Stakes are set high for Tazza sequel

Front row, from left:Sin Se-kyeong,Choi Seung-hyeonandKim Yoon-seokand the rest of the star-studded cast talk about their upcoming film "Tazza: The High Rollers 2".

With a total of eleven cast members and directorKang Hyeong-cheollighting up the room, the press conference that took place on Tuesday at Lotte Cinema for "Tazza: The High Rollers 2" was quite a spectacle.

The film, directed byKang Hyeong-cheol, who was behind hits like "Sunny - 2010" (2011) and "Speedy Scandal" (2008), is leaving many wondering if it will top its prequel, "The War Of Flower" (2006), which garnered more than six million views.

The sequel is again based on the addictive game of hwatu - a Korean card game - and introduces some new characters. One of these is Big Bang memberChoi Seung-hyeon, who plays Dae-gil, the cousin of the prequel's protagonist Goni (Jo Seung-woo). Dae-gil proves himself worthy as the great card dealer's relative with his flair for the game.

"I was under a lot of pressure. The previous movie was popular amongst adults rather than people my age", said Choi.

"The plot can seem similar in some ways, but as each movie has a different director they are unique", said Kang on taking over fromChoi Dong-hoon.

"I learned hwatu for the first time for the movie. Later on it got so fun I almost thought I could get addicted", saidSin Se-kyeongwho plays Min-a, a love interest of Dae-gil.

If the chemistry between Choi and Sin isn't enough,Yoo Hae-jinandKim Yoon-seok's return eight years after the original should cause a thrill. New characters played byLee Kyeong-yeongandKim In-kwon, among others, are also much anticipated.

Based on the cartoon byHeo Yeong-man, this is the second movie of the"Tazza"series, which is divided into four parts. The star-studded film is set to be released during the Chuseok holiday. Whether it will meet the original movie's standards or not is worth gambling on.

By jang seo-young AND CARLA SUNWOO [[email protected]]