Latest news with #Master'sSun
The Star
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
So Ji-sub responds to 'Mercy For None' backlash
'Mercy For None' marks So Ji-sub's long-awaited return to the action genre, 13 years after his turn as a corporate assassin in 'A Company Man'. Photo: Handout Adapting a hit webtoon into live action has become a go-to move for drama creators, lowering risk while guaranteeing a ready-made fanbase eager to leap from digital panels to episodic storytelling. It is no surprise that original screenplays are becoming the exception rather than the rule in today's drama landscape. Netflix Korea's tentpole series Mercy For None rode that wave, bringing one of the most critically acclaimed webtoons to life with a star-studded ensemble cast. Fans were especially thrilled by the casting of So Ji-sub as the lead — a longtime fan-favourite pick to embody the webtoon's ruthless protagonist. However, adapting beloved material comes with risks: Since its June 6 premiere, Mercy For None has faced backlash from loyal webtoon fans over major plot changes. So, a seasoned actor known for past hits such as I'm Sorry, I Love You (2004) and Master's Sun (2013), acknowledged the mixed reactions during a group interview held Thursday in Seoul's Samcheong-dong. 'When adapting a webtoon into a series, it's not like the intention is to harm it or make it worse,' said So. 'In some ways, there's an effort to create an even better piece, something that surpasses the original. Of course, once it's completed, there will inevitably be mixed opinions," he added. 'That's not something that can be controlled. But at the very least, I don't think the original (webtoon) is ever purchased with the intent to damage it.' In embodying his character, So reflected on the emotional depth he aimed to bring to Gi-jun, a cold-blooded former gangster on a path of vengeance following his brother's murder. "I naturally tried to capture the vibe that character gives off. Of course, I couldn't imitate every look or gesture, but I tried to hold that essence in my heart. I'm not sure if I fully succeeded, but that was my mindset." He added: "I hoped that Gi-jun's revenge for his brother, along with his desperate and pitiable sides, would come through." Mercy For None marks So's long-awaited return to the action genre, 13 years after his turn as a corporate assassin in A Company Man . With Korean audiences long accustomed to iconic action figures, from genre staples such as John Wick and local heroes like Detective Ma Seok-do from the hit The Outlaws franchise, he reflected on how he approached the physicality of his role in Mercy For None . 'There's more action in this series compared to others,' So said. 'To show Gi-jun's almost invincible nature, I thought it was essential to convey power and energy. If you look closely at my action style, I might get pushed back, but I never dodge by stepping away. I really tried to incorporate that.' He also pointed to the stripped-down dialogue as a key aspect of the performance. 'There's very little dialogue. I think we filled in those gaps with the help of the camera and the director's guidance. Personally, I actually prefer roles without much dialogue.' So's return to the noir-action space with Mercy For None marks a homecoming to a genre he holds close. 'I personally really enjoy the noir genre. It's something I want to keep doing, even as I get older. Above all, I heard that the script for Mercy For None came to me first, and I was especially grateful for that,' he said. 'When I reflect on myself, I think it's a genre I'm good at. My acting style doesn't involve dramatic emotional swings or a lot of expressive outbursts. I prefer roles that rely on physicality, subtle expressions or acting through the eyes. That's why I think noir suits me well.' – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
The Star
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Legendary webtoon 'Mercy For None' comes to life in new Netflix series
So's casting as Ki-joon has delighted fans who had long envisioned him as the right actor to play the role of the ruthless fighter. — Photos: Handout Two icons converge in Netflix's latest crime noir series as one of the South Korea's most widely beloved webtoons gets the live-action treatment with fan-favourite actor So Ji-sub stepping into the lead role. Titled Mercy For None, the series follows Ki-joon (So), a former gangster who resurfaces after an 11-year disappearance to avenge his brother's death. Adapted from the wildly popular Naver Webtoon of the same name, which ran from 2020 to 2021, the series builds on the source material's reputation as one of South Korea's most anticipated noir-action titles this year. So's casting as Ki-joon was a dream come true for longtime fans of the original comic, who had long envisioned him as the perfect fit for the ruthless fighter, according to the series' director. So is known for his performances in hit K-dramas such as I'm Sorry, I Love You and Master's Sun. — So Ji-sub/Instagram 'So Ji-sub was the casting that fans of the original webtoon wanted most for the live-action adaptation. I was really glad that he agreed to take the role,' said director Choi Seong-eun at a press conference in Seoul recently. 'Even I wasn't sure at first what kind of image or expression that actor would bring to the character Ki-joon. But on the first day I met him, I felt that he would be able to convey Ki-joon's emotions well. I was given the opportunity to create freely in a rich environment with truly great ingredients.' Known for his performances in past hit dramas such as I'm Sorry, I Love You (2004) and Master's Sun (2013), So returns to the action genre for the first time in over a decade, following his role in the 2012 feature A Company For None also marks his debut in an original series for a streamer. The series is adapted from the wildly popular Naver Webtoon of the same name, which ran from 2020 to 2021. Discussing the action-driven narrative, So explained his approach to the role's physicality. 'The director told us not to include unnecessary action. He said it would be better not to throw in action just for the sake of it during transitional scenes. "When it comes to revenge, are we going to subdue these people or punish them? There's a difference, and we tried to make that distinction,' So, 47, said. 'For each character, I thought of the action as a form of dialogue spoken through the body. "The director said it would be great if the characters' energy and emotional flow could be felt when they fight," the actor explained. "He also said the action should have a narrative arc —beginning, development, twist and conclusion. "He wanted the intensity of the action to build gradually and reach a climax. "We talked about a lot of things beyond that too, and fortunately, I think all of that was well reflected in the final piece,' So added. Director Choi emphasised that the emotional stakes were central to staging the combat. 'For the action scenes as well, Ki-joon's emotions were the most important. If the emotions weren't convincing, it could come across as just a physical clash. I directed it so that the collision of emotions would manifest as action.' – The Korea Herald/Asia News Network Mercy For None is available on Netflix.
Korea Herald
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
So Ji-sub discusses 'Mercy for None,' iconic webtoon turned into series
Veteran K-drama star responds to 'Mercy for None' backlash, reflects on his passion for noir genre. Adapting a hit webtoon into live action has become a go-to move for drama creators, lowering risk while guaranteeing a ready-made fanbase eager to leap from digital panels to episodic storytelling. It is no surprise that original screenplays are becoming the exception rather than the rule in today's drama landscape. Netflix Korea's tentpole series 'Mercy for None' rode that wave, bringing one of the most critically acclaimed webtoons to life with a star-studded ensemble cast. Fans were especially thrilled by the casting of So Ji-sub as the lead — a longtime fan-favorite pick to embody the webtoon's ruthless protagonist. However, adapting beloved material comes with risks: Since its June 6 premiere, 'Mercy for None' has faced backlash from loyal webtoon fans over major plot changes. So, a veteran actor known for past hits such as "I'm Sorry, I Love You" (2004) and "Master's Sun" (2013), acknowledged the mixed reactions during a group interview held Thursday in Seoul's Samcheong-dong. 'When adapting a webtoon into a series, it's not like the intention is to harm it or make it worse,' said So. 'In some ways, there's an effort to create an even better piece, something that surpasses the original. Of course, once it's completed, there will inevitably be mixed opinions," he added. 'That's not something that can be controlled. But at the very least, I don't think the original (webtoon) is ever purchased with the intent to damage it.' In embodying his character, So reflected on the emotional depth he aimed to bring to Gi-jun, a cold-blooded former gangster on a path of vengeance following his brother's murder. "I naturally tried to capture the vibe that character gives off. Of course, I couldn't imitate every look or gesture, but I tried to hold that essence in my heart. I'm not sure if I fully succeeded, but that was my mindset." He added, "I hoped that Gi-jun's revenge for his brother, along with his desperate and pitiable sides, would come through." 'Mercy for None' marks So's long-awaited return to the action genre, 13 years after his turn as a corporate assassin in "A Company Man." With Korean audiences long accustomed to iconic action figures, from genre staples such as "John Wick" and local heroes like Detective Ma Seok-do from the hit "The Outlaws" franchise, he reflected on how he approached the physicality of his role in "Mercy for None." 'There's more action in this series compared to others,' So said. 'To show Gi-jun's almost invincible nature, I thought it was essential to convey power and energy. If you look closely at my action style, I might get pushed back, but I never dodge by stepping away. I really tried to incorporate that.' He also pointed to the stripped-down dialogue as a key aspect of the performance. 'There's very little dialogue. I think we filled in those gaps with the help of the camera and the director's guidance. Personally, I actually prefer roles without much dialogue.' So's return to the noir-action space with "Mercy for None" marks a homecoming to a genre he holds close. 'I personally really enjoy the noir genre. It's something I want to keep doing, even as I get older. Above all, I heard that the script for 'Mercy for None' came to me first, and I was especially grateful for that,' he said. 'When I reflect on myself, I think it's a genre I'm good at. My acting style doesn't involve dramatic emotional swings or a lot of expressive outbursts. I prefer roles that rely on physicality, subtle expressions or acting through the eyes. That's why I think noir suits me well.'
Korea Herald
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Legendary webtoon comes to life
Netflix Korea's 'Mercy for None' brings popular webtoon to Netflix, with So Ji-sub as main lead Two icons converge in Netflix Korea's latest crime noir series as one of the country's most widely beloved webtoons gets the live-action treatment with fan-favorite actor So Ji-sub stepping into the lead role. Titled 'Mercy for None,' the series follows Ki-joon (So Ji-sub), a former gangster who resurfaces after an 11-year disappearance to avenge his brother's death. Adapted from the wildly popular Naver Webtoon of the same name, which ran from 2020 to 2021, the series builds on the source material's reputation as one of Korea's most anticipated noir-action titles this year. So's casting as Ki-joon was a dream come true for longtime fans of the original comic, who had long envisioned him as the perfect fit for the ruthless fighter, according to the series' director. 'So Ji-sub was the casting that fans of the original webtoon wanted most for the live-action adaptation. I was really glad that he agreed to take the role,' said director Choi Seong-eun at a press conference held Thursday in Jung-gu, Seoul. 'Even I wasn't sure at first what kind of image or expression that actor would bring to the character Ki-joon. But on the first day I met him, I felt that he would be able to convey Ki-joon's emotions well. I was given the opportunity to create freely in a rich environment with truly great ingredients.' Known for his performances in past hit dramas such as "I'm Sorry, I Love You" (2004) and "Master's Sun" (2013), So returns to the action genre for the first time in over a decade, following his role in the 2012 feature "A Company Man." 'Mercy for None' also marks his debut in an streaming original series. Discussing the action-driven narrative, So explained his approach to the role's physicality. 'The director told us not to include unnecessary action. He said it would be better not to throw in action just for the sake of it during transitional scenes. When it comes to revenge, are we going to subdue these people or punish them? There's a difference, and we tried to make that distinction,' he said. 'For each character, I thought of the action as a form of dialogue spoken through the body. The director said it would be great if the characters' energy and emotional flow could be felt when they fight. He also said the action should have a narrative arc —beginning, development, twist and conclusion. He wanted the intensity of the action to build gradually and reach a climax. We talked about a lot of things beyond that too, and fortunately, I think all of that was well reflected in the final piece.' Director Choi emphasized that the emotional stakes were central to staging the combat. 'For the action scenes as well, Ki-joon's emotions were the most important. If the emotions weren't convincing, it could come across as just a physical clash. I directed it so that the collision of emotions would manifest as action.' 'Mercy for None' premiered Friday on Netflix.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Doctor Strange' actor Choi Jung Woo passes away at 68'; know more about the veteran actor
Veteran Korean actor Choi Jung Woo , well known for his roles in 'Doctor Strange' and ' Master's Sun ', has passed away, aged 68. The actor left for his heavenly abode in the early hours of May 27. Choi Jung Woo passed away at 68, agency confirms As reported by various Korean news media outlets, the actor's death was officially confirmed by his management agency. A representative from the agency also shared the statement confirming the sudden demise. They Actor Choi Jung Woo passed away, however, the exact cause of his death is yet unknown. While the cause of his sudden demise has not yet been revealed to the public, it was shared by Yonhap News that the actor allegedly suffered from anxiety, panic disorder and depression. His funeral procession will take place from the Gimpo Woori Hospital, on May 29. Who was Choi Jung Woo Choi Jung Woo was one of the most seasoned and well-known actors in the Korean entertainment industry . Before his sudden demise, the actor was observed in the latest drama 'Secret Relationships' as a supporting role. His career spanned for around 5 decades, where he made his debut in the industry with the stage play titled 'A Certain Actor's Life.' After success in the theatre industry, he shifted to films and broadcast and started off in the film 'Seven Reasons Why Beer Is Better Than a Lover.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologista recomenda: simples truque elimina o fungo facilmente Acabe com o Fungo Undo He starred in a Korean drama for the first time in 2006, where he played a supporting role in 'Alone in Love.' Some of his most well-known and titular dramas are namely 'Love to Death,' 'The Tale of Lady Ok,' 'The Painter of the Wind,' 'Brilliant Legacy,' 'Sign,' 'Tree with Deep Roots,' 'Chief of Staff Season 2,' 'Say It Is Love,' 'Strongest Chil-woo,' and 'Miss Granny.' The actor's family history According to ChosunBiz, in an old variety show, the actor talked about his long family history. During the show 'Sokpuri Show Dongchimi', the actor revealed that he has been married three times in his life, and has been divorced twice.
