Kingmaker (2022)

the main lead for The Merciless is also the main lead for kingmaker (solkyunggu)

The visuals and colors for both are amazing.
If you liked The merciless, you’d probably also like Kingmaker

Both have a fixer who can go anything to make their representative leader.
Political based drama .
Struggle to keep political and personal life apart.

Starring Sol Kyung Gu
Playing real life historical figures. One is a inexperienced actor and the other is playing in the shadow of a president.
Acting in both are excellent.

Both took place around the 1960s, and are heavily political. In a way, Uncle Samsik feels like the kingmaker/strategist role and Kim San the person he is trying to make into a leader.