Is the Independent Universe of 'Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub' a Blessing or a Curse?

The "Tazza" film series, which has spanned 20 years, is coming to an end with its fourth installment, "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub".

"Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub" is a crime film about Jang Taeyoung (Byun Yohan), who thought he had the world in his hands through his online casino business, and his close friend of the same name, Park Taeyoung (Roh Jae-won), who stripped him of everything, as they reunite in a global gambling ring for a showdown of revenge.

For two decades, the "Tazza" franchise has anchored the Chuseok holiday box office in South Korea. Following the massive success of the first film "Tazza" during Chuseok in 2006, "Tazza: The Hidden Card" in 2014 and "Tazza: One-Eyed Jack" in 2019 also greeted audiences during the same holiday period. This is why the formula "Tazza equals Chuseok" was established.

"Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub" will continue that tradition by opening on September 23, the day before the Chuseok holiday begins. It marks the final installment of the series, which is adapted from Huh Young-man's original webtoon. Unlike previous films that shared at least part of their universe, this new work can be viewed entirely as a standalone film.

There are both pros and cons. The advantage is that new viewers who have not seen the previous entries can easily jump into the story, lowering the barrier to entry for audiences in their 20s and 30s. For fans who have loved the original webtoon and the film series from the beginning, however, it leaves a sense of disappointment that they will not be able to see the major characters they previously enjoyed.

While the previous three films depicted showdowns among people consumed by gambling, this installment expands into a revenge drama between rivals centered around friendship. Jang Taeyoung and Park Taeyoung were the closest of friends, even sharing the exact same name. Their friendship turns into revenge after one strips the other of everything. The starting point of the story is the envy and resentment toward a friend that everyone has likely experienced at least once.

The scale of the competition is also the largest in the series. Moving across South Korea, Japan, and Vietnam, gamblers from all over the world gather in one place. A key point to watch is how the showdown between the two friends will unfold amidst unfamiliar opponents.

Original creator Huh Young-man picked "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub" as his favorite story among all his series. Director Choi Kook-hee stated, "I made this knowing it is the final 'Tazza' series, and I really wanted to make it well. Great actors and staff gathered, and the production process was wonderful. You can definitely look forward to it."

Byun Yohan, who played the protagonist Jang Taeyoung, remarked, "The 'Tazza' series is ultimately a work about human beings, and whether it is hwatu or poker, those are just tools," mentioning the birth of a film that adult audiences can empathize with and enjoy.

"Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub" opens on September 23. 

(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)