Mercy for None

NO DRAG OUT ONLY ACTION

those who love fighting thrill
and fast paced show will definitely love it
and as title say there is no mercy at all.

there nothing more you need to know watching it would be better choice.

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Gripping but without substance

Mercy For None was a series that caught my eye due to its premise that promised to deliver epic fight scenes and violence. I love myself a good action series with intense fights and a setting that involves gangsters is always tempting, so it's no wonder I decided to give Mercy For None a try.

From the very first episode, Mercy For None goes straight into the point without any delay. The series makes itself more than clear: this is a story about revenge and violence. Nothing more, nothing less. I was immediately immersed in the world of crime and I was looking forward to see Gi-Jun's revenge for the death of his brother.

Despite its short length, I would say that Mercy For None handled its story decently. It was cohesive enough and while it was nothing groundbreaking, it managed to be entertaining. The episodes' length was ideal, time flew by rather quickly and it was easy for me to binge the series in two days. For the most part, the pacing was serviceable, it was fast enough but not in a way that made the story seem too rushed.

The acting was pretty good and I found myself enjoying the performances of the actors much more than I anticipated. So Ji-Sub nailed Gi-Jun's stoic and ruthless character. He didn't get to showcase a variety of emotions but just from his eyes and expressions, you could sense his fury and thirst for vengeance. His gaze was cold, dead even and it perfectly captured the character. Even the stern and collected tone of his voice was enough to command my attention and make me feel uneasy, for I couldn't predict the lengths his plan for revenge would reach. Aside from this aspect of his character, there were some small moments where he was allowed to break Gi-Jun's cold facade. The scenes between Gi-Jun and his brother had a calm, domestic vibe and you could see from Gi-Jun's soft look how much he cared about him. Although this type of scenes weren't a lot, Ji-Sub's micro expressions and body language were enough to convey Gi-Jun's grief and tiredness.

Huh Joon-Ho and Ahn Kil-Kang delivered two good performances as Lee Ju-Woon and Koo Bong-San respectively. Their dynamic was very interesting to observe and so were the differences between them. While Lee Ju-Woon was calmer and could keep his cool, Koo Bong-San was more fierce and expressive. Both delivered decent performances as one would expect from veteran actors like them.

I was especially amazed by Gong Myung's performance as Koo Jun-Mo, Bong-San's son. I had watched him for the first time in Extreme Job, where he played the role of the rookie and kinda naive Detective Jae-Hoon. Well, in Mercy For None his character couldn't have been more different. A bratty and arrogant son of a gang leader, who thought too highly of himself and who believed he could come on top by commanding others the way he wanted. He was a scene stealer, I was both annoyed and intrigued by him. I wanted to punch him and see more of him at the same time. I really hope he'll get to play the villain again, I seriously wish we had gotten more of him.

As someone would expect, one of the strongest aspects of the series (if not the strongest) was the fighting scenes. From the moment I started watching the first episode, I knew I was in for an intense experience. And I was right. The direction and choreography were very impressive, my eyes were glued on the screen and I was so excited to the point I would move even closer to my screen in order to not miss anything. I really liked Gi-Jun's fighting style. Raw, bloody and fierce, it hold my attention and I couldn't help but root for him. Yes, I admit that at times the way he won against all these thugs was kinda unrealistic, but the series made it work. I also appreciate how it was shown that he was getting hurt and needed medical help to continue with his revenge, at least the writers didn't make him come off unarmed after facing all of these people.

Mercy For None delivered exactly what it promised to. It never attempted to hide behind its finger and pretend to be a deep drama. It promises you action and you get exactly that.

But was this enough? Hmmm, well, not so much.

While I certainly had an overall good time, once I was finished watching the series, I couldn't help but feel empty. Throughout the seven episodes, I was never able to feel any type of connection with the characters or the story. Of course I was curious to see the lengths Gi-Jun would go to in order to avenge his brother but I didn't hold any strong feelings about him. Which is not necessarily bad. Sometimes you just need something thrilling to watch while sitting back and enjoying yourself. But me, personally, I prefer my dramas with more substance.

I would put Mercy for None in the same category with dramas like Vigilante and Trigger: action packed with interesting premise, yet lackluster execution. While Mercy For None does not offer an extraordinary script, there were more opportunities to make the story and the characters more engaging. First and foremost, Gi-Jun's character could have been explored more. I totally understand the purpose his dark and stern attitude served, but the writers could have invested more in his character. It would have been nice to see him being more expressive. His actions obviously spoke louder than words but I wanted to see more of his emotions. He came across as too bland at times, which again, it fits his character but it didn't leave any room for development.

Another aspect that should have been explored more was the dynamics between the characters. The series tried to highlight the relationship between Lee Ju-Won, Koo Bong-San and their sons but it was done poorly. I would have particularly preferred to see more of Koo Bong-San and Jun-Mo's dynamic. Jun-Mo was obviously a brat who wanted to have his way but based on the few interactions he had with his father, it was clear that the writers tried to build the basis of a complex father-son relationship, that went nowhere. Jun-Mo was desperate to gain his father's approval and be taken more seriously. Bong-San on the other hand, cared for his son, even though he treated him harshly. It would have been nice to see more of them and observe how Bong-San's treatment towards Jun-Mo shaped up his character.

As for Ju-Won and Geum-Son, their relationship was even more underdeveloped. Geum-Son as a character lacked depth and his motivations were too bland. His actions and ambition steamed from his father's treatment but the writers didn't bother to highlight their dynamic more. Geum-Son was interesting to look at in the last episodes since the first ones focused on Jun-Mo but apart from that, he didn't offer anything special.

But my biggest disappointment was the relationship between the two brothers, Gi-Jun and Gi-Seok. What did the writers think in order to sideline their dynamic so much? I can barely recall any meaningful moments between them. When you're writing a story about revenge for the death of an important character, you are supposed to show the relationship between them and the main hero. I do not deny Gi-Jun's grief and I could understand how much he cared for Gi-Seok. But the series should have done a much better job to establish their relationship. We should have seen more of them caring and protecting each other. Some flashbacks would have added more layers in their characters and enhance the emotional depth of the tragedy that came with Gi-Seok's death. It is such a pity that they were so overlooked by the script, especially since both Ji-Sub and Jun-Hyuk are very good actors and had good chemistry in the few scenes we got.

It's more than clear that the team behind Mercy For None put more effort in the visuals and technical elements than the story. While the result was not bad, good action sequences are not enough to make up for a poor story that could have offered more. That being said, this is just my mere opinion. While I do not consider Mercy For None as a masterpiece, it did its job to entertain me. I strongly recommend it for those who are in need of a fast-paced, action heavy drama but if you want more than that, I'm afraid you might get disappointed.

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Absolutely Brutal Revenge Rampage - So Good

From episode the first up til the end, this was a revenge rampage of singular focus and it was all the better for it! This show maintained all of the bravado and pulse pounding action. I have loved every second of every minute of it! There is no nuance here and there was no need to be. The series states exactly what is is Mercy for None! The cast was fantastic too! However, the younger cast was no match for the veterans! So ji Sub, Lee Jun Hyuk, Huh Joon Ho all superb! Lee Bum Soo was great comic relief!

I actually, may read the webtoon to see what was left on the drawing room floor! This was such a quick, fun binge I recommend to all.

On a side note; the amount of hotness in this series was off the charts. Here's looking at you Jung Gun Joo! Please give this man some lead roles!

8/1/25

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Mercy for None: An Unforgiving Dive into Darkness

This series is simply brutal! For fans of the genre, it's definitely worth checking out — the action scenes are incredibly intense. I started watching full of excitement, but honestly, I ended up feeling more exhausted than the protagonist himself, who somehow manages to endure absolutely everything. It's poetic license, so fair enough. The mission gets accomplished and that’s it — but let’s be real, we all know this kind of story never truly ends. The performances are impressive, especially Choo Youngwoo, who once again proves just how versatile he is. The entire cast delivers a remarkable performance — really well done! 💣💥

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“Mercy for None” is dark, emotional, and quietly intense.

It’s not your usual action drama — it’s slower, heavier, and deeply personal. So Ji-sub gives a haunting performance as a man broken by grief and driven by revenge. You can feel the weight he carries in every step, every stare.

The fights aren’t over-the-top; they’re brutal and real, with consequences. The drama builds slowly, letting emotions simmer beneath the surface — regret, loss, betrayal. It’s the kind of show that doesn’t rush, but hits you when you least expect it.

If you want mindless fun, skip it. But if you’re in the mood for a painful, grounded story with meaning — this one sticks with you.

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Better be ready for some blood

It's been a while since I watched a gangster fight K-drama. This one was pretty solid, with intense fight scenes and brutal gore. Half the time, blood was flying everywhere.
What I really liked was how the betrayal was portrayed—it felt raw and impactful. But on the other hand, I found it funny that despite being in power for 11 years, the lackeys and lower subordinates didn’t even have guns at the beginning. And when assassination attempts happened, no one really had firearms. It was only near the end that some guns showed up—and even then, they were pretty useless.

Overall, I really enjoyed this drama. It stayed focused and on point the whole time. That final line hit hard: “Once you sit on the chair of power but can’t hold it, it all seems meaningless.” That one had real depth.

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Action, action, action

If you are a fan action, visceral, bone crunching, artery spraying action, then this show is for you. It’s dark and gritty and the tension stays high, but the action is the highlight. It’s non-stop, beginning to end. The plot might not be original, but it is well done and So Ji Sub’s larger than life presence grounds the show and makes it all work. Huge kudos to the stunt team, choreographers, and action directors, they did brilliant work. And the cinematography is amazing! Absolutely gorgeous! This show was an amazing ride and I enjoyed every minute of it.

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A Gripping Ride from Start to Finish – “Mercy to None” Will Leave You Breathless!

I just finished watching Mercy to None, and wow… I’m still recovering emotionally. This K-drama completely caught me off guard in the best way possible. From the first episode, it pulls you in with intense storytelling, a dark atmosphere, and characters that are anything but predictable.

The lead actor absolutely nailed the role – his transformation from a quiet civil servant to a cold, calculated vigilante is chilling and heartbreaking at the same time. You can literally feel his pain and desperation in every scene. And the female lead? Don’t even get me started. She’s not your typical K-drama heroine; she’s fierce, flawed, and you can’t help but root for her even when she’s making morally gray choices.

The plot twists are insane. Just when you think you’ve figured something out, the show flips the script completely. There were moments I had to pause just to process what happened. And the cinematography? Chef’s kiss. The way they play with shadows and silence makes the whole series feel like a high-quality thriller movie.

I also appreciated how Mercy to None didn’t shy away from the darker sides of human nature. It’s not a feel-good drama, but it’s thought-provoking and brutally honest about justice, revenge, and redemption. The last two episodes had me on the edge of my seat, biting my nails and yelling at my screen.

If you like K-dramas that are gritty, suspenseful, and emotionally heavy with complex characters, Mercy to None is a must-watch. It’s not your typical love story – it’s a psychological ride that’ll stick with you long after the credits roll.

Rating: 9.5/10 – Not for the faint of heart, but absolutely unforgettable.

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John Wick X Taken

I had to say it.. This drama is giving me major John Wick and Taken (Bryan Mills) vibes 💯

I will find you and I will kill you..
You killed John Wick's dog.. that was John Wick's dog.. and then he beat his son for killing John Wick's dog and taking his car..
All of the action 💯
Everything is John Wick and Taken combined and I AM LOVING IT 👏🏻
It is high time we needed our own John Wick/Bryan Mills.. I hope they continue this because So Ju Sub is made for this type of role..
I am loving it so far.. and although I have compared it with 2 of the best movies and characters in Hollywood, still do not have skyrocketing expectations.. it is different in a lot of ways..

Also, the most aptly titled drama..
truly..
Mercy For None 💯😅🤌🏻

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