Mercy For None” (Original title: Gwang-jang) is a gripping 2025 Netflix TV mini-series that plunges viewers into the brutal and unforgiving world of the Korean underworld. This high-stakes K-drama centers on Gi-Jun, a former gangster who returns from exile to uncover the truth behind the mysterious death of his younger brother, Gi-seok.
What begins as a personal mission for revenge quickly unravels into a violent power struggle, pitting Gi-Jun against Seoul’s most feared crime syndicates — the Juwoon and Bongsan groups. As alliances fracture and loyalties shift, Gi-Jun is drawn into a deadly game of deception and survival. Every step forward brings him closer to a harrowing truth: Gi-seok’s death was no accident, but the result of a far-reaching conspiracy more devastating than he ever 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 asks 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.
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, he 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 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. Gi-Jun takes down everyone and brings the murderer’s younger brother with him. In a flashback, we see that the kid who is 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 faces distrust 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. 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), and 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. Eleven 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. Furthermore, Bong-san and Ju-woon learned that Chairman Oh’s son tried to send hitmen to kill them because he learned that Chairman Oh wanted Bong-san and Ju-woon to take over the group. Hearing that, they sent someone to kill Chairman Oh’s son, making Chairman Oh furious.
Who killed Chairman Oh’s son?
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 that 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. 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 as Jun-mo cheers him up. It seems like Gi-Jun is about to die, but Gi-Jun picks up a glass piece and hurts In-seok’s eye.
In-seok is unable to see, and soon Gi-Jun kills him. Now, Jun-mo picks up a rifle and aimlessly shoots towards Gi-Jun. Subsequently, 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 in the water. 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 with the death of one of them.
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 to Ju-woon that he’s met Yeong-do. 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 with a flashback of 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. 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 is 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.
<p><h3 class=”ai-optimize-72″ style=”text-align: center;”>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 carry with them audio recordings of the ones alive. When Gi-Jun heads 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 face 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. 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 feels Gi-Jun is going to attack, Geum-son shoots 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 reflects on Gi-seok, carries a quiet ambiguity. It can be seen in two ways: either Gi-Jun had once asked Gi-seok to leave the criminal world behind and join him in running the secluded mountain camp, or he only wished he had. That regret lingers heavily. Had he convinced his brother to walk away, Gi-seok might still be alive. Adding to the burden is the fact that Gi-Jun was the one who helped Gi-seok land the job that ultimately led to his death.
By the final act, all the major players — including Gi-Jun — have fallen. Only Hae-beom survives. But the cascade of deaths that unfolds isn’t the result of one man’s decision; it’s the product of many players, each pursuing their own agendas. It was never about good or evil — it was a ruthless game of power, shifting loyalties, and calculated betrayal. Yet, the story doesn’t leave loose ends. Gi-Jun gets his revenge. The old guard of the underworld is wiped out. And in the silence that follows, all that remains is the cost of survival and the weight of what could have been.
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