'Casino' has once again conquered the home theater with MBC's scheduling.

On the night of the 11th, the third episode of the Disney+ original 'Casino' (written and directed by Kang Yoon-sung) aired as a special series on MBC, depicting Cha Mu-sik (played by Choi Min-sik) entering the Philippine casino industry with the trust of Bolton Casino Chairman Min Seok-jun (played by Kim Hong-pa).

This episode recorded a nationwide household rating of 4.8% (according to Nielsen Korea), marking its highest rating. In particular, the scene where Cha Mu-sik, having served time for violating the Gambling Act, is elevated to a pro-democracy martyr and appears on stage with a serious expression at the founding ceremony of the Korean Federation of University Student Councils saw the rating momentarily rise to 5.5% (in the metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea), reflecting viewers' anticipation for the subsequent developments.

After losing his entire fortune in casino games, Bolton Casino Chairman Min Seok-jun (played by Kim Hong-pa) suggests a partnership, saying, "I feel like you, the boss, can do it." Mu-sik proves his 'business acumen' by reducing a fine of 8 billion won to 800 million won in negotiations with Head of Team Kang Min-jung (played by Ryu Hyun-kyeong), and he pulls in his rival Lee Sang-gu (played by Hong Gi-joon) from the Philippines by asserting that, "Business is done on trust."

Returning to Korea, Mu-sik learns of his father's passing and visits the funeral. There, he discovers for the first time the existence of his half-brother, causing him to be unable to suppress his anger. He reflects his disappointment with his high school friend Dong-eok (played by Lee Jong-yoon), who squandered the study abroad funds Mu-sik had given him on drugs and gambling, and the advice from Lee Sang-gu to "not trust Dong-eok" converges, leading him to finally end their long relationship at a drinking party.

The day’s broadcast also depicted Mu-sik’s high school years. The boy Mu-sik (played by Lee Kyu-hyung), who had been wandering through a powerless life with a father who went in and out of prison, comes to accept the word 'dream' for the first time through the heartfelt encouragement of his homeroom teacher Seo Jin-seok (played by Jin Seon-kyu). He later enters Chungam University in Daejeon, majoring in political science, ranking first, marking a new beginning. However, he is imprisoned for violating the Gambling Act while trying to save a female classmate at a protest site and is inadvertently elevated to a "pro-democracy martyr." At the end of the broadcast, Mu-sik appears on stage at the National Federation of University Students, once again hinting at a turning point in his life.

Mu-sik gains trust by collecting a bad debt that Chairman Min Seok-jun could not resolve for years, eventually being recognized as a casino operating partner. The journey of Cha Mu-sik, where his painful past intersects with his sense of reality, adds gravity to the forthcoming developments.

The Disney+ original series 'Casino,' presented by MBC as a special series, is a crime action drama depicting the fierce psychological battle between the legendary 'Cha Mu-sik,' who dominated the Philippine casino industry, and Korean desk detective 'Oh Seung-hoon' (played by Son Suk-ku), who persistently tracks him down after his fall.

Although it was first released as a Disney+ original series in 2022 and 2023, it is currently being reintroduced as a special series on MBC. Despite the rescheduling, it has garnered high interest by recording the highest viewership rating in its time slot.

[Photo] Provided by MBC, Disney+.

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