Mercy For None (Original title: Gwang-jang) is a gripping 2025 Netflix TV mini-series that takes the viewers into the dark and ruthless world of the Korean underworld. This action-packed K-drama follows Gi-Jun, a former gangster who returns from exile to avenge the mysterious death of his brother, Gi-seok. What begins as a personal quest for vengeance quickly spirals into a complex power struggle, exposing deep-seated rivalries, betrayals, and a brutal game of survival among Seoul’s most formidable crime syndicates, the Juwoon and Bongsan groups. As Gi-Jun navigates deceitful people with shifting loyalties and deadly secrets, he unearths a truth about Gi-seok’s death that is far more intricate and devastating than he could have imagined.
This article contains spoilers.
Mercy For None (Gwang-jang, Netflix TV Mini-Series, 2025) Episode 1 Recap:
The episode opens in 2010 Seoul, where Gi-Jun tells his brother Gi-seok that Ju-woon will hire him. In the next scene, we see Gi-Jun fight a man called Kiyota. Although Kiyota is strong and has beaten up other goons, Gi-Jun takes down Kiyota easily. Currently, Mr. Cha, the Manager of Bongsan Group, is tied to a chair by some thugs, and he is asking to meet Mr. Gu. Meanwhile, the Chairman of Bongsan Group, Gu Bong-san, and the Chairman of Juwoon Group, Lee Ju-woon, meet for drinks. The meeting is held because Bong-san has a favor to ask Ju-woon, as Bong-san’s son Jun-mo has messed up while dealing with some business. In exchange for sending the goons away, Bong-san is willing to incur losses and fix Ju-woon’s building site issues.
Now, Gi-seok is Ju-woon’s trusted man, so he sends Gi-seok to Jun-mo to put sense into him. Furthermore, Ju-woon wants to appoint Gi-seok as the successor to the Ju-woon Group. When Gi-seok asks Jun-mo to do his job correctly, Jun-mo brings up Gi-Jun as an example, citing that Gi-Jun once messed up a job; as a punishment, Gi-Jun’s leg tendon was cut. Seeing this childish behavior, Gi-Seok beats Jun-mo. In anger, Jun-mo says Gi-seok is going to die soon. After that, Gi-seok visits Gi-Jun, who lives in the woods and has a camping business. Later that night, some kids stabbed Gi-seok. In the next scene, we see Gi-seok’s funeral ceremony. Meanwhile, Seong-cheol meets Ju-woon and asks him to give his son a fair chance to become a successor.
Is Gi-Jun close to finding the killer?
Later, Gi-Jun interrupts the meeting, saying they had requested that Gi-Jun live in exile; in exchange, they needed to keep Gi-seok safe. Now that Gi-seok is dead, Gi-Jun is back to avenge Gi-seok. The next day, Gi-Jun visits the police station and meets the kid they caught who killed Gi-seok. The kid does not care if Gi-Jun goes after his family, but he is afraid when Gi-Jun mentions the kid’s younger brother. After getting information, Gi-Jun follows the murderer’s brother to a video game parlor. There, some goons are waiting for Gi-Jun. There, Gi-Jun takes down everyone and brings the murderer’s younger brother with him. In a flashback, we see that the kid who was caught was not the one who killed Gi-seok.
Mercy For None (Gwang-jang, Netflix TV Mini-Series, 2025) Episode 2 Recap:
The episode opens with Ju-woon meeting an informer to uncover the truth behind Gi-seok’s death. Meanwhile, Ju-woon’s son, Geum-son, a prosecutor, attends a meeting where members discuss the origins of the Ju-woon and Bongsan groups—both were a part of the former Beomyeongdong gang. Back then, Chairman Oh led the gang, with Ju-woon and Bong-san as second-in-command. A coup led to Chairman Oh’s son’s death. A prosecutor questions Geum-son about whether he plans to take over the Ju-woon group now that Gi-seok is dead. At work, Geum-son is distrusted due to his family’s underworld ties, and at home, he’s disrespected for being a prosecutor. The boss challenges Geum-son to prove himself by solving Gi-seok’s murder. Elsewhere, Gi-Jun meets Hui-chan, who speaks of the “Graveyard” service—a network where youths take on dangerous jobs like murder or falsely confessing to crimes for money. When Gi-Jun pushes for details, Hui-chan refers him to his lawyer.
Lawyer Yoon later confirms to Gi-Jun that the Graveyard employs lawyers to support these operatives. Now, Gi-Jun storms into the NClean office and defeats the goons there. Alarmed, Sim Seong-won sends reinforcements, but Gi-Jun overpowers them too. Terrified, Seong-won reveals that Jun-mo ordered Gi-seok’s killing through the Graveyard service. Back at the office, Seong-cheol informs Ju-woon about Jun-mo’s involvement. Later, Ju-woon confronts Bong-san, asking him to hand over Jun-mo, as per a pact they made 11 years ago. If not, Bong-san must offer something equally valuable. They argue until Gi-Jun arrives and asks neither Bong-san nor Ju-woon to do anything, vowing that Jun-mo will pay the price.
Who joins Gi-Jun on the quest to take down Jun-mo?
Afterward, Bong-san offers Ju-woon his hotel if he can stop Gi-Jun. Afterward, Bong-san hits Jun-mo for causing Gi-seok’s death but reassures him that Jun-mo’s survival depends on him seeking Bong-san’s permission before doing anything again. Meanwhile, Gi-Jun visits his old baseball mentor to request a customized bat. At home, Hae-beom, Gi-seok’s guard, is frustrated by Ju-woon’s inaction and meets Gi-Jun, insisting the matter concerns him too. Now, Hae-beom hires a hitman on Jun-mo through NClean. When Jun-mo is located, Hae-beom alerts Gi-Jun. At the same time, the informer tells Ju-woon it’s his move now, which Geum-son hears (as he has bugged Ju-woon’s office or phone), he begins reviewing case files on Bong-san and Ju-woon.
Mercy For None (Gwang-jang, Netflix TV Mini-Series, 2025) Episode 3 Recap:
The episode opens with Bong-san asking someone to kill Gi-Jun, but the man refuses as he is afraid of Gi-Jun because he was present 11 years ago when Gi-Jun massacred people. Before leaving, the man asks Bong-san if the kids could have killed Gi-seok, as Gi-seok is fearless, just like Gi-Jun. Now, Bong-san asks his men to take Jun-mo to the safe house. Additionally, Bong-san also wants to investigate the police officers who found Gi-seok’s body and are handling the case. In a bar, Chun-seok arrives to take Jun-mo to the safe house, but Jun-mo refuses, saying he isn’t afraid of Gi-Jun nor will he follow Bong-san’s orders. By then, Bong-san’s bodyguard arrives and forcefully takes Jun-mo. Before that can happen, Gi-Jun arrives and fights the bodyguard.
Outside, Hae-beom tries to stop Chun-seok from leaving but fails. So, Gi-Jun meets Seong-won, asking for Jun-mo’s location. At home, Seong-cheol realizes Geum-son has bugged Ju-woon’s office. So, Seong-cheol confronts Geum-son, who says this is the perfect opportunity to take down Bong-san and rule the underworld. In the safe house, Jun-mo is curious about Gi-Jun, so Chun-seok tells Jun-mo about Gi-Jun’s story. 11 years ago, a group in Busan attacked the Beomyeongdong gang, and they thought this was their end. At that time, Gi-Jun arrives and takes down all the goons. During that time, Bong-san and Ju-woon learn that Chairman Oh’s son tried to send hitmen to kill them because he learned Chairman Oh wanted Bong-san and Ju-woon to take over the group. Hearing that, they sent someone to kill Chairman Oh’s son. Because of this, Chairman Oh is furious.
Who killed Chairman Oh’s son?
So, Gi-Jun takes the blame for killing Chairman Oh’s son. This saves Bong-san and Ju-woon, who start their respective groups. This was the time the rules were set in place. Instead of killing Gi-Jun, they cut his tendons as a mercy. The next day, Jun-mo orders his goons to kill Gi-Jun. Now, Chun-seok meets Gi-Jun and tells him that the Bong-san family is chasing after Gi-Jun. At this rate, Gi-Jun will be killed. After that, Chun-seok gives Gi-Jun a location where he can find Jun-mo. However, this is a setup as Jun-mo asks Chun-seok to choose wisely because Chun-seok has a young child. At the location, Gi-Jun easily kills the goons. While Gi-Jun is still there, Jun-mo calls the goons, so Gi-Jun receives and asks Jun-mo to hang tight as Gi-Jun is coming for him. In a flashback, we see the one who killed Chairman Oh’s son was Gi-seok.
Mercy For None (Gwang-jang, Netflix TV Mini-Series, 2025) Episode 4 Recap:
The episode opens with Bong-san’s meeting with Yeong-do, where Bong-san asks Yeong-do to get rid of Gi-Jun, as it was because of Yeong-do that the two groups have co-existed and have rules. From the safe house, Jun-mo calls his friend, champion wrestler In-Seok, to get rid of Gi-Jun. Later, Chun-seok receives a call from Jun-mo asking him to meet at the baseball academy. At the academy, Jun-mo kills Byeong-ho. When Chun-seok arrives, he fights Jun-mo, saying he is the reason for all the mess. However, Jun-mo kills Chun-seok. When Gi-Jun calls Byeong-ho, Jun-mo receives the call, gives the address, and asks Gi-Jun to show up there. Elsewhere, Bong-san has captured the cop (Seok-hyun), questioning him about the truth of Gi-seok’s death. It is obvious that Seok-hyun was at the scene when Gi-seok died, which means someone tipped him off. To prove this, Seok-hyun produces a voice recording.
By then, Jun-mo had called many goons to the safe house, asking them to bring Gi-Jun alive. When Gi-Jun arrives, he picks up the customized baseball bat and enters, taking down the goons. This instills fear in Jun-mo, but In-seok assures him that he can kill Gi-Jun easily. When Gi-Jun comes to Jun-mo, In-seok beats Gi-Jun to a pulp while Jun-mo is cheering In-seok on. It seems like Gi-Jun is about to die, but Gi-Jun picks up a glass piece and hurts In-seok’s eye. Because of this, In-seok is unable to see, so Gi-Jun kills him. Now, Jun-mo picks up a rifle and aimlessly shoots towards Gi-Jun. However, Gi-Jun kills Jun-mo. Just then, Bong-san calls, so Gi-Jun receives the call and is about to say that Jun-mo was not the one who killed Gi-seok, but Gi-Jun tells Bong-san that Jun-mo has been killed. As Gi-Jun is driving, a car deliberately crashes into Gi-Jun’s car, sending it flying into the water. The man now calls someone and says Gi-Jun is dead.
Mercy For None (Gwang-jang, Netflix TV Mini-Series, 2025) Episode 5 Recap:
The episode opens with a flashback revealing that Hui-chan did not kill Gi-seok, but it was a hitman. In the present, Gi-Jun’s car is found in a river, and search teams locate Gi-Jun’s body elsewhere in the water. Now, Seong-cheol tells Ju-woon that Bong-san likely orchestrated Gi-jun’s murder as revenge. Soon after, Bong-san contacts Ju-woon for a meeting and confesses to having Gi-jun killed. However, Bong-san accuses Ju-woon of betrayal, claiming money from Ju-woon’s shell company was transferred to Seok-hyun’s account, implying Ju-woon never intended for Gi-Seok to inherit the company, and killed Gi-Seok, blaming Jun-mo. Now, Bong-san ominously declares that their feud can only end in one of their death.
Meanwhile, Bong-san convenes a meeting with his men. Before Bong-san arrives, prosecutors and police raid the place and arrest everyone except Bong-san, who escapes. Later, Geum-son is berated by his superior for failing to catch Bong-san, prompting him to reveal documents showing Geum-son is now targeting Ju-woon. Elsewhere, Ju-woon confronts Yeong-do about the suspicious fund transfers, but Yeong-do suggests Geum-son could also be responsible. Fortunately, Gi-jun is alive and is rescued by Hae-beom. Later, Gi-jun meets Seong-won and demands to know who tried to kill him. At home, Geum-son admits he’s met Yeong-do to Ju-woon. After playing a passive role for a long time, Ju-woon finally acts. So, Ju-woon sends his men to Bong-san’s hideout, where they eliminate his goons. Personally, Ju-woon kills Bong-san, declaring he’ll protect Geum-son at any cost, just like Bong-san did.
Is Yeong-do planning a coup?
Soon after, Yeong-do receives a call about the attack and coldly states he’ll be the one to lead the Bongsan group. It becomes clear that Yeong-do is eliminating key figures from both groups. Later, Gi-jun meets Ju-woon, who reveals Yeong-do’s dark past—once a cop, he was used by Chairman Oh for insider info. Even after Chairman Oh’s death, Yeong-do remained in the shadows, managing both the Juwoon and Bongsan groups and maintaining peace until now. Ju-woon tells Gi-jun that Yeong-do killed Gi-seok. So, Gi-jun asks to meet Yeong-do. From a distance, Seong-cheol watches the interaction and calls someone. As Yeong-do exits the police station, he is surprised by someone’s presence. A flashback reveals that Yeong-do appointed Mr. Hong to lead the Bongsan group. Meanwhile, Seong-cheol arrives with Geum-son, seemingly ready to lead the Juwoon group.
Mercy For None (Gwang-jang, Netflix TV Mini-Series, 2025) Episode 6 Recap:
The episode opens in a flashback with Yeong-do and Geum-son’s meeting. At this point, Geum-son has still not decided if he wants to take over the Juwoon group. Currently, Gi-Jun attacks Yeong-do. However, another man, Tae-hwan, stops Gi-Jun. It looks like Gi-Jun had hurt Tae-hwan many years ago, so Yeong-do hired him to get rid of Gi-Jun. Suddenly, cops start approaching, so Tae-hwan leaves. Now, Gi-Jun asks Seung-won to track down Tae-hwan. Later, Yeong-do expresses his unhappiness towards Ju-woo. The next day, Geum-son does not allow Ju-woon to attend the meeting with the board of directors, as Geum-son declares himself the leader of the group. This annoys Ju-woon as he has done everything to ensure Geum-son does not walk the same path as Ju-woon. At the meeting, the directors are unhappy, but Geum-son is unafraid to get his hands dirty.
Meanwhile, Yeong-do makes it easy for Gi-Jun to find Tae-hwan. In a parking lot, Gi-Jun and Tae-hwan fight. The only issue for Tae-hwan is that Gi-Jun let him live and only cut off Tae-hwan’s hand many years ago. This time, Gi-Jun kills him. Before dying, Tae-hwan calls Yeong-do. As this is going on, Yeong-do visits Ju-woon and kills him. When Gi-Jun arrives, cops come in and arrest Gi-Jun on suspicion of Ju-woon’s murder. At the police station, other officers take over Gi-Jun’s case. So they take Gi-Jun in another car. Since Geum-son had bugged Ju-woon’s room, he knows the one who killed Ju-woon is Yeong-do and not Gi-Jun. The cops drive Gi-Jun into a tunnel, and Gi-Jun, even with handcuffs, fights the men. Just then, Seung-won arrives. Seeing Seung-won, Gi-Jun was surprised. The reason Seung–won is here is because Yeong-do had called to clean up. Thankfully, Seung-won lies to Yeong-do, saying Gi-Jun is dead.
Who is the mastermind behind the downfall of Juwoon and Bongsan?
Meanwhile, Geum-son is not yet ready to get rid of Yeong-do, as he needs all the Intel Yeong-do has about the Juwoon group. Instead, Geum-son issues a search and seizure warrant. Now, Yeong-do’s arrogance comes down as he realizes Geum-son knows the truth about his father’s death. So, Yeong-do tries to call his hitman Kaneyama, but he is already with Geum-son. If Kaneyama kills someone for Geum-son, then he will help Kaneyama settle in South Korea. In his car, Yeong-do hears an audio recording of Seung-do helping Gi-Jun. Eight months earlier, Geum-son finds Yeong-do and asks for help. It is Geum-son’s dream to merge Juwoon and Bongsan Group and lead them. However, Geum-son is honest, saying he is going to do things his way. Once Geum-son leaves, Yeong-do smiles, listening to the recording of this conversation.
Mercy For None (Gwang-jang, Netflix TV Mini-Series, 2025) Episode 7 Recap:
The episode opens with Geum-son opening a bag and finding a gun inside. After that, Geum-son heads to the church for a funeral service. Meanwhile, Seung-won is with his lackey Yang-sik at the harbor, waiting to leave for Russia. When the captain of the boat does not arrive, Yang-sik steps out to take a call. Just then, some kids come to kill Seung-won. However, Seung-won fights them and tries to get Yang-sik’s help, but Yang-sik kills Seung-won, who is working on Geum-son’s orders. Elsewhere, Gi-Jun fights Yeong-do’s men, who are carrying with them audio recordings of the ones alive. When Gi-Jun is heading towards Yeong-do’s room, Gi-Jun is attacked by Kaneyama (Gi-seok’s killer). After an intense fight, Gi-Jun kills Kaneyama. In the church, Geum-son convinces both groups to merge. Now, Gi-Jun and Yeong-do are facing each other.
To survive, Yeong-do shoots at Gi-Jun, but he survives. So, Yeong-do tries to make a deal with Gi-Jun. However, when Gi-Jun throws the USBs, Yeong-do reveals what is in Geum-son’s USB. The offer Yeong-do makes is for Gi-Jun to kill Geum-son and take the leadership of both groups. When Gi-Jun is uninterested, Yeong-do shoots Gi-Jun. Now they get into a fight, and Gi-Jun kills Yeong-do. After that, Gi-Jun visits Ju-woon’s funeral. There, Geum-son is sad that Gi-Jun is alive but is happy Yeong-do is dead. Now, Geum-son also implies that he will kill Gi-Jun. The reason for Gi-seok’s death is that Gi-Jun and Gi-seok didn’t take Ju-woon’s offer to lead the group. Later, Gi-Jun gives Hae-beom the USB and asks him to hold onto it until Gi-Jun says otherwise. Additionally, Gi-Jun asks Hae-beom to let this end with him and urges Hae-beom not to drag this further.
Mercy for None (Gwang-jang, Netflix TV Mini-Series, 2025) Ending Explained:
After Juwoon and Bongsan sign the merger, Geum-son addresses the group, which is filled with board members from both sides. Elsewhere, Hae-beom takes lawyer Yoon’s help to send the audio files to the press. At the meeting, the board is impressed with Geum-son’s speech. Just then, everyone gets an alert that the news channels are broadcasting about Geum-son being a murderer. Everyone turns their back on Geum-son. In anger, Geum-son kills one of the board members. After Seong-cheol stops Geum-son, Seong-cheol leaves to find Gi-Jun fighting the guards. So, Seong-cheol tries to reason with Gi-Jun, who is unwilling to stop. As Seong-cheol and Gi-Jun walk to Geum-son, Seong-cheol attacks Gi-Jun and apologizes, saying he is just doing his job. However, Gi-Jun kills Seong-cheol. Now, Gi-Jun and Geum-son talk.
Despite everything, Geum-son says he enjoyed the fight rather than sitting on the throne. When Geum-son felt Gi-Jun was going to attack, Geum-son shot Gi-Jun. Now, Gi-Jun tells a delusional Geum-son that the people didn’t respect Ju-woon but only feared him. However, Geum-son admits he thought he could handle this job, but he surely is not made for this life. Saying that, Geum-son is about to shoot himself, but Gi-Jun cuts Geum-son’s hand. Immediately, Gi-Jun says Geum-son cannot die an easy death, so Gi-Jun stabs Geum-son in the neck and lets him bleed out. Later, we see Gi-Jun in the woods, at his campsite, slowly dying while thinking of Gi-seok.
The ending, as Gi-Jun thinks of Gi-seok, can be interpreted in two ways. It’s either that Gi-Jun did ask Gi-seok to leave everything behind and join him in running the camp or that Gi-Jun hoped he told Gi-seok to leave that life behind. If Gi-Jun had stopped Gi-seok, then Gi-seok may have been alive. There is also guilt as Gi-Jun is the one who got this job for Gi-seok. Towards the end, all the key players, including Gi-Jun, are dead. The only one alive is Hae-beom. The reason for this domino effect isn’t a straightforward one. It involves multiple people strategizing to fulfill their needs. It was a game of power. The ending does not have any story that doesn’t have a conclusion. Gi-Jun gets his revenge, and the old players of the underworld are dead.
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