From Choo Young-woo to Lee Jun-hyuk: Korea’s No.1 Most Anticipated K-Drama Right Now

Netflix’s upcoming noir action series Mercy For None is generating major buzz in Korea—even before its official release—despite being rated 19+. Starring So Ji-sub, the series has claimed the No.1 spot in viewer anticipation, overtaking even the high-budget Disney+ original Nine Puzzle.

According to Consumer Insight’s OTT K-Original Content Viewer Evaluation Report for the fourth week of May, Mercy For None achieved a 27% awareness rate and 17% viewer anticipation rate three weeks before its release. It ranked No.1 among all upcoming releases for the second week in a row. Disney+’s Nine Puzzle, starring Son Suk-ku and Kim Da-mi and reportedly made with a budget of 30 billion KRW, came in second, while Wavve’s ONE: High School Heroes placed third.

Set to premiere globally on Netflix on June 6 at 4 PM KST, Mercy For None is an 8-episode drama adapted from the beloved webtoon of the same name. The plot follows Nam Gi-jun, a man who once belonged to a powerful organization called “Mercy For None.” After severing ties—both literally and figuratively—by destroying his own Achilles’ heel, he returns 11 years later, drawn back by the sudden death of his younger brother, Gi-seok, who had risen to the second-in-command position within the group. Gi-jun sets out to uncover the truth behind his brother’s death and embark on a relentless path of revenge.

The teaser poster, released on the 22nd, shows So Ji-sub with a clenched fist, blood-stained face and hands, and a piercingly cold gaze, signaling the brutal vengeance that lies ahead. The bold red title paired with the tagline “Once you start, you must die to end it” amplifies the show’s dark tone and gritty atmosphere.

The official trailer, also unveiled the same day, features Gi-jun appearing at his brother’s funeral, marking the beginning of his revenge journey. From scenes of brutal hand-to-hand combat to his signature baseball bat weapon, the action sequences promise a gripping spectacle.

A chilling line from Lee Joo-woon, played by Heo Jun-ho—“Anyone who messes up must pay the price”—reveals the ruthless rules of Mercy For None's underworld, heightening anticipation around Gi-jun's return and the chaos he’s about to unleash.

The trailer also introduces a host of striking characters: Gong Myung as the eerie heir Goo Jun-mo with a bloodied face and unsettling smile; Choo Young-woo as prosecutor Lee Geum-son whose hidden desires are revealed; Ahn Gil-kang as the enraged gang leader Goo Bong-san; Jo Han-chul as Lee Joo-woon’s loyal right-hand Choi Sung-chul; and Cha Seung-won as Cha Young-do, the shadowy figure behind Mercy For None who senses Gi-jun’s return.

Based on a webtoon by Oh Se-hyung and Kim Kyoon-tae—hailed as “the most perfectly crafted noir in webtoon history” on Naver Webtoon—the drama has already built a strong fanbase. After previewing the series, the original creators shared congratulatory illustrations and messages. Oh Se-hyung posted a sketch of Gi-jun in leather gloves with the caption, “As expected—perfection. Cheering on the reborn ‘Nam Gi-jun’!” Kim Kyoon-tae added an illustration of the Gi-jun and Gi-seok brothers smiling together, writing, “Hope you all enjoy Netflix’s ‘Mercy For None’!”

Director Choi Sung-eun explained, “The original webtoon’s high quality and immersive storytelling guided our adaptation. We focused on preserving its tone and the revenge arc centered on Nam Gi-jun while adding unique elements to give the series its own flavor. It’s designed to satisfy both fans of the original and newcomers alike.”

With a star-studded cast including So Ji-sub, Heo Jun-ho, Gong Myung, Choo Young-woo, Ahn Gil-kang, Lee Beom-soo, Jo Han-chul, Cha Seung-won, and Lee Jun-hyuk, all eyes are on whether Mercy For None can make waves in the global K-drama scene.

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