INTERVIEW: So Ji Sub Returns to the Action Scene with “Mercy For None” A Gritty, Noir-Fueled Comeback 13 Years in the Making – kdramadiary
Veteran actor So Ji Sub is back in the spotlight with Mercy For None, a gripping new action-noir film that marks his first lead role in an action project since 2012’s A Company Man.
The long-awaited return to the genre has fans buzzing, and So himself seems equally excited—if not more so—about reuniting with a style of filmmaking he clearly holds dear.
Speaking candidly about his decision to take on Mercy For None, So shared, “I’ve done a bit of action since then, but nothing quite like this. Personally, I’ve always liked the noir genre. It’s something I want to keep doing as I grow older.” He went on to add, “What’s more, the script for The Square came to me first. That kind of thing doesn’t happen often, so I was especially grateful—it felt like the project chose me.”
The series, now streaming on Netflix as of June 6, is a dark, suspense-filled story that opens and closes with intense action, setting the tone for everything in between.
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For So Ji Sub, playing the lead role of Ki-jun required more than just fight choreography—it demanded physical endurance, emotional restraint, and a deep understanding of the noir aesthetic. “There’s definitely more action than in other works I’ve done,” he said. “To express Gi-jun’s near-immortal quality, I felt that power and energy were essential. If you watch closely, my action style might look like I’m being pushed around, but I never dodge it. I chose to face it head-on, and I tried to show that throughout.”
What’s striking about Mercy For None is its sparse use of dialogue, a creative choice that resonates deeply with So. “There’s not a lot of talking in this film, and personally, I like that. I think I was able to fill in those gaps thanks to the director’s guidance and the camera work,” he said. “I don’t gravitate toward roles that require big emotional swings or heavy lines. I prefer acting that is quieter, more internal—expressed through the body or the eyes. That’s why noir fits me so well.”
Now in his late 40s, So Ji-sub isn’t shying away from the physical toll that action films demand. Born in 1971, the actor admitted that the action scenes in The Square were challenging. “Physically, it was tough. I’ve always maintained a workout routine, so I managed, but I definitely noticed some changes. My mind was moving fast, but my body wasn’t quite keeping up like before,” he said with a laugh. “Still, I enjoy action. I really do. I want to keep doing it as long as I can.”
In preparation for the role, So took on an intense physical transformation, dropping nearly 20 kilograms throughout filming. “When I started, I was about 95 kg. By the end, I was down in the 70s,” he revealed. “I went old-school—chicken breast, calorie restrictions, all of it. I actually love eating more than people might expect, and I tend to gain weight easily, so this wasn’t simple for me. This time around, I realized I need to be more careful going forward.”
Mercy For None offers more than just action—it’s a showcase of So Ji-sub’s signature style: quietly commanding, physically grounded, and deeply connected to the noir tradition. As both an actor and a performer, he continues to evolve while staying true to what suits him best.
For longtime fans and new viewers alike, Mercy For None is not just a comeback—it’s a statement. So Ji Sub isn’t just returning to action. He’s redefining it on his own terms.
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