My favorite korean movie
I watched it in 2020 and it stayed with me. I like rewatching it from time to time.This movie is really amazing. When I finished watching I had to sit down and think.
The story is ususual compared to other movies of this genere. It puts bigger focus on the characters. Espacially two main ones, Jaeho and Hyunsoo, make the impression and their actors, Sul Kyunggu and Yim Siwan deliver a stellar performance.
Definitely recomend it.
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amazing
Was just so confused the whole way with the characters thoughts and who was on whose side, but that’s what made everything at the end so much more impactful. It’s truly the kind of movie you’ll never be able to watch again for the first time. I cried without shedding any tears, it was an amazing watchWas this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Would definitely recommend
There are some spoilers ahead !!The cast is definitely a 10/10. Sol Kyung-gu and Im Siwan really had good chemistry and really sold it from antagonist to bromance. The plot can be confusing as they jump from timelines to timelines so it was a bit hard to keep up however as the story goes on it will slowly merge into a storyline that makes sense. The only character I had a problem with was the chief, like I felt like besides wanting the drugs and arresting the gangster she had no depth to her character in my opinion! Im Siwan's character did not deserved to go through what he did!
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Amazing
Im Siwan never fails to impress me and he gives justice to his character. I absolutly loved Hyunsu's chara dev. He was such an interesting and complex character. Until the very end we didn't know what he was up to (and i think it is still kinda unclear) but it's what made the movie so fun to watch. It was not predictable at all.Anyway, i recommand this drama to absolutly anyone who likes drama similar to the worst of evil
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This review may contain spoilers
Fast pased, gripping story with A-Ha moments and surprising twists.
The story has no linear telling, so there are some twists, because the actual fact get´s only later revealed. That´s common practice in this kind of movies, and nothing new. The movie is also no original story, it´s been done many times. But it´s fast pased, gripping, griddy and bloody. If you´re a fan of cop and gangster stories, you definitly going to enjoy this movie! The action is well executed and not unrealistic at all.Story: Not original, but there are twists I very liked, the first time I watched it. 8/10
Acting/Cast: Very good actors. I discovered Yim Si Wan through this movie. 10/10
Music: fitting 9/10
Rewatch Value: watched it three times till now 10/10
Overall: 9,5/10
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Unexpected Gem
The thing about The Merciless is that, on paper, it’s a story I’ve seen many times before. Prison hierarchies, power games, loyalty, betrayal, none of this is new to me. And yet, while watching it, I never once felt bored or disconnected. That’s because this movie lives and breathes through its actors.Siwan and Sul Kyung-gu completely carry this film on their shoulders. Their performances are so powerful that they make the story feel brand new, even when the structure is familiar. This is one of those movies that reminded me why acting matters so much. A good plot is important, but great acting can transform everything.
Sul Kyung-gu, especially, was the heart of the movie for me. From the moment he appeared on screen, there was something magnetic about his character. I found myself wanting to protect him, to save him at all costs, even when I wasn’t sure he deserved it. That emotional pull didn’t come from the script, it came from the way he inhabited the role. He was the movie.
The chemistry between him and Siwan is another reason the story works so well. Their dynamic feels tense, layered, and constantly shifting. Add to that the endless twists, and suddenly a familiar plot becomes gripping again. I genuinely didn’t expect to be this invested.
Plot*
Story-wise, we follow Jae-ho and Hyun-su, who meet while both are behind bars. At first, Jae-ho presents himself as a protective, almost fatherly figure. He seems amused by Hyun-su’s fearless bravado. They soon form brotherly type relationship. Jae-ho controls the cigarette trade in prison, and as the film moves back and forth in time, we slowly learn the brutal path that led him there.
What also really stood out to me was the cinematography and camera work. The film has that raw, early-2000s energy before everything became too polished and Netflix-clean. The camera moves with intention, often making you feel like you’re standing right there with the characters. Combined with the performances, it creates an immersive experience that pulls you in completely.
In the end, The Merciless reminded me that even a familiar story can feel new when it’s told with conviction. It’s not perfect, and it doesn’t reinvent the genre, but the acting, chemistry, and atmosphere make it absolutely worth the watch. This is one of those films that stays with you, not because of what it says, but because of how it feels.
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literally wowww!
Definitely a must watch!This movie is absolutely amazing! The plot twists are really good also it’s heart-touching in many ways, making you laugh, cry, and feel every emotion in between. The two main leads absolutely killed their roles with powerful performances that keep you glued to the screen. If you’re into crime dramas with depth and surprises, this one’s for you!
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This review may contain spoilers
excellent
Une infiltration de la police dans un gang, c'est du classique, mais quand c'est joué magnifiquement c'est superbe !Les deux acteurs principaux délivrent une vraie performance ! Cette amitié improbable entre ce jeune flic infiltré et ce "vieux" chef de gang est construite petit à petit, couche par couche, avec quelques surprises.
Un peu comme dans "the worst of evil" avec Ji Chang Wook, l'action est toujours là, violente, avec en toile de fond des liens profonds qui se nouent entre nos deux leads. Du respect puis de la confiance et enfin de l'amitié.
Bravo à Yim Si Wan et Sul Kyung Gu pour ce film magnifique où on ne s'ennuie jamais
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