Netflix gangster drama hailed 'the new John Wick' rockets up the charts as fans rave over 'crazy fight scenes and bloody action'
A Netflix gangster drama hailed 'the new John Wick ' has rocketed up the charts, with fans raving over its 'crazy fight scenes and bloody action'.
Mercy For None, which hit the streamer on June 6, follows a former gangster (So Ji-sub) who returns to the criminal underworld seeking revenge after his brother is murdered.
The South Korean seven-part series is based on a webtoon - a digital comic, written for reading on a smartphone - called Plaza Wars: Mercy For None, by O Se-hyung and Kim Gyun-tae.
It has clearly already made an impact on Netflix fans, as the programme has surged through the charts to make it into the platform's top ten TV shows.
The show was released on the same day as Ballerina, the spin-off from Keanu Reeves ' John Wick action film franchise, starring Ana de Armas - and fans took to X to say it rivals the major action movie series.
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It has clearly already made an impact on Netflix fans, as the programme has surged through the charts to make it into the platform's top ten TV shows
One user said of the noir series: 'Mercy For None was an insane ride.
'A very fast-paced, bloody, action-packed thriller drama with great performances from the ensemble cast and intense crazy fight scenes. It was so good!'
Another added: 'It feels like I'm watching a Korean version of John Wick but I love the crazy fights, blood everywhere and revenge!
'And honestly, I'm loving every second of it.'
Someone else commented: 'Mercy For None is a compelling addition to the Korean noir genre, featuring a standout performance by So Ji-sub and a storyline rich in suspense and emotional intensity.'
Netflix news site Tudum explained further about the magnetic protagonist: 'Eleven years after going into hiding, an ex-gangster returns to Seoul's criminal [underbelly] to find out the truth about his brother's death - and get revenge.
'His weapon of choice? A baseball bat.'
The critics were just as impressed with the pulpy action series as the fans.
The show was released on the same day as Ballerina, the spin-off from Keanu Reeves ' John Wick action film franchise, starring Ana de Armas - and fans took to X to say it rivals the major action movie series
The critics were just as impressed with the pulpy action series as the fans
Film news site Collider said: 'Mercy For None lands its blood-soaked action sequences and sufficiently surprising plot to stay engaging, alongside a solid set of central performances...
'Bones crack, bodies fly and blood stains the walls of many villains' hideaways.'
K-pop news site Soompi added: 'From brutal hand-to-hand combat to wielding his signature baseball bat and mastering blade fights, So Ji-sub delivers an electrifying performance that sets a new standard for action storytelling.'
Streaming review site Decider said it was well worth viewers' time: 'Stream it. The action and revenge story in Mercy For None is enough to keep up watching and the episode are well-paced.'
But it did also note: 'We really need to see more context about the rivalry between the gangs in order to really get invested in this story.'
Mercy For None joins Netflix's extensive catalogue of South Korean dramas, many of which have proved highly popular with fans.
Another of them, Our Unwritten Seoul, which hit the streamer last month, got viewers 'really hooked', gushing 'it's my favourite show of 2025'.
Netflix's synopsis of the ten-part series reads: 'Twin sisters, whose similarities end with their looks, swap identities amid personal struggles - embarking on a journey to rediscover love and life.'
Netflix's synopsis of the ten-part series reads: 'Twin sisters, whose similarities end with their looks, swap identities amid personal struggles - embarking on a journey to rediscover love and life'
From as early as the release of episode two, fans rushed to discussion website Reddit to praise the show, saying how much they enjoyed it.
One said: 'I can already tell this drama will be my new 2025 favorite. I was a tad worried it would be too depressing, but it has a good sense of hopefulness and humor that I'm looking forward to.'
'Just finished episode two and this is my favourite drama now. Sometimes it just clicks. My favourite part is the different perspectives of the twins.
'You can really tell them apart and I love Park Bo Young as an actress, she really has a depth that conveys this.'
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