So Ji Sub's 'Mercy for None' continues to dominate Netflix globally, tops Korea rankings

The Netflix original series, which marked a top actor’s return to the action genre after 13 years, is gaining explosive popularity both in Korea and overseas, once again proving the global power of K-content. 

'Mercy for None,' starring So Ji Sub, continues its success globally, topping various rankings in South Korea and overseas.

According to the 'OTT K-Original Content Viewer Evaluation Report' for the third week of June, released by Consumer Insight on June 19, 'Mercy for None' ranked No. 1 among new releases for two consecutive weeks, recording 67% awareness rate, 36% viewership, and 69 points in satisfaction during its first week. This represents a 12-percentage point jump from the previous week, indicating growing interest driven by word of mouth.

Premiering on June 6, 'Mercy for None' quickly swept the charts with strong early momentum. According to Netflix’s official report on the 18th, the series amassed 7.6 million viewing hours in its second week, topping the global non-English TV series chart. It entered the global top 2 just three days after release and hit No. 1 globally in just two weeks.

The series has also been well-received overseas. 'Mercy for None' ranked in the top 10 in 75 countries, including Korea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, France, Germany, and Switzerland. It placed No. 1 in 9 of those countries, cementing its status as a true global hit.

As of June 18, the show has held the No. 1 spot on Korean Netflix for 11 consecutive days, maintaining its lead despite the debut of high-profile domestic dramas like JTBC’s 'Good Boy,' tvN’s 'Our Unwritten Seoul,' and MBC’s 'Oh My Ghost Clients.'

A major driver of the show's popularity is So Ji Sub’s intense action performance. Based on a Naver webtoon, the noir action drama follows Nam Ki Joon (played by So Ji Sub), who once severed his own Achilles tendon to leave a crime syndicate. After the death of his younger brother Ki Seok (Lee Joon Hyuk), the organization’s former second-in-command, he returns 11 years later to exact revenge.

This project marked So Ji Sub’s first OTT appearance, and he underwent a drastic weight loss for the role. “I started at 95 kg and got down to 70 kg range,” he revealed. “I went on a classic low-calorie diet, eating mostly chicken breast. I did it partly for the character, but also because I wanted my silhouette on screen to look sharper as the story progressed.”

His commitment to losing around 25 kg earned him the nickname “Korean John Wick,” and his physically demanding action scenes deeply resonated with viewers, who praised his complete immersion into the role of Nam Ki Joon.

Directed by Choi Sung Eun, 'Mercy for None' features a powerhouse cast including So Ji Sub, Lee Joon Hyuk, Huh Joon Ho, Gong Myung, Jo Han Chul, Ahn Kil Kang, Choo Young Woo, and Cha Seung Won. The show has been lauded for its solid storyline and strong performances.

International media and critics have also responded positively. Renowned review site Rotten Tomatoes gave it a perfect 100% on the Tomatometer. The UK’s Daily Mail described it as “a frenzy of blood-soaked action that excites fans,” while The Week called it “Netflix’s best Korean action thriller to date—packed with everything hardcore fans crave.”

Now enjoying a new peak in his 30-year acting career, So Ji Sub remains committed to his growth as an actor. “I used to think that after 10 years, I’d be an expert and acting would become easy, but even after 30 years, I still feel like I don’t fully get it. I think it will always be difficult. But I want to keep questioning, learning, and moving forward,” he said.

He added, “Doing action scenes in my 40s, I did feel some physical limitations and noticed my body doesn't respond as quickly as before. It doesn't feel as seamless as it once did. But I still think I can handle action, and I enjoy it. I’d like to keep doing action roles into my 70s.”

With its gripping revenge storyline introduced by the powerful tagline, “Do you remember the promise from 11 years ago?”, 'Mercy for None' has captivated global viewers and sparked a new wave of K-action dramas. Despite its R-rated content, its global success is expected to positively influence the international reach of future Korean content.