User reviews

Mercy for None hooks with its gritty vibe and relentless pacing. The noir tone and emotional weight make the brutal, lived-in world feel urgent and real. While some early subplots are muddled, the narrative gains clarity and impact as it unfolds.

So Ji-sub shines in a magnetic return, embodying Nam Gi-jun with raw rage and quiet grief. His physical intensity and emotional depth define the series, making his comeback unforgettable.

The lack of a female lead fits the hyper-masculine, gangland setting, where vulnerability is danger. It's a bold, thematic choice.

Stylish, visceral, and tight; this is Korean action noir at its boldest.

I really enjoyed this show. I appreciate how succinct it told the story, nothing was dragged out. It has phenomenal fighting and interesting/new (to me) camera work. The only reason why I don't give it a 10 is because I liked other shows a tad bit more. Specifically: "Bloodhounds" and "Worst of Evil".

Both shows also have amazing fighting, but Bloodhounds and Worst of Evil have more fleshed-out stories (even if Bloodhounds retcon'd near the end due to a scandal involving one of its actors). Mercy For None's storytelling cuts out just a little bit too much, enough so that I was wishing I cared more about the main character.

Nevertheless, it's an exciting show. Totally still worth the time. Highly recommend.

From brutal hand-to-hand combat to wielding his signature baseball bat and mastering blade fights, Bones crack, bodies fly, and blood stains the walls of many villains' hideaways. So Ji Sub delivers an electrifying performance that sets a new standard for action storytelling.

Mercy for None lands its blood-soaked action sequences and sufficiently surprising plotting to stay engaging.

-The series maintains the high-energy melee flair that the best South Korean thrillers have, with stellar fight choreography.

-The duration of the episodes was good, each of which is between 30-40 mins long, which I found super refreshing. It doesn't make you bored.

-In conclusion, this show is only for fans of action and bloody violence.

Episode 1 Impressions

I'm going to start this off by saying if you've liked any violent Korean revenge thrillers in the past two decades than Mercy for None will probably be your cup of tea.

The fight choreography is crisp and bloody with punchy SFX for each punch. Every hit connects with intensity and the camera moves around enough to keep fight scenes entertaining instead of disorienting.

The plot is not too bad either. It seems to be your typical run of the mill Korean revenge setup. Something happens that motivates an over powered character to want to exact revenge. It doesn't really bother me that much because I came for the action. The story is good enough to hold your attention, albeit a little confusing for the first 30 minutes.

The production design, cinematography are all top notch and I was surprised by the production values. Varied locations and slick cinematography help to make sure you eyes are never really board.

Mercy for None is great so far after one episode. The premiere did a good job hooking me and now I want to see what is going to happen next. If you're here for the action I don't think you will leave disappointed. As long as you can suspend your disbelief from time to time, but that is part of the fun!

This drama is worth watching and i really recommend it for you to give it a go and watch it. Its not disappointed.

It just that i think geum-son character is a bit off..i mean being a prosecutor , u need to be sharp and precise with every action you did and word u've said. But Geum-son did not even have a back up plan to defend and protect himself as a villain lol.

I mean why did he put 100% percent trust towards Mr kim knowing he can betray ur father. Obviously he can do the same to u 🤣😅

I honestly think the mistake that geum-son did is so silly and dumb. You are a prosecutor yet u don't even have a doubt that Mr kim could betray him by recording their conversation lol

If you want to be a leader and conquer the organization, you should think one step ahead isn't it? 🙃😉

Yes the amount of actors is STUPID yo I mean it really, I just want to see what's face the Netflix Procurement or Accounting and Finance team made when the director said "Yes I want them all, any problem?"

Action sequences was great, some part with too much CGI blood but meh not that weird.

The lighting was great though I love the tone which actually reflects the mood quite well.

The dialogue also great, some of plot twists, not that surprising but it was well written. The wording was great and actors did it well got me tearing abit, can make my heart heavy.

Overall, I bloody love this series I which it could be longerrrr!!!!!

The English title, Mercy for None, is an accurate description for the show because Nam Gi Jun shows no mercy for those that played a part in his brother's death. The plot itself is simple and it wasn't hard to guess who was the real mastermind behind Nam Gi Seok's murder, but it was still fun to watch NGJ demolish everyone as a one-man army. The fight scenes were violent because the preferred choice of weapon was anything but a gun, which allowed the characters to be more brutal with their attacks. As a character, NGJ wasn't very compelling (but then again, I don't think he's meant to be) but his single mindedness for revenge was admirable.

I think I've finally found my new all-time favorite thriller. The action is non-stop, and there are so many crazy twists that it keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time.

Mercy for None is definitely an action-packed thrill ride. If you like bloody, brutal fights, you'll love this show. It's not for the faint of heart, for sure, but I couldn't take my eyes off of my screen for a second. It's one of those shows where the plot unfolds gradually, but there are enough hints and clues to keep you guessing. The pacing is so perfect. There are plenty of tense moments, and lots of quick cuts, but the show never feels too hectic.

The fight choreography is absolutely incredible. I never thought anything could top the martial arts in John Wick, but I was seriously impressed with the fight scenes in Mercy for None. Every single one of the fights felt believable and realistic, and the stunts and visual effects were perfect. I also like that they put a ton of creativity into the fights, and the action sequences are designed to blend into the narrative really well, so they don't feel completely out of place.

Plus, it's fun to watch So Ji-Sub kicking butt and looking so dapper while doing it. He's been in some other action flicks, so I already knew he could act, but I wasn't expecting his performance in this one to be on another level. He delivers the lines convincingly and never misses a beat, and the fight scenes are so detailed.

I thought Mercy for None was a bit of an odd choice to cast So Ji-Sub. He plays a former gangster, which isn't exactly a typical character for him, and yet he does it perfectly.

Overall this was a great kdrama, it was intriguing and fun to watch. Revenge-wise it was chefs kiss and very satisfying. The ending was also good and fitting. However, it could've been a much better and an award-winning kdrama if the writing was better.

In my opinion this is what the story lacked:

• normal scenes/flasbacks between the brothers
• scenes of the main leads life, to feel more connected to him
• the prosecutor should've been more intelligent, focused on details and quick thinking. He seemed like a child who had a plan, that happened to workout but once he got the power he went down right away. A prosecutor is usually someone who is quick-witted and sharp.

• the fight scenes were unrealistic. Fighting hundreds of guys at the same time on your own while being wounded and stabbed .. is unrealistic.

Cast was great especially So Ji-seob. Kudos to him.

Well its not that good actually, you could perhaps say the first half is pretty good but the second is just a waste of time, felt like the material ended somewhere in the middle, think this could have worked out better as a movie

The story is ok and acting is good , the production is great, fighting scenes are stunning, but as usual in this kind of movies it dont take so much time before it gets boring, same same again and again and its so sad when they had something good in the beginning

First half worked so well, smart and well done, second half, same wheeltrack that go on repeat and made me just tired.

I binge-watched this series in one sitting and absolutely loved it from beginning to end. Each episode kept me on the edge of my seat-there was never a dull moment! The fight scenes were spectacular, and the cast was truly an all-star lineup. I really appreciated how the story unfolded and wrapped up; it perfectly matched the title.

While many have likened it to a Korean version of John Wick, I believe So Ji Sub truly delivered in his role-he completely nailed it and left us wanting more. As a long-time fan of So Ji Sub who had been eagerly waiting for his return to the screen, I can confidently say this series marks a fantastic comeback for him. I'm excited to see what he takes on next!

Mercy for None released on 2025 limited series is really next level! I really enjoyed it a lot! I complete watching it in one day because, this series had that much intense! In this series you will see much and much violence! I could give this series easily max stars and why i did not give mentioned,

the first thing for giving less stars is

• in this series there is too much bad words uses and the second thing is
• the Korean people's are really everyone face and name like same specially in this series it was too much i really got confused so many times! It is not their problem actually haha!

And the third reason is

• this series story was bit confusing!

Good side of this series is- Story are based on brothers which I really liked There is no girlie things in this series

20 June 2025 Watched H Dubbed On Netflix Watched 1 season and 7 episodes (Limited Series)

Broo... this series starts great.

But at episode 3-4 i starts getting bored and even fell asleep before episode 5.. because of the stretch and the reveal of bad guy and hidden agenda.

Meh. This is why all the revenge 1 man army story are great with movies. Like john wick or your typical tamil action movies.

I would've rate this series 8 or 9 stars if it's just 4 or 5 episodes and take away the "real bad guy" reveal because the plot twist behind it kinda dumb.

Oh still not enough char. I dont wanna spoil it. But really..are the koreans official really that..sigh..anyway i think i met the min req now.

"Mercy to None" wears its John Wick influences on its sleeve, but quickly carves out its own brutal, stylish identity ( this is what called inspiration not copy like other movie ) At its core, the series follows ex-assassin Rayna Cross as she's dragged back into the underworld she thought she'd left behind-an arc that will feel familiar to fans of Wick's single-minded pursuit of vengeance. Yet where "Mercy to None" truly shines is in the precision and inventiveness of its fight choreography and the depth of its world building.

What Works

Next-Level Fight Sequences: From quiet, tension-soaked close-quarters combat to sprawling, neon-lit warehouse brawls, every punch, kick, and weapon-swap is impeccably staged. The camera moves with purpose, giving just enough coverage to appreciate the skill on display without confusing the eye.

Rich Story Building: Unlike the comparatively lean narrative of a feature film, this series takes advantage of its episodic format. Side characters-from a cunning fixer to a burned-out mentor-are given room to breathe, deepening the stakes and making Rayna's journey more resonant.

Atmospheric World: A rain-splashed cityscape of gleaming skyscrapers and shadowy back-alleys feels lived-in and dangerous. The show's score-an edgy electronic pulse-underscores every heartbeat of suspense.

Where It Stumbles

Familiar Foundations: The opening setup leans heavily on the "one last job" trope, and viewers looking for radical plot twists may find the first two episodes a bit predictable.

Pacing Hiccups: A mid-season episode devoted almost entirely to exposition slows momentum; a tighter edit there would have sustained the series' breakneck energy.

Verdict "Mercy to None" doesn't just echo John Wick-it builds on that blueprint with richer characters and fight scenes that outshine their cinematic counterpart. If you crave well-crafted action and a darker, more immersive dive into an assassin's world, this series earns its stripes-8 out of 10 for delivering a vengeance thriller that's both familiar and fiercely original.

This series starts great. But up til episode 3 or 4 i kinda be like. Bruh they should've make this movie instead of series. I fell asleep at episode 4 and didnt even bother care bout the "real bad guy" it just take away the awesomeness of earlier episode. By the end of the series my early rating of 8-9 fell down to 6. Sigh now i know why all the revenge one man power army better stick with movies instead of series; like john wick or any typical tamil action movie. If you stretch it out to make 7hours series it lowered the rating a lot. Keep it simple we watch it for the action and like the revenge, not complicated non-sensical plot twist. That's not even that good. Sigh.

"Fists fly, blades slash, and a bloodied baseball bat crashes through bone - this is action at its rawest and most visceral. Every fight scene in the film is a brutal ballet of survival, choreographed with precision and executed with unrelenting force. The hand-to-hand combat is gritty and realistic, while the use of melee weapons adds a savage edge that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This isn't stylized violence for spectacle - it's grounded, dirty, and hits like a freight train. If you're a fan of bone-crunching brawls and close-quarters chaos, this one delivers in spades." It all ends in death.

There are good Korean series, but this is not even among the top 100 of them. Acting? Terrible. Fighting scenes? Nonsensical. Characters ? Lame and unbeliable, especially the protagonist. Poor acting. Poor everything. As a non-Korean spectator, I understood why people's names have to be said innumerable times: everybody looks the same (referring to the badboys)

I really loved non nonsense show, the action genere is clean cut, without any distributed slope, its simple ruthless honest as it progress, its definitely a Korean John kick series. For a simple continuous watch, which keeps viewer interested in complete one go watch, cinematography choreography of action sense is flawless there is no doubt this is one of the best action series of 2025, a simple known revenge story which gets better with each episode. With satisfying ending, there is no way to ignore the master action piece like this, its good action for limited series. With good story and well based acting.

When I first saw the preview, I thought it would be just like any other Asian kung fu finding kind of show. Boy was I wrong, this show is well written, well acted it probably one of the best production I've seen in a long time. Lots of twists, lots of turns, when you cheer for someone, you realize you're cheering for the wrong person. It's very violent but done in a tasteful way. If you can say that. This is what storytelling is all about. This has to be seven episode episodes. It can't be a movie there's so much going on once you watch it from the very first episode you can't wait. You have to watch them all. This is the best TV/movie the last five years. The dubbing is excellent. That's one thing that's such a good job compared to every other streaming service. They actually spend money getting real actors to give emotion to give context to the words so that way you can enjoy it without even thinking that they actually don't speak any English. I love.

Every episode is intense and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The plot is a masterclass in revenge storytelling-smart, gripping, and full of unexpected twists that hit hard and leave you wanting more. The actors deliver solid performances, fully embodying their roles and bringing real emotional depth to each scene. Korean cinema has truly evolved, showing incredible growth with every new release. The direction is sharp, the pacing is tight, and the production quality is top-notch. It's clear that a lot of thought and passion went into every detail. If you're into high-stakes drama with powerful emotions, clever surprises, and a strong narrative, this is an absolute must-watch.

True to the source material, amazing production, cinematography and acting. I mean it was clear that it's going to be a banger the moment I saw the stacked cast. I loved the tension and the fight sequences, again brilliantly acted.

7 episodes felt right but I kind of wish we got more, I just couldn't get enough of it. They managed to tell a cohesive story without it getting boring, the fights were brutal but not too over the top and still incredibly satisfying, pacing was great and I didn't feel like it's being dragged out or rushed at any part of the show.

Loved So Ji Sub in this, he truly owned the character and executed the bloody revenge perfectly. I see people saying he reminds them of John Wick but I personally got Kazuma Kiryu from Yakuza vibes. Just an absolute charismatic badass.

Loved the fight choreography in this. Reminded me of the fighting style of the main character from the video game series "Yakuza" from Ryu Ga Gotoku. Would love to see more series or movies that have these style of fights. The story is good and has some surprises.

The story at the end was a bit too fast, I feel like it could have been longer. I feel like some characters could have gotten a bit more scenes so that the viewers would know more information about them. Some of them just several moments. But my feeling may be wrong as this series was based on the webtoon and the producers would not like to change the original story. If it was like that, I fully approve of not changing the story.

All in all, if you like action and fighting, this is a must watch.