Tazza (Korean: 타짜) is a 2008 South Korean television series starring Jang Hyuk, Han Ye-seul, Kim Min-jun, Kang Sung-yeon, Son Hyun-joo and Kim Kap-soo. It aired on SBS from September 16 to November 25, 2008 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 21 episodes.
The series is based on a manhwa of the same name by Huh Young-man and Kim Se-yeong, which was also made into the 2006 live-action film Tazza: The High Rollers.
Contents
Plot
Goni (Jang Hyuk) hopes for a better life for his hard-working single mother (Park Soon-chun). He first turns to gambling to earn money to buy her a sewing machine, and encourages her to marry local photographer Dae-ho (Lee Ki-young). Goni is unaware that his stepfather was once a notorious swindler in Jirisan, and that his best friend Young-min (Kim Min-jun) is plotting against Dae-ho. Dae-ho is killed as a result of Young-min's actions, and Goni is framed for the crime. In prison, he learns the techniques of the card game hwatu, and after his release he sets out to gamble his way to the top and take revenge on Young-min and Young-min's uncle, Agwi (Kim Kap-soo), who orchestrated the plot.
Cast
Main characters
Jang Hyuk as Kim Goni
Yeo Jin-goo as young Goni
Han Ye-seul as Lee Nan-sook / Mi-na
Lee Han-na as young Nan-sook
Kim Min-jun as Young-min
Kang Sung-yeon as Madam Jeong
Son Hyun-joo as Go Kwang-ryeol
Kim Kap-soo as Agwi
Supporting characters
Im Hyun-sik as Pyeong Kyeong-jang
Lee Ki-young as Kang Dae-ho, Goni's stepfather
Park Soon-chun as Soon-im, Goni's mother
Im Ji-kyu as Sung-chan
Jang Won-young as Kye Dong-choon
Oh Jung-se as Kwang-tae, Nan-sook's brother
Kim Ji-young as Young-min's aunt
Lee So-jung as Pyeong Yoo-ra
Ahn Nae-sang as Myung-soo, Goni's father
Kwon Tae-won as Bool-gom ("Brown Bear")
Song Jong-ho as Ahn Se-hoon
Park Yong-soo as General Choi
Shin Seung-hwan as Goni's friend
Seo Dong-soo as Yong-pal
Jo Sang-gu as Jjakgwi
Baek Chan-ki as Chief priest Gam
Bang Kil-seung as Doksa ("Viper")
Kim Sung-hoon as Dong-choon's acting boss
Kim Yang-woo as swindler
Jeon Chang-gul as prison official
Reception
The final episode recorded a rating of 18.4% according to TNS Media Korea, and the series averaged 14% across its 21 episodes according to AGB Nielsen, well ahead of its competitor on KBS2.
The series drew controversy for its sexual content and violence, and its viewing rating was raised to 19 and over during its run. Some in the broadcasting industry questioned whether its gambling subject matter was suitable for terrestrial television; Jang Hyuk responded that the series conveyed the message that gambling ruins lives.
Awards
2008 SBS Drama Awards
Excellence Award, Actor in a Special Planning Drama: Jang Hyuk
Excellence Award, Actress in a Special Planning Drama: Han Ye-seul
Excellence Award, Supporting Actor in a Special Planning Drama: Son Hyun-joo
Best Young Actor: Yeo Jin-goo
Top 10 Stars: Han Ye-seul, Jang Hyuk
International broadcast
It aired in Vietnam from August 5, 2009 on HTV3, under the title Canh bạc nghiệt ngã.