Latest news with #MercyForNone
The Star
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
'Mercy For None' review: One-punch gangster is a one-note wonder
'Idiot! Chairs only work for lion tamers in circuses. And you're just a clown.' Photos: Handout Whenever South Korean beat-'em-up extravaganzas are mentioned, one would think Ma Dong-seok aka Don Lee has all the other stars ... er, beat. Not so fast. We can now add rapper-actor So Ji-sub (Doctor Lawyer, Sophie's Revenge, Be With You) to the pantheon of screen bruiser demigods. The short, decidedly unsweet action/crime limited series Mercy For None rests firmly on So's squared shoulders and melancholy gaze as he bludgeons his way through gangsters, hitmen, dirty cops and fixers on a mission of revenge. The storyline uses familiar building blocks: intergang rivalry, sons trying to prove their worth to their fathers, fathers wanting their sons to lead better lives than they did, gangsters vying for position, betrayal, duty, corruption, and the ever-popular heroic bloodshed. So plays Kim Gi-jun, formerly a trusted lieutenant of gang lords Lee Ju-woon (Huh Joon-ho) and Gu Bong-san (Ahn Gil-kang) back when they were mere flunkies to a bigger fish. 'Sigh, what a mess. And is that guy sleeping on the job? Oh well, it was time to redecorate and rightsize anyway.' While helping them take over and split the territory, Gi-jun committed a big breach of criminal ethics (cough cough) and was forced to leave after having his Achilles tendon severed – undoubtedly more debilitating than just taking a little finger, like they do across the Tsushima Strait. When his younger brother Gi-seok (Lee Jun-hyuk, Stranger, Vigilante), who is being groomed as the Ju-woon gang's next boss, becomes a target, Gi-jun comes swinging back into action. The culprits seem obvious at first, but it soon becomes evident (to the viewer, if not the clueless principal players in this little melodrama) that a far-reaching conspiracy is afoot. Mercy For None, based on the 2020 webtoon Plaza Wars: Mercy For None by Oh Se-hyung and Kim Gyun-tae, has all the elements for an engaging study of the interesting relationship among its trope-heavy characters. Not so fast, there. From the sparse credits found online for writer Yoo Ki-seong and director Choi Sung-eun, this seems to be their first high-profile project, and they prefer to let So's flailing fists do the talking rather than linger on brooding gangster noir moments (although one shared drink between Ju-woon and Bongsan does fill in the gangland gravitas quota somewhat). 'I like what you've done with the grounds. Odd choice of garden gnomes, though.' Also, unlike many of its comrades in the K-drama sphere, Mercy For None dispenses with characters who are in there just for comic relief. (One split-second exception being a disposable goon in an early episode who seems to defy all of Newton's Laws of Motion when Gi-jun hits him in the face.) Heaping helpings of poetic justice are served along the way, with the tale ending more or less how you imagine it should. Not for the squeamish, Mercy For None is ironically a soothing salve for viewers in need of spleen-venting through the vicarious thrill of screen carnage. And from the way this one shot to the top of the local charts, that covers a whole lot of us. All seven episodes of Mercy For None are available on Netflix.
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
So Ji-sub responds to 'Mercy For None' backlash
'Mercy For None' marks So Ji-sub's long-awaited return to the action genre, 13 years after his turn as a corporate assassin in 'A Company Man'. Photo: Handout 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-favourite 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 seasoned 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.' – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Korean noir 'Mercy For None' tops Netflix's non-English series chart
The action noir "Mercy For None" claimed the top spot on Netflix's global non-English series chart, the streaming giant said Wednesday. The series garnered 7.6 million views for the week ending on Sunday, far outperforming the runner-up, "Cocaine Air: Smugglers at 30,000 Ft." which drew 4.2 million views. Adapted from the hit webtoon "Plaza Wars," "Mercy For None" centers on Ki-jun (So Ji-sub) as he reenters the criminal underworld to avenge the mysterious death of his younger brother Ki-seok (Lee Jun-hyuk). Both the series and the original webtoon share the Korean title "Gwangjang," meaning plaza. The series premiered on June 6. Two other Korean series also landed in the top 10: "Tastefully Yours" at No. 5 and "Our Unwritten Seoul" at No. 6. (Yonhap)
The Star
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Legendary webtoon 'Mercy For None' comes to life in new Netflix series
So's casting as Ki-joon has delighted fans who had long envisioned him as the right actor to play the role of the ruthless fighter. — Photos: Handout Two icons converge in Netflix's latest crime noir series as one of the South Korea's most widely beloved webtoons gets the live-action treatment with fan-favourite actor So Ji-sub stepping into the lead role. Titled Mercy For None, the series follows Ki-joon (So), a former gangster who resurfaces after an 11-year disappearance to avenge his brother's death. Adapted from the wildly popular Naver Webtoon of the same name, which ran from 2020 to 2021, the series builds on the source material's reputation as one of South Korea's most anticipated noir-action titles this year. So's casting as Ki-joon was a dream come true for longtime fans of the original comic, who had long envisioned him as the perfect fit for the ruthless fighter, according to the series' director. So is known for his performances in hit K-dramas such as I'm Sorry, I Love You and Master's Sun. — So Ji-sub/Instagram 'So Ji-sub was the casting that fans of the original webtoon wanted most for the live-action adaptation. I was really glad that he agreed to take the role,' said director Choi Seong-eun at a press conference in Seoul recently. 'Even I wasn't sure at first what kind of image or expression that actor would bring to the character Ki-joon. But on the first day I met him, I felt that he would be able to convey Ki-joon's emotions well. I was given the opportunity to create freely in a rich environment with truly great ingredients.' Known for his performances in past hit dramas such as I'm Sorry, I Love You (2004) and Master's Sun (2013), So returns to the action genre for the first time in over a decade, following his role in the 2012 feature A Company For None also marks his debut in an original series for a streamer. The series is adapted from the wildly popular Naver Webtoon of the same name, which ran from 2020 to 2021. Discussing the action-driven narrative, So explained his approach to the role's physicality. 'The director told us not to include unnecessary action. He said it would be better not to throw in action just for the sake of it during transitional scenes. "When it comes to revenge, are we going to subdue these people or punish them? There's a difference, and we tried to make that distinction,' So, 47, said. 'For each character, I thought of the action as a form of dialogue spoken through the body. "The director said it would be great if the characters' energy and emotional flow could be felt when they fight," the actor explained. "He also said the action should have a narrative arc —beginning, development, twist and conclusion. "He wanted the intensity of the action to build gradually and reach a climax. "We talked about a lot of things beyond that too, and fortunately, I think all of that was well reflected in the final piece,' So added. Director Choi emphasised that the emotional stakes were central to staging the combat. 'For the action scenes as well, Ki-joon's emotions were the most important. If the emotions weren't convincing, it could come across as just a physical clash. I directed it so that the collision of emotions would manifest as action.' – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network Mercy For None is available on Netflix.
Indian Express
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Netflix's Mercy for None actor So Ji Sub breaks silence on backlash over ‘ruining' the adaptation, reveals losing 15 kgs for the role
South Korean actor So Ji Sub, who made his acting comeback with his first Netflix project Mercy For None, recently opened up about his return to the dark action genre that's now earned him the title of Korea's John Wick. The noir-action series, based on the popular webtoon Plaza Wars, sparked backlash from the moment its teaser dropped. And once the full series landed, many accused the OTT and the makers of ruining the experience with a weak storyline. Sitting down for an interview in Seoul, So didn't shy away from the criticism. He also shared how he dropped weight to transform into the character and thanked the public for crowning him with the new action-hero tag, drawing comparisons to Keanu Reeves' iconic role. Also read: Mercy for None Review: So Ji Sub's sad eyes are the only redemption in Netflix's flawed adaptation 'I didn't take on this project to ruin the original work,' the Confession star said during an interview in Jongno-gu, Seoul (Via KBIZOOm). When asked about concerns raised by loyal webtoon fans, the actor added, 'If anything, I hoped to make something even better.' In Mercy for None, So plays Ki Jun, a former gangster who got his Achilles tendon slashed as punishment for disrupting the underworld balance. Years later, he limps his way back into the crime world to avenge his brother's death. Surprisingly, So admitted he had no idea the show was based on a webtoon when he first signed on. 'I only received the script. Later, I found out I was actually the top fan pick to play Ki Jun,' he said. The series director Choi Sung Eun earlier revealed how she jumped on the fans' pick without second-guessing. Despite a bit of hesitation, she quickly realised in their first meeting that So was the perfect fit. Addressing fans' frustration over changes, he added, 'Adaptations will always be a little different, but I tried my best to stay true to the original heart of the story.' Also read: Mercy For None ending explained: 7 burning questions answered in So Ji Sub's dark Netflix noir Early reviews of Mercy for None dubbed So as the Korean John Wick, and he truly lived up to it, with his gritty tone, lead's dagger glare, emotionally driven character, and hard punches delivered with stoic precision. When the comparison with John Wick came up, So couldn't help but laugh. 'It's flattering. I never aimed for that, but I'm honoured,' he said. 'Korean noir is quite rare these days. I hope Gwangjang can help spark more noir productions in Korea. Every country has its own strengths when it comes to noir. Korea doesn't use guns as much, so the impact feels different. You can really feel the energy through direct, close-range fights.' Since its June 6 release, Mercy for None has stormed into Netflix's Top 10 in 44 countries, peaking at No. 2 globally in the non-English TV category. 'This was my first Netflix project,' So said. 'It felt like stepping into a completely new world.' It's been 13 years since So last touched the noir-action genre, so returning to the same, to mark his comeback, almost felt like 'pulling a cheat code.' The role demanded serious physical preparations too. The actor revealed losing 15 kgs for his character. 'Before starting the diet, I weighed 95 kg. By the end, I was in the 70s. I lost it the old-school way — restricting calories, eating chicken breasts. It wasn't easy. I love eating and gain weight easily, even when I barely eat.' Speaking about his action sequences, the actor told Korea Times, 'Acting brings joy, but it's equally challenging. My style doesn't usually swing wildly with emotions, so I focus on the small details.' So added, that while it might feel like he is repeating himself with every action, in reality, he just tries to show a new and fresh side of himself.
