Ma Dong-seok, also known as Don Lee, has become one of South Korea’s most popular and successful actors. With his tough-guy image and impressive acting skills, he has won the hearts of audiences both in Korea and around the world. Let’s take a look at some of his best work in Korean dramas and movies up to 2025.
1. Train to Busan (2016)
This zombie thriller was Ma Dong-seok’s breakout role internationally. He plays Sang-hwa, a tough working-class man who protects other passengers on a train during a zombie outbreak. Ma’s character is brave and selfless, fighting zombies with his bare hands to save others. His performance is both action-packed and emotional, making Sang-hwa a fan favorite. The movie was a huge hit and helped introduce Ma to global audiences.
2. The Outlaws (2017)
In this action-crime film, Ma Dong-seok stars as Ma Seok-do, a no-nonsense detective trying to stop gang wars in Seoul’s Chinatown area. Ma’s character is tough but fair, using both his brains and his fists to take down criminals. The movie shows off Ma’s talent for action scenes and his ability to play a likable hero. It was so popular that it started a whole series of movies about Detective Ma.
3. Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017)
This fantasy drama sees Ma in a smaller but memorable role as the House Guardian God. Even though he’s not the main character, Ma’s presence adds humor and warmth to the story. The movie follows a firefighter’s journey through the afterlife, and Ma’s character helps guide souls. It’s a chance to see Ma in a different kind of role, showing his range as an actor.
4. The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil (2019)
Ma Dong-seok plays Jang Dong-su, a gang boss who teams up with a police detective to catch a serial killer. It’s an interesting twist on Ma’s usual roles, as he’s not exactly a good guy but not entirely bad either. The movie is full of action and suspense, with Ma showing off his fighting skills and charisma. It’s a great example of how Ma can make even a criminal character somewhat likable.
5. Ashfall (2019)
In this disaster movie, Ma plays a bomb disposal expert who’s part of a team trying to stop a volcanic eruption that threatens Korea. It’s a big-budget action film that lets Ma show off his heroic side again. His character brings some lighter moments to the tense story, and of course, there are plenty of scenes where Ma gets to be the tough action hero.
6. The Roundup (2022)
This movie is a sequel to The Outlaws, with Ma Dong-seok returning as Detective Ma Seok-do. This time, he travels to Vietnam to catch a dangerous criminal. The film was a massive hit in Korea, becoming one of the highest-grossing movies there. It shows how popular Ma’s character had become, with audiences loving his mix of toughness and humor.
7. Badland Hunters (2024)
In this Netflix movie, Ma plays Nam-san, a hunter in a post-apocalyptic version of Seoul. The story is set after a big earthquake has destroyed much of the city. Ma’s character has to rescue a teenager from an evil scientist and his cult. It’s a gritty action role that lets Ma show off his fighting skills in a new setting. The movie helped introduce Ma to even more international viewers through Netflix.
8. The Roundup: Punishment (2024)
This is the fourth movie in the Roundup series, with Ma Dong-seok once again playing Detective Ma Seok-do. In this installment, he joins a cyber investigation team to catch the leader of an online gambling group. The movie continues the popular series, mixing action and comedy in a way that highlights Ma’s strengths as an actor.
9. Eternals (2021)
While this isn’t a Korean movie, it’s worth mentioning because it was Ma Dong-seok’s big Hollywood debut. He plays Gilgamesh, one of the superhero Eternals, in this Marvel movie. Even though he’s part of a large ensemble cast, Ma’s character stands out with his strength and kind personality. It showed that Ma could hold his own alongside big international stars.
10. Holy Night: Demon Hunters (2025)
This action-thriller marks a new direction for Ma Dong-seok. He not only stars in the movie but also helped write the script and produce it. The story is about a team of supernatural demon hunters in Seoul, fighting against evil forces. It’s an exciting mix of action and fantasy that lets Ma show off his skills in a new genre.