Top Actor Returns After 13 Years—Netflix’s 19+ Korean Noir Drama “Mercy for None” Rises to No.1 Before Release - Netizens Buzz

Top Actor Returns After 13 Years—Netflix’s 19+ Korean Noir Drama “Mercy for None” Rises to No.1 Before Release

Netflix’s upcoming original K-drama Mercy for None is already dominating interest charts—even before its official release. According to Consumer Insight’s OTT K-Original Content Viewer Report for the third week of May 2025, Mercy For None recorded a 25% awareness rate and 16% viewing intention, making it the most anticipated unreleased title.

A Gritty Noir Revenge Tale

Adapted from a Naver webtoon, Mercy for None tells the story of Ki-joon (So Ji-sub), a former gangster who returns to the organization following the mysterious death of his younger brother Ki-seok (Lee Joon Hyuk)). The series unfolds as a gritty noir revenge drama with intense action sequences that earned it a 19+ rating for violence and graphic content.

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This marks So Ji-sub’s return to action for the first time in 13 years since his 2012 film A Company Man. The preview clip released in February surpassed 1.38 million views, while the official teaser released on May 9 has already drawn over 860,000 views.

Inside the World of Mercy for None

The story is centered around two criminal syndicates Joowoon and Bongsan with the main plot initially focused on the Juwon organization.

Lee Joowoon (Huh Joon-ho): The patriarch of the Joowoon syndicate, a father-like figure to Ki-joon and Ki-seok. Deeply grieving Ki-seok’s death, he faces a turning point that could reshape the organization. Huh Joon-ho, known for his roles in Kingdom, Bloodhounds, and Escape from Mogadishu, brings layered charisma to the role.

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  • Lee Geum-son (Choo Young-woo): Joowoon’s biological son, a prosecutor who distances himself from the gang. Geum-son is an ambitious figure driven by justice. Choo Young-woo, a rising star with accolades including the Baeksang Arts Award for Best New Actor, portrays the cold, calculated role with intensity.
  • Choi Sung-chul (Jo Han-chul): Joowoon’s right-hand man and the real operator behind the syndicate. He must stabilize the shaken organization after Ki-joon’s return. Jo Han-chul continues his streak of dynamic performances following My Name Is Loh Kiwan, Uprising, and Gyeongseong Creature.
  • Nam Ki-seok (Lee Joon Hyuk): Once a reformer who transformed the gang into a corporate entity, Ki-seok’s death ignites the central revenge arc. Lee Joon Hyuk’s subtle and restrained performance anchors the emotional weight of the series.

Mercy for None premieres June 6, 2025, on Netflix.

The Rise of Webtoon-Based Hits

Mercy for None is part of a broader trend in Korean entertainment: the live-action adaptation of webtoons and web novels. This summer, major IP-based releases are expected to dominate both theatrical and OTT platforms.

  • Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy: This blockbuster film, based on the Naver web novel with over 2 billion global views, stars Ahn Hyo Seop and Lee min ho. With a production budget exceeding ₩30 billion, it’s one of the largest Korean tentpole films to date, set for release in July.
  • The Remarried Empress: A drama adaptation featuring Shin Min Ah, Joo Ji Hoon, Lee Jong Suk, and Lee Se-young, based on the popular web novel.
  • Men of the Harem: Directed by Lee Eung-bok (Mr. Sunshine, Goblin) and written by Hwang Jin-young (My Dearest), this adaptation is rumored to star Suzy as the female lead.
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With Mercy for None already generating buzz ahead of release, all eyes are on whether this noir revenge saga can deliver on its promise. As the competition intensifies across both OTT and cinema, proven IPs like webtoons and web novels are proving to be the key battlegrounds for Korean content supremacy in 2025.

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