Overview
Tazza: The High Rollers (Korean title: 타짜, "Tajja") is a South Korean crime drama film released in 2006. The film was directed by Choi Dong-hoon and is an adaptation of the manhwa (comic) Tazza by Huh Young-man and Kim Jung Gi, which centers on the world of underground gambling.
Production Details
- Director: Choi Dong-hoon
- Screenplay: Choi Dong-hoon, Kim Sun-woo, Kim Mosu
- Cinematography: Kim Tae-gyung
- Music: Jo Yeong-wook
- Production Companies: Show East, CJ Entertainment
- Distributor: CJ Entertainment
- Release Date: September 7, 2006 (South Korea)
- Runtime: 138 minutes
- Country: South Korea
- Language: Korean
Cast
- Choi Min-sik as Kong Sang-du (the master gambler)
- Kim Hye-soo as Madam Jeong (a professional gambler)
- Jo Seung-woo as Kang Yoon (the protagonist)
- Baek Yoon-sik as Jung
- Lee Joon-gi as Baek In-cheon (supporting role)
Plot Summary
The narrative follows a novice gambler, Kang Yoon, who becomes entangled in the high‑stakes world of professional gambling after being drawn to a charismatic con artist and a mysterious woman known as Madam Jeong. The film explores themes of deception, loyalty, and the consequences of gambling addiction, culminating in a series of elaborate card‑trick and poker confrontations.
Reception
- Box Office: The film was a commercial success in South Korea, ranking among the highest‑grossing domestic releases of 2006.
- Critical Acclaim: Critics praised the film’s stylized direction, intricate plot structure, and strong performances, particularly those of Choi Min-sik and Kim Hye-soo.
- Awards: Tazza: The High Rollers received several nominations at the Grand Bell Awards and Blue Dragon Film Awards, winning Best Supporting Actor for Baek Yoon-sik at the 2006 Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Legacy
The film spawned a sequel, Tazza: The Hidden Card (2014), and contributed to renewed interest in the original manhwa series. It is frequently cited in discussions of South Korean cinema’s portrayal of gambling culture and has been referenced in academic analyses of genre blending between crime drama and comedy.
Home Media
The High Rollers has been released on DVD, Blu‑ray, and digital streaming platforms in multiple regions, often with subtitles in English and other languages.
References
- Korean Film Council (KOFIC) database entry for Tazza: The High Rollers (2006)
- Film reviews from The Korea Herald and Variety (2006)
- Award records from the Blue Dragon Film Awards (2006)
Note: All information presented is based on publicly available and verifiable sources.
