garnered many fans here in Japan. Recently, it was revealed that The Game starring him, "GANG OF DRAGON," is currently in development, and his latest film, "Exorcism Co., Ltd.", was released in Japan. There's no doubt he'll continue to make great strides in 2026. So, this time, I'd like to personally recommend some of Ma Dong-seok's best works and write about the appeal of this actor.

Index

• 1. "Bad Guys" (2012) Weak Ma Dong-seok
• 2. "Train to Busan" (2016) - The cool Ma Dong-seok
• 3. The Outlaws (2017) Righteous Ma Dong-seok
• 4. "The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil" (2019) Bad Ma Dong-seok
• 5. "Eternals" (21) Ma Dong-seok in Hollywood
• 6. "Exorcism Co., Ltd." (25) The Evolution of Ma Dong-seok

1. "Bad Guys" (12) 133 minutes Weak Ma Dong-seok

Dong-seok's appeal isn't just his action skills. His versatility as an actor lies in his ability to handle comedy and even his sometimes vulnerable roles. One film where you can enjoy Dong-seok's vulnerability is "Bad Guys" (which, incidentally, was the first film I became aware of). Set in 1980s Korea, this ruthless film depicts the lives of men who rise to power through drug smuggling. It stars Choi Min-sik and Ha Jung-woo, with Ma Dong-seok playing a supporting role. It's an outlaw film, and it stars Ma Dong-seok. You'd expect a powerful character, but in this film, Ma Dong-seok is Jack Reacher yet completely weak, making him surprisingly useless. His sloppy and weak nature is bound to make you laugh. His ability to play nonviolent roles like this is one of Dong-seok's charms. Even after Dong-seok established himself as a powerful character, he still frequently plays weak or non-violent characters. From the whining god in "Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds" (2018) to the intellectual professor in the panic action film "Mount Paektu" (2019), he is perfectly suited to each role, demonstrating his fundamental ability as an actor.

2. "Train to Busan" (2016) 118 minutes Cool Ma Dong-seok