[Dispatch=Yuha Nal Reporter] "I made this with the resolve to die, going all in." (Byun Yo-han)

The film 'Tazza' draws its final card. It is the finale of a 20-year epic. Against the backdrop of a global gambling arena, an intense battle of wits unfolds. It digs not into cards, but into the nature and desires of humans who hold them.

The story draws motif from 'Lucifer,' the angel fallen into hell within a spade card, and 'Beelzebub,' the ruler of hell. Byun Yo-han and Noh Jae-won turn from close friends into ruthless rivals.

'Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub' (directed by Choi Guk-hee) held a production briefing on the 18th at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul in the morning. Byun Yo-han, Noh Jae-won, Kim Min-ho, Lim Se-mi, Moon Ji-hun, and director Choi Guk-hee attended.

'Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub' is the final work in the 'Tazza' series. It depicts a revenge story between Jang Taeyoung, who thought he had everything through an online casino business, and his best friend Park Taeyoung, who took everything from him.

'Tazza' presented its first series work in 2006. It marks the finale 20 years later. Director Choi Guk-hee said, "It is glorious, and I also feel the responsibility. I made it with affection as a fan."

All poker games appearing in the film are actual matches that can really happen. Instead of the original webtoon's 'Five Card Draw,' Texas Hold'em, which is familiar worldwide, was chosen.

Hold'em is the game that can best show the psychological warfare between characters. From the flop and turn to the river. Each time a community card is laid down, the situation of the game fluctuates. The process of reading the opponent's hand, bluffing, and then reversing strategy creates tension.

Byun Yo-han plays Jang Taeyoung. He is a gambler who bets boldly with natural talent. He has been on a winning streak, even succeeding in the online casino business. However, he falls in an instant due to his best friend's betrayal.

There was also the burden of being the last protagonist of the series. He said, "I had no desire to avoid it," and explained, "What I was most concerned about was making it well and communicating properly with audiences."

After being cast, Byun Yo-han went looking for actual gamblers' gameplay. He emphasized, "I trained to the point where I could engage in psychological warfare even when playing games with poker players. I also practiced hand techniques hard."

The effort shone on set. Noh Jae-won said, "On set, (seeing Byun Yo-han) at some point I felt jealous and wanted to be like him. He was an important key leading the set. He was Jang Taeyoung himself," he praised highly.

Noh Jae-won plays Park Taeyoung. Unlike Jang Taeyoung, he is a character who has proven himself through effort. However, he feels inferiority to his friend's talent that he cannot surpass, and brings him down.

He said, "This is my first time doing a commercial film as a lead. It is meaningful, special, and like a dream," and "Thanks to the director and fellow actors, I was able to let go of the burden."

He was captivated by the final match of the original 'Tazza' work. He said, "After reading the original work, I could not escape it for one or two months. For a while, it took time to get out of that image."

For the character, he took Hold'em lessons and taught the rules directly to friends around him. Noh Jae-won recalled his preparation process, saying, "Whether I woke up or before going to bed, I always held chips."

The 'Tazza' series has traditionally targeted the Chuseok theater season. The final installment also aims for holiday box office. Director Choi explained, "There is a perception of 'Tazza during Chuseok.' To follow that tradition, we prepared by calculating backwards from that timing."

The key to watching is the raw display of human emotions revealed on the gambling table. Moon Ji-hun hinted, "There are emotions that people must restrain, aren't there? In the film, those emotions burst out without filtering. It's full of dopamine."

Byun Yo-han also showed confidence. "With the resolve to die, I did not spare my body or time in making this," he said firmly, adding, "I will bet this film on (audiences). You can have high expectations."

Kim Min-ho said, "I hope that during the holidays, when you meet with families, you watch 'Tazza' and get vicarious satisfaction. Like flipping a card, I hope you also feel the fun of flipping the situation," he laughed.

'Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub' opens on the 23rd of next month.

<Photo=Song Hyo-jin Reporter>