Netflix have put a huge focus on Korean dramas lately, with releases including Sold Out on You, and If Wishes Could Kill. WONDERfools is also set to land next month, with a second season of Bloodhounds dropping shortly. With the company heavily investing in the Asian market, it’s not surprising to hear that they have announced a new crime drama that delves into the casino world. The Dealer has Hwang Dong-hyuk as the producer, with Jung So-min playing the lead role. The series is already being talked about across social media platforms and follows the story of a skilled dealer.
Casinos Lay the Foundation for Good Storytelling
Netflix isn’t taking many risks with its new casino crime drama. Films like 21 have helped to redefine the genre. The Hangover also took a different approach, using Las Vegas as a backdrop to a movie where anything could happen. Casinos have also been explored quite heavily over the years, with classics including Scorsese’s 1995 movie, Casino. In other verticals, the casino theme is quite prominent as well.
The Blackjack’s Apprentice Podcast gives insight into the strategies used by big players. The World Series of Poker is also streamed worldwide, which helps to put poker and casino games in front of whole new audiences. The accessibility of casino games has helped people engage with the idea as well. Online casino games like Vegas Blackjack and Penny Roulette allow people to play classic table games without having to leave the house, while offering new and exciting variants. As time goes on, it’s clear that people are no longer watching casino stories; they are actively engaging in them from home.
Netflix’s move to do a casino series couldn’t have come at a better time, as it’s not a risk for the company. If anything, the casino theme is quite a safe bet.
The Dealer could be a Huge Hit for Netflix
The Dealer centres on Jung Geonhwa, who is a skilled dealer. They find their world turned upside down when they are taken advantage of by a housing scam, which took all of the money they had put to one side for their wedding.
Jung then has to find new ways to scrape by, with a layered performance that sees the actress move away from some of the more traditional performances they have done in the past, into something darker and more intense. As the plot unfolds, it seems that The Dealer isn’t someone who is just a croupier; she’s someone who has a lot more capabilities than the plot is letting on. Supporting actors include Ryoo Seung-bum, who is playing the character of Hwang Chisu, and Lee Soo-hyuk, who is playing Jo Jun. Jun is a calculating casino player who has an unreadable poker face, something that will benefit the dealer and her quest for vengeance.
Interestingly, we are also seeing the directorial debut of Choi Young-hwan, with the film backed by Firstman Studio, the same company that did Squid Game. As the movie has such a broad plot and as there are so many angles to the story, it’s clear to see that there are going to be a lot of twists and turns that keep audiences engaged.