The drama 'Mercy for None' takes the original characters and universe but spins them into a freshly adapted work. The meaning of 'Mercy for None' itself has been expanded. Unlike the original's depiction of a square in front of the National Assembly in Seoul where tough guys clashed, in the drama series, 'Mercy for None' represents the world of two major organizations, 'Juwon' and 'Bongsan', and the rule that 'whoever messes with the other must pay a price'.
Eleven years ago, Nam Ki-joon (So Ji-sub) promised never to return to Mercy for None after changing the fate of the two organizations and vanished after severing his own Achilles tendon. However, upon hearing the suspicious news of his brother Ki-seok's (Lee Jun-hyuk) death, Ki-joon returns to the world of Mercy for None to uncover the truth behind his brother's death and embarks on a merciless quest for revenge. The news of Ki-joon's return sparks a bloody war among Juwon, Bongsan, and the members of Mercy for None world, each fighting to protect what they have built.
▲ So Ji-sub: The Dream Casting Becomes Reality
'Mercy for None', rare for a webtoon, showcases a hardboiled genre with a cold and intense world of violence, earning immense love from fans. The drama unfolds all the elements that thrilled fans - Ki-joon's straightforward narrative of avenging his brother, the powerful art style, the ruthless world of violence, and the unpredictable events in the merciless Square.
Particularly noteworthy is the casting of So Ji-sub. Among fans of the original webtoon, So Ji-sub was the top fantasy casting choice for the role of Ki-joon. The dream has now become reality.
Upon hearing he was the top choice, So Ji-sub admitted feeling pressured but also grateful. "When the script came to me, I was honestly thankful. I love the noir genre that's rough and involves physical clashes, so I was really grateful to be offered the chance to choose this project," he shared.
So Ji-sub returns to the intense noir action genre for the first time in 13 years since 'A Company Man'. He portrays the character of Ki-joon with a heavy presence, expressing emotions through his gaze and actions rather than words. The cold expressions and the anger simmering in his eyes prove why he was the top choice for the role.
▲ A Stellar Cast, Including the Trendy Choo Young-woo and Special Appearances by Cha Seung-won and Lee Jun-hyuk
The cast beyond So Ji-sub is equally impressive. Their acting prowess is a given, but the perfect casting that fully embodies each character's unique atmosphere adds to the immersion.
The leaders of Mercy for None's two pillars, 'Juwon' and 'Bongsan', are played by Heo Jun-ho and Ahn Gil-kang, respectively, solidifying the core of the drama. The young actors Choo Young-woo and Gong Myung, currently in the spotlight, take on roles that challenge their previous images, presenting a fresh side to viewers.
Choo Young-woo plays Lee Geum-son, a current prosecutor and the son of Juwon's leader, who seems to walk a different path from his father, who has led the organization all his life, but harbors ambitions to overturn the order of Mercy for None. Gong Myung portrays Bongsan's heir, Gu Jun-mo, a villain with a merciless streak and a spoiled nature, demanding everything he desires. The contrast offered by Gong Myung's gentle appearance adds an intriguing twist.
Lee Beom-soo plays the role of Shim Sung-won, the head of 'EnClean', who neatly handles the dark deeds in Mercy for None. His unique portrayal of a rascal enhances the drama's entertainment value. Jo Han-chul plays Choi Sung-chul, the loyal right-hand man to Juwon's leader, depicting a cool-headed character striving to maintain balance in the unstable world of Mercy for None.
The special appearances are not to be overlooked, adding significant depth to Mercy for None's world. Cha Seung-won and Lee Jun-hyuk stand out with their substantial screen time and presence. Cha Seung-won plays Cha Young-do, a mysterious figure not aligned with either Juwon or Bongsan, keeping viewers intrigued until the end. Lee Jun-hyuk portrays Nam Ki-seok, whose questionable death brings Ki-joon back to Mercy for None and ignites the series of events. Lee Jun-hyuk also showcases high-level action acting.
'Mercy for None' is filled with characters driven by their desires, creating a dynamic energy. The explosive performances by the cast, highlighting the chemistry and charm of each character, are the biggest reasons to watch 'Mercy for None'.
▲ A Long-Awaited Return to Intense Noir Action
Nam Ki-joon, driven solely by revenge for his lost brother, expresses his narrative and emotions through action rather than words. 'Mercy for None' dedicates a significant portion to action scenes, allowing viewers to experience the thrilling essence of the noir action genre once again.
Especially, the well-crafted action sequences keep viewers glued to the screen. Although Ki-joon's actions are not speedy due to his handicap, the strength within his rough movements is palpable. Like Ma Dong-seok crushing all evil with brute force, So Ji-sub delivers refreshing action scenes with unyielding toughness.
Most importantly, Ki-joon's actions in 'Mercy for None' are imbued with 'emotion'. Despite the rough and merciless appearance of the action, it's filled with Ki-joon's deep sorrow and desire for revenge. This is the result of director Choi Sung-eun and So Ji-sub's intention to ensure that emotion is felt in Ki-joon's actions. So Ji-sub aimed to differentiate the intensity of the action, building up to a climax.
The clash of characters in 'Mercy for None', each with their own motives, showcases the essence of deep and intense noir action. Viewers can empathize with and root for Ki-joon's revenge, while enjoying the cathartic and refreshing action that the genre offers.
▲ Mixed Feelings Among Original Webtoon Fans
The drama 'Mercy for None' is not a direct visualization of the original webtoon. While it follows the original's universe and characters, it's based on the premise of "reinterpreting the original". Thus, many aspects of the setting and story have been adapted differently. However, given the legendary status of the original, fans have expressed considerable disappointment with the drama adaptation.
Fans have pointed out differences such as the treatment of 'Mercy for None's meaning in the drama, the omission of important episodes from Nam Ki-joon's past, and the disappearance or alteration of several key characters.
Regarding comparisons with the original, director Choi Sung-eun stated, "Our goal was to reflect the original's cool tone and manner as much as possible in the visuals. While maintaining the narrative centered around Ki-joon's revenge, we thought it was necessary to differentiate from the original. As the series was planned to be lengthy, we hoped to explore the stories and desires of not just Ki-joon but also his counterparts, Juwon and Bongsan. We thought it would be interesting for viewers to follow the conflicts and emotions of each character, expanding the original's scope in our reinterpretation."
While it may not satisfy original fans completely, 'Mercy for None' serves as a decent time-killer for those unfamiliar with the webtoon. Its fast-paced development and refreshing action scenes make time fly.
'Mercy for None' offers a different charm while bearing resemblance to the original. If you're looking to experience the fun of Korean noir action anew, 'Mercy for None' comes highly recommended.
[Photo= Netflix]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)