Mercy for None (Korean: 광장) is a 2025 South Korean action noir drama written by Yoo Ki-seong and directed by Choi Sung-eun. The show stars So Ji-sub, Huh Joon-ho, Ahn Gil-kang, Lee Beom-soo, Gong Myung, Choo Young-woo, and Jo Han-chul. Mixing intense action with deep emotions, Mercy for None premiered on Netflix on June 6, 2025, and quickly gained attention for its powerful story and stylish direction.
Mercy for None: Details
- Name (English): Mercy for None
- Name (Korean): 광장
- Revised Romanization: Gwangjang
- Genres: Action, noir, revenge drama
- Director: Choi Sung-eun
- Writer: Yoo Ki-seong
- Main Cast: So Ji-sub, Huh Joon-ho, Ahn Gil-kang, Lee Beom-soo, Gong Myung, Choo Young-woo, Jo Han-chul
- Country: South Korea
- Language: Korean
- Episodes: 7
Mercy for None: Plot Synopsis
Nam Gi-jun, once a gang enforcer, leaves his criminal life and younger brother behind after a tragic incident. Eleven years later, his brother Nam Gi-seok is murdered, pulling Gi-jun back into the violent world he tried to escape. Determined to find the truth, he sets out on a dangerous path of revenge.
Mercy for None: Main Cast
So Ji-sub (as Nam Gi-jun)
- Name (English): So Ji-sub
- Name (Korean): 소지섭
- Revised Romanization: So Jiseop
- Birthday: November 4, 1977
- Age: 47
- Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
- Occupation: Actor, rapper
- Active Since: 1995
Huh Joon-ho (as Lee Joo-woon)
- Name (English): Huh Joon-ho
- Name (Korean): 허준호
- Revised Romanization: Heo Junho
- Birthday: April 14, 1964
- Age: 61
- Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
- Occupation: Actor
- Active Since: 1985
- Agency: Story J Company
Ahn Gil-kang (as Gu Bong-san)
- Name (English): Ahn Gil-Kang
- Name (Korean): 안길강
- Revised Romanization: An Gilgang
- Birthday: August 24, 1966
- Age: 59
- Birth Place: South Korea
- Occupation: Actor
- Active Since: 1997
- Agency: Star Page Entertainment
Lee Beom-soo (as Sim Sung-won)
- Name (English): Lee Beom-soo
- Name (Korean): 이범수
- Revised Romanization: I Beomsu
- Birthday: October 16, 1969
- Age: 55
- Birth Place: Cheongju, South Korea
- Occupation: Actor
- Active Since: 1990
- Agency: Y1 Entertainment
Gong Myung (as Gu Jun-mo)
- Name (English): Kim Dong-hyun
- Name (Korean): 김동현
- Revised Romanization: Gim Donghyeon
- Birthday: May 26, 1994
- Age: 31
- Birth Place: Guri, South Korea
- Occupation: Actor, singer
- Active Since: 2013
- Agency: Saram Entertainment
Choo Young-woo (as Lee Geum-son)
- Name (English): Choo Young-woo
- Name (Korean): 추영우
- Revised Romanization: Chu Yeongu
- Birthday: June 5, 1999
- Age: 26
- Birth Place: South Korea
- Occupation: Actor
- Active Since: 2021
- Agency: J Wide-Company
Jo Han-chul (as Choi Sung-cheol)
- Name (English): Jo Han-chul
- Name (Korean): 조한철
- Revised Romanization: Jo Hancheol
- Birthday: June 13, 1973
- Age: 52
- Birth Place: Gangnam District, Seoul, South Korea
- Occupation: Actor
- Active Since: 1998
- Agency: Noon Company
Mercy for None: Episodes
Episode 1
After the mysterious death of Nam Gi-seok, his older brother Nam Gi-jun comes out of hiding. Determined to find the killer, he sets out to uncover the truth, no matter what it takes.
Runtime: 42 minutes
Episode 2
While searching for those behind his brother’s murder, Gi-jun discovers a dark conspiracy that began eleven years ago when he left the organization. Now, it’s time to face the rules he once created.
Runtime: 44 minutes
Episode 3
Ignoring his father’s warning, Gu Jun-mo underestimates the danger around him. Frustrated and angry, he decides to take matters into his own hands and go after Gi-jun.
Runtime: 37 minutes
Episode 4
Chairman Gu, desperate to save his son, digs deeper into the truth behind Gi-seok’s death. Meanwhile, furious over an attack on his friends, Gi-jun goes head-to-head with Jun-mo’s gang.
Runtime: 39 minutes
Episode 5
Gi-jun realizes a much bigger scheme is unfolding behind Jun-mo. Chairman Lee begins to suspect that someone else is pulling the strings. A war between the crime groups now seems inevitable.
Runtime: 42 minutes
Episode 6
Cha Young-do’s plan comes to life as Lee Geum-son rises to power. Fighting through betrayal and danger, Gi-jun pushes forward to uncover the truth behind everything.
Runtime: 45 minutes
Episode 7
With every obstacle removed, Geum-son’s final plan is ready to unfold. Can Gi-jun stop him in time, or will he fail and lose everything he’s fought for?
Runtime: 49 minutes
Mercy for None: Netflix Ranking and Viewership
According to Netflix’s official Top 10 rankings, Mercy for None (2025) had an impressive global run after its release. From June 2 to July 6, 2025, the series climbed to No. 3 worldwide and No. 1 among non-English shows. During this period, it recorded a total of 89.2 million viewing hours and 17.8 million views. Its best week was June 9–15, when it topped the non-English TV chart with 37.9 million hours watched. These results show how popular and well-received the series was around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions about Mercy for None
Is it based on a webtoon or a book?
Yes, it’s based on the webtoon Gwangjang (Plaza Wars) by Oh Se-hyeong and Kim Kyun-tae.
Will there be a second season?
No official announcement has been made about a second season yet.
Does the series show realistic gang violence?
The violence is stylized but intense, designed to reflect the brutal underworld of Korean gangs.
How has the series been received by critics?
Reviews are mixed: praised for action and So Ji-sub’s performance but criticized for heavy violence and pacing issues.
Is the ending conclusive or open-ended?
The ending is fairly conclusive, resolving major storylines, though future continuations are theoretically possible.
Can I watch Mercy for None if I’m new to K-dramas?
Yes, the story is easy to follow for first-time K-drama viewers, though it has dark themes and action scenes.
Who composed the soundtrack for the series?
The soundtrack features a mix of dark, atmospheric music to match the tension, composed by Yoo Ki-seong’s team.
Are there any famous cameo appearances in the series?
The series includes cameos from well-known Korean actors, adding depth to key supporting roles.
How has the series performed on Netflix?
It performed strongly, reaching No. 3 globally and No. 1 among non-English shows, with over 89 million viewing hours in its first five weeks.
Is the series available outside of Netflix?
No, Mercy for None is exclusive to Netflix worldwide.
Watch Mercy for None on Netflix
