This review may contain spoilers
Plot almost like john wick chapter 1
When i read the plot i new it was john wickish style but when i watch it , it was almost the same as the john wick i liked it and i didn't liked it. It is a good entertainer. Obviously made for action lovers no romance or female lead and i like this very thing of the series overall 9/10.Action is quite realistic and i also liked the seriousness of the main male lead.
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Unable to live up to standards
It's not the most attractive mobster revenge plot or having the most surprising political plot twists, to be honest the motivation design of every character is quite barebone and lackluster, the linkage that was presented is largely unconvincing at logical reasoning. Then there are those fighting sequences which were supposed to be the main highlight of this premise, yet they just turn out to be some dull looking bloody slugfest with really messy combat techniques, both storytelling and action fail to live up to its standards.Was this review helpful to you?
John Wick Inspired.
While watching this, could not help but think, John Wick.An infamous figure in the underworld, brought back for revenge.
Replace guns with melee weapons, replace a dog with a brother and set it in Korea.
Add more layers of story and emotion and you got Mercy for None.
If you are a fan of the former, you will enjoy this one too.
While the mastermind was pretty predictable, still entertaining till the end.
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Minor Spoiler? Doesn't Make Sense to me. Episode 1 - A Questionable Request.
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Even though a reasoning was given.
The request at the very start that started off the story just doesn't make sense to me.
Why did Chairman Gu Bongsan ask Chairman Lee Juwoon to help clean up after his Son?
Why ask a rival gang to help discipline his Son? Even Chairman Lee questioned it.
It's begging for something to go wrong. LOL.
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This review may contain spoilers
it's giving John Wick Asian version
This is an entertaining watch, perfect for binge-watching while relaxing on the couch over the weekend, especially for those who appreciate gritty, visceral action. While the storyline treads familiar ground—a former gang leader pulled out of retirement to avenge his brother’s suspicious death amidst a gang rivalry—it delivers with intensity. What sets it apart is its raw, physical combat: think John Wick, but with fists and blades instead of guns. The minimalist dialogue and relentless action scenes by the male lead create a striking, brutal atmosphere that fans of hard-hitting dramas will surely enjoy.Was this review helpful to you?
Brutal, Beautiful, and Surprisingly Emotional – Mercy for None Hits Hard
When I first read the synopsis for Mercy for None, I thought, “Oh great, another ex-gangster revenge drama.” But let me tell you — I was so wrong. This isn’t just a crime thriller. It’s a dark, emotional, slow-burning gut-punch that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go.So Ji Sub as Nam Gi Jun? Absolutely magnetic. The man barely speaks, but somehow you feel every ounce of his grief, guilt, and quiet rage. His performance is a masterclass in subtlety — every limp, every stare, every sigh is loaded with pain. And his fight scenes? Not flashy, not choreographed to look pretty — just raw, efficient, and real. You’ll wince with every punch.
👍 What I Loved:
So Ji Sub’s performance. Completely immersed in the role. Quiet but powerful.
Brutal action that actually feels like it hurts. Think fists, knives, real damage — no superhero nonsense.
The bleak, atmospheric cinematography. It sets the tone perfectly — cold, harsh, unforgiving.
Villains that are complex and terrifying. Gong Myung’s Koo Jun Mo is unhinged in the best possible way.
A plot that surprises. Just when you think you know where it’s going — bam. Twist.
👎 What Fell Short:
Some of the supporting characters could’ve used deeper development.
Middle episodes slowed down a bit too much — could’ve trimmed 10 minutes here and there.
I wish we got more insight into Gi Jun’s inner turmoil and past.
💭 Final Thoughts:
If you’re looking for romance, keep scrolling. But if you’re in the mood for a gritty, emotionally-loaded revenge story with real stakes, this one delivers. Mercy for None doesn’t pretend to be glamorous — it’s messy, painful, and shockingly human.
It’s kind of like John Wick if he fought with his fists and regrets instead of guns.
Definitely not for everyone the violence is intense and the tone is relentlessly dark — but for me? That made it unforgettable.
If you loved My Name, A Model Family, or the heavier moments of Vincenzo, you’re gonna eat this up. And if So Ji Sub doesn’t get at least a dozen awards for this… I riot.
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This review may contain spoilers
You can watch it for some good fight scenes and that's it
*fight scenes was really good and the reason to not drop it in middle.*Very weak story writing and poor acting of few characters.
*It could have been better if writer has read different good political novels to know how manipulation really works because you cannot left by saying someone was maintaining an equilibrium between both gangs from behind the curtains without showing how he really maintain the equilibrium, i mean come on these are the main things that shows how smart or creative a character is , you cannot left by writing he is the one who controls everything by showing some gully level blackmail and using some recorded audio.
*Lee Geum Son supposed to have a plan on how he will fade the line between illigal and legal but no he has no plans or i could say writer doesn't have idea how he will do it.
*In short you could say very poor writing, acting doesn't fill the gap by poor writing but you can watch it for good action.
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1"It never ends until we're all dead!" That's the spirit!
Mercy for None wasn’t an extraordinary drama but it did what it set out to do-show mercy for none. As far as Korean revenge entertainment goes it succeeded for the most part. For those familiar with the genre there were no real surprises, but they never let the plot or action slow down. During Nam Gi Jun's lengthy revenge rampage they kept the “hero’s” plot armor to a minimum until the last two episodes. If nothing else, it was good to see So Ji Sub in a drama once again.Normally, I’d give a mini-plot summary about now, but this was a revenge drama so despite the twists and turns it was quite simple. Retired gangster Nam Gi Jun is called back into action when his brother is murdered. Nam Gi Seok was slated to be the JuWoon successor so there were plenty of people with an ax to grind. And grind and slash numerous characters did with axes, knives, bats, iron bars, with plenty of old school action. Gi Jun discovers how deep the treachery runs as he pounds through the bodies with his mighty fists. He could have given One Punch Man a run for his money.
So Ji Sub didn’t have to give an emotionally nuanced performance. He did what he needed to do, look fierce and bloody as he fought gangs of men. Mercy for None was a who’s who of ahjussis and harabeojis. The old boys gave a master class in acting. Sadly, there were younger actors who lacked the gravitas and menace required for their roles. With the exception of a female lawyer with a couple of quick scenes there were no women in this world, no molls, no nurses, no mobster mothers, this was all testosterone all the time.
The fights were well choreographed, especially for a drama. They contained more gore than your average Kdrama so if you are squeamish be prepared. This drama was an 8.5 for me until the end of episode four and then the “twists” and “surprises” began to weigh it down. Gi Jun’s fearsome abilities tread over into the supernatural as the drama wore on which took away from it. Despite only being 7 episodes long, it could have been cut to 5 or 6 at the most.
I desperately wanted to hold a class for these career gangsters. Things Every Bad Guy Needs to Know: 1) Round-house kicks are pretty but useless in a fight. 2) Never bring just your fists to a machete/gun/bat fight. 3) Never leave your weapon behind---there will always be another fight. 4) When using a gun, never let your enemy get too close. 5) Never trust someone who works for the enemy no matter how much you used to like them. 6) Be nice to the hired help. It could save your life. 7) Never turn your back on your enemy. Never. Ever. Like ever.
If you are looking for character development or innovative storytelling this is not that drama. If you are wanting to get an action and revenge fix with an easy on the eyes protagonist, you might want to give this drama a try.
13 June 2025
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the only thing worth watching the series is the actor "Choo Young-Woo" the rest is worthless
First of all, I give a very good rating to the young and promising actor "Choo Young-Woo" who, as always, did not disappoint me with his acting and talent. He portrays a character different from what he has already shown, and performs with professionalism and great talent, playing the role of a prosecutor ready to do anything to rise to the top...As for the rest, frankly, I wouldn't give a good rating for this series, which I've been waiting for for a long time...
It may be based on a webtoon, and webtoons are often exaggerated, but this... it's too much...
This series is a waste of time. I was bored with the same ridiculous fight scenes and with the main actor "So Ji Sub," who always has the same expression throughout the series, with mediocre and talentless acting, and who, as always, manages to beat dozens of opponents in front of him to reach the end of each fight where he's barely scratched...
Honestly, I watched it because it features my favorite actor, Choo Young-Woo.
At first, I started watching the first few episodes, only to end up watching only the scenes with Choo Young-Woo.
I'm disappointed with the series, even though I suspected I wouldn't like it when I saw the trailer with its exaggerated fight scenes...
Anyway, to sum up, I won't finish the entire series. If I watch it again, it will just be to see the scenes with Choo Young-Woo again ...
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When Vengeance Strikes, There’s Mercy for None
Mercy for None is a short yet intense thrill ride that delivers non-stop action and keeps you hooked from start to finish. With only 7 episodes, it’s a perfect binge-watch that doesn’t waste a single moment.So Ji Sub absolutely dominates this drama. His performance is powerful, calculated, and relentless—he truly feels like the John Wick of Korean dramas. The title Mercy for None fits the tone of the show perfectly. It’s gritty, fast-paced, and packed with edge-of-your-seat moments.
The supporting cast also holds their own and adds depth to the story, but let’s be honest—this is So Ji Sub’s show, and he owns it. From intense fight scenes to cold, quiet stares that say more than words ever could, his presence commands the screen.
If you're into sleek action, revenge-driven plots, and badass lead characters, this one is a must-watch. No mercy, no fillers—just pure entertainment.
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This review may contain spoilers
Mercy For None is a drama worthy of its title.. And it stays true to the genre.. With just seven episodes the pacing felt spot on.. Not too long, not too short.. Just the right amount to tell the story and give us those brutal bloody scenes and introduce us to Nam Gi Jun, the limping protagonist who is still more powerful than anyone else in the drama.. And I Absolutely loved the noir theme at the beginning.. Loved Lee Jun Hyuk’s vibe and attitude.. It really suited him.. He should definitely take on more roles like this.. Not cameos but a full fledged action drama or movie..
So Ji Sub absolutely nailed his role.. It’s a shame we don’t get to see more of him these days..
The story isn’t anything new.. Just your usual revenge setup.. The hero avenging his brother's death.. There’s a twist but its not hard to spot early on because like I said, the usual story.. Its obvious who is the brain behind everything.. Still, the script was well executed and the entire cast did an outstanding job " Dying "..
There were two deaths that were absolutely satisfying to watch, Gong Myung’s and Choo Young Woo’s.. The drama was good but I did have one major disappointment.. In most dramas, you meet the most powerful villain at the end.. The one who actually challenges the protagonist.. But here Nam Gi Jun takes down all the strong ones early and in the end he is left facing a wuss who really didn’t feel worthy of being the final villain.. It left the climax feeling a bit underwhelming.. Especially considering our ML dies after that..
Overall, Mercy For None is a solid drama that achieves exactly what it sets out to be.. A gritty, bloody revenge thriller.. Definitely a must watch if you are into the genre...
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Brutal Action with Bloody Style
I aim to keep my reviews short, spoiler-free, and focused on the key points to help you decide if a drama is worth your time. I never fast-forward and always strive to watch the entire series to give a fair and thorough perspective.Mercy for None is what you’d get if John Wick ditched the guns for close combat and melee weapons, and turned the gore up several notches. It's brutal, relentless, and leans fully into the one-man-army formula. Expect your typical genre tropes: a near-unkillable hero with thick plot armor, drawn-out fight scenes where characters hesitate just long enough to get themselves killed, and a high body count.
It’s not without flaws (the usual logic gaps of action revenge flicks are present), but if you can look past those, it delivers a solid, bloody ride. The quiet, brooding lead carries the film well, and there’s definite satisfaction in watching the worst characters meet well-earned deaths.
It’s well-acted and worth a try if you're into stylized violence and gritty revenge tales. Still, it had the potential to be more than just another genre entry if it had addressed some of its more obvious clichés.
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A lovely quick hit of handsome men in suits with lots of blood!!!
As an action fanatic, shows like this are perfect for me ... not too long, good enough story and great action sequences. This one has it all, from the brooding, almost super hero like male lead, to the somewhat hidden (predictable) villain. I loved the pace, the fights, and ultimate lesson ... evil can only get away for so long and whatever a man sows, that he will reap.So, sow the time to watch this, I recommend it!
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