The star-studded cast and director of new noir drama 'Mercy for None' dive deep into the characters

The cast of 'Mercy for None' shared details of their characters and shared their thoughts on the original series, garnering massive buzz even before the premiere.

'Mercy for None' is a noir action drama delving into the world of organized crime. Based on a popular Naver webtoon of the same name, the series has been attracting intense attention, even with its 19+ (R) rating.

At the press conference held on June 5 at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, director Choi Sung Eun expressed strong confidence in the cast. He shared, "It’s an unbelievable lineup. So Ji Sub in particular was the casting fans of the original webtoon wanted most, and I’m glad he took the role. I was personally very curious how So Ji Sub would portray Nam Ki Jun: What kind of expressions and emotional tones he’d bring to the character.” He added, “All the other actors are also perfectly cast. As a director, I had such rich ingredients to work with that I could create freely.”

At the heart of 'Mercy for None' is a revenge-driven plot. Once the most feared force in the underworld, known as “Kwangjang,” Nam Ki Jun (played by So Ji Sub) retired after cutting his own Achilles tendon during a mysterious incident. Now, 11 years later, he returns following the suspicious death of his younger brother, Nam Ki Seok (Lee Joon Hyuk), who had risen to become the number two in the gang. Determined to uncover the truth behind his brother’s death, Nam Ki Jun embarks on a bloody path of vengeance.

So Ji Sub returns to the action genre for the first time in 13 years. The actor said, “It’s hard to believe that much time has passed. I’ve really wanted to do something like this again, and I’m glad the opportunity came.” He added, “I think action is like dialogue delivered through the body. I wanted the emotional flow of the character to come through in the action scenes. Action should also have a narrative arc - beginning, middle, and end.”

On his character Nam Ki Jun, So Ji Sub explained, “Ki Jun is someone who expresses himself more through actions and his eyes than through words. I focused a lot on filling the silence, what’s in between the lines, more than just the physical action.”

Director Choi also discussed the unique aspects of Nam Ki Jun’s character. He said, “Because Ki Jun cut his Achilles, he walks with a limp; his injury is a critical weakness. That’s why we designed action scenes that are slower but relentless, always moving forward. It represents how Ki Jun pushes ahead no matter what.”

Another major draw of 'Mercy for None' is its star-studded cast. Lee Jun Hyuk plays Nam Ki Seok, Ki Jun’s younger brother and former second-in-command of the Juwoon gang. Choo Young Woo takes on the role of Lee Geum Son, the son of Juwoon’s boss and a prosecutor with dark ambitions to disrupt the power balance in the underworld. Gong Myung appears as Koo Jun Mo, heir to the rival Bongsan gang, an immature and brutally reckless character.

Additional cast includes Huh Joon Ho as Juwoon’s boss Lee Ju Woon, Ahn Kil Kang as Bongsan’s leader Koo Bong San, Jo Han Chul as Lee Ju Woon’s right-hand man Choi Sung Chul, and Lee Bum Soo as Shim Sung Won, the CEO of Nclean who handles Kwangang’s dirty business. Notably, Cha Seung Won plays the enigmatic Cha Young Do—a mysterious figure unaffiliated with either gang who is expected to throw the entire underworld into further chaos.

Pre-released stills have captured the show’s intense and suspenseful atmosphere. From Nam Ki Jun’s solemn expression as he views his brother’s body, to tense standoffs between gang leaders, and the inner turmoil of key characters, each image hints at the complexity and grit of the story. Flashbacks to past Square battles and visceral, desperate action sequences further tease what’s to come as Nam Ki Jun returns to a world where the old rules no longer apply.

Director Choi emphasized respect for the original webtoon while also noting the creative liberties taken in adaptation. “We tried to preserve the chilling tone of the source material,” he said. “Since the project was conceived as a series, we wanted to explore not just Ki Jun’s story, but also the backgrounds and desires of other characters. It was about expanding and reinterpreting the world beyond the original.”

In the world of 'Mercy for None,' a strict code reigns: “Anyone who touches another must pay the price.” But Nam Ki Jun’s return after 11 years disrupts this fragile balance, triggering a chain of unpredictable events. The fierce power struggles among nine characters, each chasing their own goals and desires, will be the central focus.

Consisting of seven episodes, 'Mercy for None' premiered globally on Netflix at 4 PM KST on June 6. 

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