Sans merci

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!

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.

"Mercy for None" is a lean, stylish South Korean revenge thriller that wastes no time getting to the point. Across seven tense episodes, it delivers brutal, well-staged fight scenes, a dark neo-noir atmosphere, and a simple but gripping plot that keeps you hooked. So Ji-sub gives a strong, grounded performance as a man dragged back into the violent world he tried to leave behind. If you enjoy fast-paced, gritty action in the vein of John Wick, this one's worth the binge.

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 binged this over two nights, and usually if the show doesn't catch me with the first episode or two, I won't finish it. This one grabbed me and pulled me in - you don't even have to understand Korean culture to like it. Nam Gi-Jun is a retired mob enforcer / killer, but when his kid brother is killed, he returns with a vengeance. Plenty of violence and bloodshed (they're not shy about the blood, either, the stabbings and the splatter), and Gi-Jun is an unstoppable force, just like Wick. He's not immune or immortal, and the whys of his brother's death come out slowly, but it's good. Probably not something I'd watch again, but it was worth it.