Vietnamese actress Hong Dao, Japanese actor Tsuyoshi Ihara, and Korean-American Stephanie Lee join a diverse cast in the film “Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub” (directed by Choi Guk-hee), aligning with the concept of a global gambling scene.
On Wednesday, distributor CJ ENM introduced the new cast members of “Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub.” The crime thriller follows Jang Tae-young (played by Byun Yo Han), who thought he had it all with his online casino empire, and his namesake best friend Park Tae-young (played by Noh Jae Won), who takes everything from him. The two cross paths again in the global gambling arena for a high-stakes revenge showdown.
“Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub,” the final installment of the “Tazza” series—which has been released during the holiday season for about 20 years and has won the hearts of audiences—takes place in a universe completely separate from the first, second, and third films, so viewers can enjoy it even if they haven’t seen the previous installments. In particular, this final installment is set against the backdrop of a global gambling scene befitting the year 2026, and its international cast adds to the intrigue.
Vietnamese superstar Hong Dao takes on the role of Chairman Tao, a powerful tycoon who views every decision as a gamble. She was incredibly honored and thrilled to receive an offer for a Korean film, Hong shared. Despite being a card game novice, she immersed herself in learning the rules and chip handling. She practiced so intensively that her family became accustomed to the constant sounds of chips and cards, she revealed.
Tsuyoshi Ihara, a leading veteran actor in Japan, plays Chairman Sasaki, the head of a Japanese corporation. A character with a past as a yakuza, he operates quietly behind the scenes, yet the stakes he wagers are higher than anyone else’s. After receiving the offer to appear in the series, Tsuyoshi Ihara watched all three installments and stated that he found it really entertaining, so he decided to join the project. Since he has frequently played virtuous roles recently, he shared an anecdote about how, at the director’s request, he took a photo of himself with his hair combed back and sent it to him.
Multi-talented model and actress Stephanie Lee steps into the shoes of Linda Park, a cunning lobbyist. Linda proposes a high-stakes game to Jang Tae-young in Vietnam and brokers a backdoor deal. Lee’s captivating portrayal ramps up the tension and delivers the iconic thrills fans expect from the “Tazza” series.
“Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub” marks the fourth entry in the “Tazza” franchise. The original “Tazza,” helmed by director Choi Dong-hoon in 2006, starred Jo Seung Woo, Kim Hye Soo, Baek Yoon Sik, and Yoo Hae Jin, drawing an impressive 5.69 million viewers. The series continued with “Tazza: The Hidden Card” (2014) and “Tazza: One Eyed Jack” (2019). “Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub” is slated for release this Chuseok holiday season.
