The Netflix original series 'Mercy for None' is already dominating the charts even before its official release. According to the "OTT K-Original Content Viewer Evaluation Report" for the third week of May 2025, released by Consumer Insight on May 15, Gwangjang recorded a 25% awareness rate and a 16% viewer interest rate, ranking highest among upcoming content.

'Mercy for None' begins with Gi Jun (played by So Ji Sub), a former gang member who returns to the organization after the death of his younger brother, Gi Seok (played by Lee Jun Hyuk). The series unfolds as a revenge noir action drama, based on a popular Naver webtoon.

This marks So Ji Sub’s return to the action genre after 13 years since the film 'A Company Man.' A preview video released in February has surpassed 1.38 million views, and the official teaser released on the 9th has garnered over 860,000 views. Due to its intense action scenes and graphic violence, the series has been rated R or 19+.

In the world of 'Mercy for None,' there are two factions: Juwon and Bongsan. Recently released stills focus on the Juwon organization. One image shows Lee Ju Won (Heo Jun Ho) mourning Gi Seok’s death at a funeral. Juwon is the head of the organization and a guardian-like figure to the Gi brothers. Having cherished Gi Seok like a son and viewed him as a successor, his reaction to the death raises curiosity about what decisions he will make.

Heo Jun Ho, known for his nuanced performances in 'Kingdom,' 'Bloodhounds,' and 'Escape from Mogadishu,' is expected to portray the charismatic leader with depth once again.

Juwon's son, Lee Geum Seon (played by Choo Young Woo), has distanced himself from the organization. Now a prosecutor, he has chosen a different path from his family. Choo Young Woo, recognized for his performances in 'The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call' and 'Tale of Lady Ok,' and a recipient of the Baeksang Arts Award for Best New Actor, portrays Geum Seon as an ambitious and cold character outside the gang world.

Choi Sung Chul (Jo Han Chul) is Juwon’s right-hand man and the de facto operator of the Juwon organization. As Gi Jun returns and the group becomes unstable, Sung Chul takes the risk to reorganize and restore order. Jo Han Chul, who has expanded his acting spectrum through works like 'My Name Is Loh Kiwan,' 'Uprising,' and 'Gyeongseong Creature,' plays a central figure navigating the chaos of the Gwangjang underworld.

Nam Gi Seok (Lee Jun Hyuk) is the one who transformed the organization into a corporate entity after Gi Jun’s departure. Having risen to the second-in-command position within Juwon, he is mysteriously killed, triggering the revenge narrative. Lee Jun Hyuk, known for his subtle acting in 'Love Scout' and 'Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard,' captures the mood with his restrained emotions and intense gaze. 'Mercy for None' will premiere on Netflix on June 6.

Meanwhile, both the summer box office and OTT markets are gearing up for a wave of live-action adaptations of popular webtoons and web novels. Backed by established fan bases and solid narratives, these IP-based projects are drawing significant attention.

A prime example is the upcoming film 'Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint,' scheduled to release in July. Originally serialized as a web novel on Naver Series in 2018, it garnered over 200 million views and was adapted into a webtoon in 2020, which has since surpassed 2 billion views globally.

'Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint' is a fantasy action film in which Kim Dokja (played by Ahn Hyo Seop), the sole reader of a web novel that becomes reality, leads the story. Actor Lee Min Ho plays the novel's protagonist, Yoo Joong Hyuk. With a production budget exceeding 30 billion KRW, it is one of the largest tentpole films in Korean cinema.

Another high-profile IP adaptation is the drama 'The Remarried Empress,' based on a web novel of the same name and starring Shin Min Ah, Ju Ji Hoon, Lee Jong Suk, and Lee Se Young.

The web novel 'Men of the Harem' has also been confirmed for a live-action drama adaptation. Directed by Lee Eung Bok ('Mr. Sunshine,' 'Goblin') and written by Hwang Jin Young ('My Dearest'), the project is currently in development. Suzy is reportedly considering the lead role of Latil.

With content competition intensifying across both screens and streaming platforms, proven IPs are emerging as key to success. All eyes are on how 'Mercy for None' and the upcoming wave of live-action adaptations will resonate with audiences.

SEE ALSO: So Ji Sub perfectly matches Ki Jun, fans say he looks like he walked straight out of the webtoon