So Ji-sub discusses 'Mercy for None,' iconic webtoon turned into series

Veteran K-drama star responds to 'Mercy for None' backlash, reflects on his passion for noir genre.
Adapting a hit webtoon into live action has become a go-to move for drama creators, lowering risk while guaranteeing a ready-made fanbase eager to leap from digital panels to episodic storytelling. It is no surprise that original screenplays are becoming the exception rather than the rule in today's drama landscape.
Netflix Korea's tentpole series 'Mercy for None' rode that wave, bringing one of the most critically acclaimed webtoons to life with a star-studded ensemble cast. Fans were especially thrilled by the casting of So Ji-sub as the lead — a longtime fan-favorite pick to embody the webtoon's ruthless protagonist.
However, adapting beloved material comes with risks: Since its June 6 premiere, 'Mercy for None' has faced backlash from loyal webtoon fans over major plot changes.
So, a veteran actor known for past hits such as "I'm Sorry, I Love You" (2004) and "Master's Sun" (2013), acknowledged the mixed reactions during a group interview held Thursday in Seoul's Samcheong-dong.
'When adapting a webtoon into a series, it's not like the intention is to harm it or make it worse,' said So.
'In some ways, there's an effort to create an even better piece, something that surpasses the original. Of course, once it's completed, there will inevitably be mixed opinions," he added. 'That's not something that can be controlled. But at the very least, I don't think the original (webtoon) is ever purchased with the intent to damage it.'
In embodying his character, So reflected on the emotional depth he aimed to bring to Gi-jun, a cold-blooded former gangster on a path of vengeance following his brother's murder.
"I naturally tried to capture the vibe that character gives off. Of course, I couldn't imitate every look or gesture, but I tried to hold that essence in my heart. I'm not sure if I fully succeeded, but that was my mindset." He added, "I hoped that Gi-jun's revenge for his brother, along with his desperate and pitiable sides, would come through."
'Mercy for None' marks So's long-awaited return to the action genre, 13 years after his turn as a corporate assassin in "A Company Man."
With Korean audiences long accustomed to iconic action figures, from genre staples such as "John Wick" and local heroes like Detective Ma Seok-do from the hit "The Outlaws" franchise, he reflected on how he approached the physicality of his role in "Mercy for None."
'There's more action in this series compared to others,' So said. 'To show Gi-jun's almost invincible nature, I thought it was essential to convey power and energy. If you look closely at my action style, I might get pushed back, but I never dodge by stepping away. I really tried to incorporate that.'
He also pointed to the stripped-down dialogue as a key aspect of the performance. 'There's very little dialogue. I think we filled in those gaps with the help of the camera and the director's guidance. Personally, I actually prefer roles without much dialogue.'
So's return to the noir-action space with "Mercy for None" marks a homecoming to a genre he holds close. 'I personally really enjoy the noir genre. It's something I want to keep doing, even as I get older. Above all, I heard that the script for 'Mercy for None' came to me first, and I was especially grateful for that,' he said.
'When I reflect on myself, I think it's a genre I'm good at. My acting style doesn't involve dramatic emotional swings or a lot of expressive outbursts. I prefer roles that rely on physicality, subtle expressions or acting through the eyes. That's why I think noir suits me well.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Korea Herald

21 hours ago

• Korea Herald

[Exclusive] BTS to come back in March: Hybe source

Group to return with labelmate Tomorrow X Together in mid-March, according to another source Big Hit Music says comeback schedule for boy group has yet to be finalized BTS is set to make its long-awaited full-group comeback in March next year, multiple industry sources confirmed to The Korea Herald. With all seven members completing their mandatory 18-month military service by this weekend — Suga is scheduled for discharge on Saturday — speculation has been mounting among fans and the wider K-pop industry over when the group would reunite and resume full-scale activities. 'BTS' comeback date is set for March next year,' a Hybe official confirmed through The Korea Herald's source recently. Two additional sources based overseas also said the biggest K-pop act in history is preparing to return as a full group early next year. 'While the exact date is unknown, I think it will be mid-March. I heard BTS is returning in the same month as their brother group Tomorrow X Together,' one source told The Korea Herald. 'It could be BTS first, then TXT — or the other way around.' Another source said that Enhypen, a boy group under Belift Lab, had initially planned its comeback for March, but moved it to January to avoid overlapping with BTS' return. Belift Lab is a Hybe subsidiary under its multilabel system along with Big Hit Music, which manages BTS. Big Hit said no confirmation has been made on the group's comeback schedule. While March may seem distant, Hybe CEO Lee Jae-sang previously signaled a longer timeline during the company's shareholder meeting in March this year. He stated that the BTS members would need time for preparation and creative work after their military discharge. 'We're preparing alongside top-tier producers, but the artists also need time to reflect and prepare,' Lee said. Meanwhile, Jin is scheduled to kick off his solo fan concert tour 'Runseokjin_EP.Tour' starting June 28-29 in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. The tour will take him to nine cities, including Chiba and Osaka in Japan, Anaheim, Dallas, Tampa and Newark in the US, as well as London and Amsterdam, with 18 shows planned through Aug. 10 — making a BTS comeback this year unlikely. However, industry insiders see a possibility of a prerelease single or other project dropping before the group's official return. [단독] 방탄소년단, 내년 3월 완전체 컴백…하이브 관계자 '복귀 시점 정해져' 그룹 방탄소년단(BTS)이 내년 3월 완전체로 돌아올 전망이다. 하이브 소속사 관계자를 포함한 복수의 업계 관계자들이 최근 코리아헤럴드에 'BTS의 컴백 시점이 내년 3월로 정해졌다'고 전했다. 오는 토요일 슈가의 소집해제를 끝으로 멤버 전원이 18개월간의 군 복무를 마치게 되면서, BTS의 활동 재개 시점에 대한 기대감이 높아지고 있다. 해외에 기반을 둔 또 다른 관계자는 '정확한 날짜는 정해지지 않았지만 3월 중순이 될 가능성이 크다'며 '형제 그룹인 투모로우바이투게더(TXT)와 같은 시기에 돌아올 것으로 들었다. BTS가 먼저일 수도 있고, TXT가 먼저일 수도 있다'고 밝혔다. 또 다른 소식통에 따르면 하이브 산하 빌리프랩 소속 보이그룹 엔하이픈은 당초 내년 3월 컴백을 계획했으나, BTS와의 일정이 겹치는 것을 피하기 위해 컴백 시기를 1월로 앞당겼다. BTS가 소속된 빅히트뮤직 역시 하이브의 멀티 레이블 체제에 속해 있다. 이와 관련해 빅히트뮤직은 '컴백 일정은 확정된 바 없다'고 밝혔다. 3월이라는 시점이 아직 9개월여 남아 있는 만큼 다소 늦은 복귀처럼 느껴질 수 있지만, 하이브 이재상 대표는 지난 3월 주주총회에서 '멤버들이 전역 후 준비와 창작을 위한 시간이 필요하다'고 밝힌 바 있다. 이 대표는 '최상위급 프로듀서들과 함께 준비하고 있지만, 아티스트들도 자신을 돌아보고 정비하는 시간이 필요하다'고 전했다. 한편, 맏형 진은 오는 6월 28~29일 경기도 고양에서 솔로 팬 콘서트 투어 'Runseokjin_EP.Tour'의 포문을 연다. 이번 투어는 일본 지바·오사카, 미국 애너하임·댈러스·탬파·뉴어크, 영국 런던, 네덜란드 암스테르담 등 9개 도시에서 총 18회에 걸쳐 8월 10일까지 이어진다. 이에 따라 연내 완전체 컴백 가능성은 낮은 상황이다.

Korea Herald

a day ago

• Korea Herald

BTS member Suga officially discharged from military service

K-pop group BTS member Suga was discharged from the South Korean military on Saturday, the seventh and final member to complete the country's mandatory national service amid expectations of the band's comeback from a hiatus. Suga finished his military tenure as a social service agent on Saturday with little fanfare as fans looked forward to his reunion with the rest of the band, a K-pop sensation since it started up in 2013. "We confirm that Suga effectively completed his alternative service on June 18 by using his remaining leave. His official discharge date is June 21," BTS' label, Big Hit Music, said in a statement. Unlike with his BTS bandmates, there was no public event planned to mark Suga's release because of overcrowding concerns. The seven members of the group put their global music careers on hold in 2022 to begin their military service, starting with Jin in December that year. South Korea's mandatory national service can be for terms of up to 18 months. Shortly after his official discharge, Suga posted a message on fan community platform Weverse, saying he was "sorry for the disappointment and concern caused by what happened last year", and also apologizing to his bandmates. Last year, Suga was fined 15 million won ($11,500) by a court for drunk driving while on an electric scooter. The group is expected to hold its largest-ever world tour in 2026, an NH Securities entertainment analyst said in a report.

Korea Herald

a day ago

• Korea Herald

J-Hope's new single debuts at No. 30 on British chart

A new single by J-Hope of the K-pop sensation BTS has debuted at No. 30 on the top British chart. The Official UK Singles Chart released Friday (local time) showed "Killin' It Girl (feat. GloRilla)" at No. 30, J-Hope's highest position on the chart in his solo career. J-Hope had previously peaked at No. 37 with "on the street" and No. 42 with "Sweet Dreams." "Killin' It Girl," released June 13, topped iTunes charts in 61 countries last weekend. Among other K-pop acts, "APT." by Rose of BLACKPINK with Bruno Mars dropped two spots to No. 32. The international hit peaked at No. 2 and has now been on the British chart for the 35th consecutive week. (Yonhap)