The Roundup: No Way Out

The Roundup: No Way Out

Year: 2023

Runtime: 105 mins

Language: Korean

Director: Lee Sang-yong

Echo Score: 74
ComedyCrimeActionDramaThriller

Detective Ma Seok‑do transfers from the Geumcheon Police Station to the Metropolitan Investigation Team to take down a wave of Japanese gangsters operating in Korea, launching a relentless pursuit to eliminate the criminals responsible for brutal offenses.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – The Roundup: No Way Out (2023)

Trace every key event in The Roundup: No Way Out (2023) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Ma Seok-do promoted to Metropolitan Investigation Unit and begins a new case

Detective Ma Seok-do and his team are promoted to the Metropolitan Investigation Unit, kicking off a high-stakes investigation into the death of Go Sun-hee. The autopsy reveals Sun-hee had been using a drug called Hiper, setting the central mystery in motion. The team starts piecing together how the drug links to the victim and the broader drug network.

2

Nightclub interrogation reveals Hiroshi's supply line from Incheon

Ma Seok-do visits a nightclub to interrogate the club president. Through interrogation, they learn of a Yakuza member named Hiroshi who is supplying Hiper from Incheon. The discovery links the local drug trade to the international Yakuza network.

Nightclub
3

Hiroshi captured and 20 kilos of Hiper seized

Ma Seok-do's colleagues manage to capture Hiroshi and seize 20 kilos of Hiper at the club. The operation appears successful, but the situation takes a dangerous turn when corruption surfaces. This checkpoint exposes the depth of the drug market and the risk to the team.

Nightclub
4

Corrupt cop Joo Sung-chul steals Hiper and kills Hiroshi

Unknown to Ma Seok-do, a corrupt cop Joo Sung-chul steals the seized Hiper and murders Hiroshi. The ambush is sudden and deadly, forcing the team to scramble and survive the hit. The betrayal reveals that a police officer is deeply entangled with the criminal hierarchy.

5

Ambush aftermath and the White Shark connection

Ma Seok-do's team narrowly survives the ambush and begins to uncover a larger conspiracy. They learn that Joo Sung-chul is protecting a syndicate called the White Shark Clan and has been siphoning Hiper for profit. The investigation widens beyond a single drug shipment.

6

Yakuza enlist Ricky to retrieve Hiper

With knowledge that the White Shark has stolen Hiper, the Yakuza hire a hitman named Ricky to seize back the drug. The stakes rise as rival factions clash over control of the supply. The pursuit shifts into a full-blown underworld drug war.

7

Ma Seok-do pursues Tomo; Ricky kills him

Ma Seok-do locates another supplier named Tomo and attempts an arrest. Ricky, the hitman, intervenes and kills Tomo, escaping before the authorities can intervene. The killing triggers a rapid escalation between Ricky and Joo Sung-chul as both sides maneuver for advantage.

8

Drug war erupts between Ricky and Joo Sung-chul

The conflict between Ricky and Joo Sung-chul intensifies, turning into a full-blown drug war. Ma Seok-do continues to track clues while the underworld battles for control of Hiper. The tension builds toward a dramatic confrontation.

9

Ma Seok-do follows a yacht clue and secures a deal

Following a key clue, Ma Seok-do goes to a boat yacht where they locate Hiper. He negotiates a deal with Joo Sung-chul, aided by an acquaintance named Chorong. The plan seems to offer a path to resolution.

Boat yacht
10

Joo Sung-chul backstabs and sides with Ricky

Joo Sung-chul shifts strategy and makes a deal with Ricky again. He abandons the prior plan and aligns with the hitman to protect his own interests. The betrayal sets the stage for Ma Seok-do's capture.

11

Ma Seok-do is captured and Hiper is stolen again

Ma Seok-do is captured and taken away by Ricky, while Joo Sung-chul steals the Hiper. The criminal alliance tightens as Ma Seok-do fights to survive and reclaim the drug. The balance of power shifts decisively toward the underworld.

12

Ma Seok-do defeats Ricky and escapes

Ricky conducts an interrogation of Ma Seok-do, but the detective fights back and defeats him. The confrontation demonstrates Ma Seok-do's resilience and tactical prowess. A tracker hidden in a bag helps them pinpoint Joo Sung-chul's location.

13

Ma Seok-do tracks Joo Sung-chul and leads to arrest

Using the tracker, Ma Seok-do locates Joo Sung-chul at his office. The police launch a crackdown and arrest Joo Sung-chul along with the White Shark Clan. The resolution brings an end to the immediate criminals' operation and clears the way for formal consequences.

Office
14

Celebration and aftermath; setup for sequel

With the case closed, Ma Seok-do and his team celebrate their victory. In the aftermath, the mid-credits scene hints at future investigations and connects to new cases. The events set the stage for the sequel's storyline by bringing in Jang Yi-soo.

15

Mid-credits scene foreshadows sequel

In the mid-credits scene, Ma Seok-do enlists Jang Yi-soo's help for investigating another case. This setup points to ongoing investigations that will lead into the sequel.

Last Updated: October 01, 2025 at 10:22

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