Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Mercy for None, which just dropped on Netflix and is already being hailed as one of the most intense and violent crime dramas to hit the platform this year!
Mercy for None premiered exclusively on Netflix on June 6, 2025, with 8 episodes each running approximately 60 minutes. This gritty Korean crime drama is based on the popular webtoon “Plaza Wars” written by Oh Se-hyung and illustrated by Kim Kyun-tae, bringing the brutal world of Seoul’s criminal underworld to life with unflinching realism.
Directed by Choi Sung-eun (known for “Little Sister”) and written by Yoo Ki-seong, the series stars powerhouse actor So Ji-sub in his most physically demanding role to date. After severing ties with his gang, former enforcer Nam Gi-jun is forced back into the violent world he left behind when his younger brother is brutally murdered.
The series doesn’t pull any punches in its depiction of gang violence and the psychological toll of living in Seoul’s criminal ecosystem. With So Ji-sub wielding a baseball bat as his weapon of choice, Mercy for None delivers brutal action sequences that serve the story’s exploration of brotherhood, loyalty, and the price of revenge.
From Gang Enforcer to Vengeful Brother – The Blood-Soaked Plot
Nam Gi-jun was once a key member of the Bongsan Gang led by Gu Bong-san, fighting through violent battles that helped grow the organization into a powerful company. However, he made the ultimate sacrifice for family when he left the gang by cutting his own Achilles tendon, ensuring he could never return to his life of violence and allowing his younger brother Nam Gi-seok to join the rival Joowoon Gang.
Eleven years after leaving his criminal past behind, Gi-jun’s attempt at a peaceful life is shattered when Gi-seok is brutally murdered. The death of his brother forces the former enforcer back into Seoul’s criminal underworld, where old rivalries and new threats await. His quest for truth becomes a relentless path of revenge that threatens to consume everything he once tried to protect.
The series excels at showing how violence begets violence in an endless cycle. Gi-jun’s investigation reveals a complex web of betrayal and corruption that extends far beyond simple gang rivalries, forcing him to confront enemies both old and new while questioning whether justice and revenge can ever truly be the same thing.
So Ji-sub’s Career-Defining Performance – Nam Gi-jun’s Brutal Return
So Ji-sub delivers what might be his most physically and emotionally demanding performance as Nam Gi-jun, the former gang enforcer haunted by his violent past. His portrayal captures both the character’s desperate desire for peace and the cold efficiency that made him legendary in Seoul’s criminal underworld. The physical transformation and intense action sequences showcase So Ji-sub’s commitment to authentically portraying this broken yet dangerous man.
Gi-jun’s character arc explores the impossibility of truly escaping one’s past when that past is built on violence and blood. So Ji-sub masterfully shows how eleven years of trying to live peacefully haven’t erased the skills or instincts that once made him feared throughout the city. His scenes wielding the signature baseball bat are both brutal and heartbreaking, showing a man who never wanted to kill again being forced back into the role of executioner.
The emotional core of So Ji-sub’s performance lies in Gi-jun’s relationship with his dead brother and his guilt over the choices that led to this tragedy. His portrayal balances cold-blooded efficiency in combat with genuine grief and rage, creating a character who feels both terrifying and deeply human.
Powerhouse Supporting Cast – Allies and Enemies in the Criminal Underworld
Huh Joon-ho brings gravitas and menace to Lee Ju-woon, leader of the Joowoon Gang and a formidable antagonist whose history with both brothers adds personal stakes to the conflict. His performance creates a villain who operates with intelligence and strategy rather than simple brutality, making him a worthy opponent for Gi-jun’s quest for vengeance.
Ahn Kil-kang returns as Gu Bong-san, Gi-jun’s former boss whose loyalties become increasingly unclear as old alliances are tested by new betrayals. Gong Myoung and Lee Beom-su round out the supporting cast with performances that add depth to the series’ exploration of honor, betrayal, and survival in Seoul’s criminal ecosystem.
The series particularly excels in showing how gang structures operate like twisted families, with bonds of loyalty that can be both protective and destructive. Each supporting character represents different approaches to survival in this violent world, from those who embrace the brutality to those who seek escape but find themselves trapped by circumstances beyond their control.
The Final Reckoning – When Vengeance Consumes Everything
The climactic episodes push Gi-jun to his absolute limits as his investigation reveals the full scope of the conspiracy behind his brother’s death. The series builds to confrontations that test not only his physical abilities but his moral boundaries, forcing him to decide how far he’s willing to go for justice and whether some prices are too high to pay.
The action sequences in these final episodes are both spectacular and devastating, showing the true cost of violence on everyone involved. The series doesn’t glamorize revenge, instead showing how the pursuit of vengeance can become a destructive force that consumes both the seeker and everyone around them.
Netflix’s violent K-drama follows a plot of vengeance in Seoul’s criminal underworld that culminates in revelations about corruption, betrayal, and the thin line between justice and murder. The ending forces viewers to confront difficult questions about morality, family loyalty, and whether true peace is possible for someone with blood on their hands.
Success on Netflix – Brutal Authenticity Captivates Global Audiences
Mercy for None has quickly become one of Netflix’s most talked-about Korean crime dramas, praised for its unflinching portrayal of gang violence and So Ji-sub’s powerhouse performance. The series succeeds by treating its subject matter with the seriousness it deserves, never glorifying violence while acknowledging its devastating impact on everyone involved.
The adaptation of the Plaza Wars webtoon has resonated with international audiences who appreciate crime dramas that don’t pull punches in their depiction of moral complexity and psychological trauma. Each 60-minute episode builds tension methodically, allowing character development and emotional stakes to drive the narrative alongside brutal action sequences. The series has sparked discussions about justice, revenge, and the cyclical nature of violence in organized crime.
Critics have praised director Choi Sung-eun’s vision and the exceptional performances from the entire cast, particularly noting how the series balances intense action with genuine emotional depth. Mercy for None demonstrates that crime dramas can be both viscerally exciting and intellectually challenging, creating viewing experiences that linger long after the credits roll.
If you love intense crime dramas with exceptional performances, brutal action sequences, and complex moral questions about justice and revenge, Mercy for None is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This isn’t just another gang story – it’s a devastating exploration of brotherhood, sacrifice, and the prices we pay for the choices we make.
Mercy for None delivers a viscerally powerful crime drama that combines So Ji-sub’s career-best performance with unflinching storytelling, proving that the most compelling revenge stories are often the most morally complex.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 8
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 8.7/10
Genre: Action, Crime, Thriller, Drama
Main Protagonists: So Ji-sub (Nam Gi-jun), Lee Jun-hyuk (Nam Gi-seok), Gong Myoung
Antagonist: Huh Joon-ho (Lee Ju-woon), Ahn Kil-kang (Gu Bong-san)
