[Review] Byun Yo-han and Noh Jae-won, the Royal Straight Flush of 'Tazza 4'

*This content was translated by AI.

When Byun Yo-han sets up a game, Noh Jae-won turns it upside down. The ace card that 'Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub' pulls out for the final showdown is the acting prowess of these two actors.

Jang Tae-young (Byun Yo-han), who captivates hearts with innate charisma, and Park Tae-young (Noh Jae-won), who has proven himself through natural talent and relentless effort. The two have walked their own paths in vastly different ways despite being together since their school days.

The pair plunge into the online casino business and rise to the pinnacle of success together. However, as the business grows, public attention focuses solely on Jang Tae-young, while jealousy and inferiority hidden behind the name "friend" gradually swell within Park Tae-young's heart. Ultimately, jealousy turns into betrayal, shattering their relationship beyond repair.

After losing everything and falling into ruin, Jang Tae-young barely survives and learns poker from the legendary Tazza, Kwak Dong-wook (Jo Woo-jin). Rising again from the brink of collapse, Jang Tae-young prepares for a final showdown to bring down Park Tae-young, who destroyed him. The two eventually face each other once more on the global gambling stage.

Emotions that began as jealousy toward a friend spread into revenge through betrayal. As the two people who were once closest point guns at one another, the film meticulously traces the gradual disintegration of their relationship.

Since emotional rifts and changes drive the narrative, the actors' roles are crucial here. The intense acting chemistry created by Byun Yo-han and Noh Jae-won ultimately determines the film's success or failure.

Jang Tae-young, a gambler who possessed innate charisma but fell due to a friend's betrayal and returned to the table fueled only by revenge, aligns perfectly with Byun Yo-han's signature clear-cut energy. He portrays the character's ups and downs persuasively—crushing when he falls and pushing forward relentlessly when he rises again.

Noh Jae-won, making his first leading role in a film, commands the screen remarkably well. He delivers a powerful impression of Park Tae-young, whose emotions are tangled with inferiority, jealousy, and envy, through delicate emotional acting and precise control of intensity. Rather than over-expressing emotions, he gradually widens the cracks, making the character's anxiety and obsession even more vivid.

Another actor makes their screen debut: Swings, whose real name is Moon Ji-hoon, takes on an acting challenge to present a new face. Shedding his familiar rapper image, he immerses himself in the role and leaves a lasting impression despite a brief appearance. Though the dialogue is in English, his unexpectedly natural acting tone adds another layer of enjoyment to the film. The presence of Jo Woo-jin and Yoon Kyung-ho, known for their reliability, is also significant. Regardless of screen time, both actors provide a solid foundation for the film's core with their familiar sense of stability.

'Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub' serves as the finale to the 20th-year-long 'Tazza' series. It differs in tone from previous installments. Rather than focusing on flashy poker skills and the thrill of victory, it delves deeper into the relationship between the two characters and the twisted desires that emerge within it.

Even without knowledge of intricate poker techniques, following the story is no problem. Of course, understanding poker rules and card flow would allow viewers to more vividly grasp the psychological battles and emotional shifts occurring at every moment of the showdown.

All previous 'Tazza' films premiered during the Chuseok holiday season. The fourth installment follows suit. However, it is not a movie suitable for the whole family to enjoy together. As befits its "No One Under 19" rating, there are numerous scenes with high levels of content that may feel unnecessary to some and violent scenes that could cause discomfort.

Regarding this, director Choi Guk-hee explained, "I wanted to create an entertainment film for adult audiences rather than a movie for the whole family."

Meanwhile, 'Tazza 4' is set to release on the 23rd. Running time: 129 minutes. No one under 19 allowed.

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*This content was translated by AI.