Context can be tricky for writers, especially in the first episode of a series. Too much exposition can overwhelm viewers, while too little can leave them confused. A new Korean noir thriller seems to lean towards the latter.
Opening scene: “Youido, Seoul, 2010.” Shot in black and white, we see two men in a car. One talks about being “employed,” and soon enough, they leave the vehicle and step into a fighting circle, where one of them competes against gang members, taking them on one by one.
Key points: Lee Ju-Woon (Heo Jun-Ho), leader of the Juwoon Group, meets with Gu Bong-San (Ahn Kil-Kang), head of the rival Bongsan group. Bong-San needs Ju-Woon’s help to save his son, Gu Jun-Mo (Gong Myung), from chaos in his life. In exchange, Bong-San creates issues in Ju-Woon’s real estate.
Meanwhile, Ju-Woon seeks Nam Gi-Seok (Lee Jun-Hyuk) to help resolve this situation. Ju-Woon is hopeful that Gi-Seok will step up, but Gi-Seok, tired of the violent lifestyle, wants out.
Jun-Mo mentions his older brother, Nam Gi-Jun (So Ji-Sub). Gi-Jun used to be part of the Bongsan group but escaped that life after a serious injury. Gi-Seok, noticing how Jun-Mo talks, responds in a rough manner.
Gi-Seok finds himself in a parking lot, where he’s attacked by a group of teenagers. He manages to fend off many of them, but one sneaks up behind and stabs him.
The scene cuts to Gi-Seok’s funeral. Ju-Woon’s son, Lee Geum-Son (Choo Yeong-Woo), is present, but Ju-Woon is unaware due to Geum-Son’s job at the prosecutor’s office. Gi-Jun also attends, informing the rival groups that he signed a deal years ago and plans to vanish, living as if he’s dead. He starts to investigate who orchestrated the attack on his brother.
What does it remind you of? It has a vibe similar to Korean noir action thrillers like My Name.
Our take: The first episode of No One is Mercy struggles to immerse viewers in the rivalry between Juwoon and Bongsan without providing enough context. While there’s a graphic explaining character relationships, it still feels inadequate. By the time Gi-Jun embarks on his revenge mission, the storyline seems murky, particularly the intricate details of these gang dynamics.
Though Gi-Jun’s quest for vengeance will uncover more about his brother’s death and the history between the gangs, the initial lack of background can leave viewers feeling lost. There’s plenty of well-executed fighting in the first episode, but it would be beneficial to have more context sooner, helping viewers identify key players in the story.
Sex and skin: There’s not much to note in this episode.
Farewell scene: We see the aftermath of Gi-Seok’s stabbing, leaving Gi-Jun questioning the fate of his brother.
Sleeper star: Choo Yong Woo, as Lee Geum-Son, the prosecutor, adds intrigue. The potential for Ju-Woon to draw his son back into the criminal world is interesting.
Most pilot Y-line: The symbolism of Gi-Jun wearing the suit meant for him by Gi-Seok feels a bit direct, reminding viewers of his past with the gang.
Our verdict: Stream it. The action and revenge theme of No One is Mercy could keep you engaged, and the pacing is decent. However, a deeper understanding of the gang rivalry is essential for viewers to fully invest in the narrative.
