Ji Seung Hyun, the lead actor in Wavve’s original drama No Mercy shared his thoughts on the series finale with both wit and sincerity. He remarked that once again, he finds himself portraying a character that necessitates a public apology—this time as Ma Seok Gu, the ruthless mastermind behind a voice phishing operation.
No Mercy which concluded on October 16, is a gripping crime thriller following Ha So Min (Lee Joo Young), a struggling actress who loses everything to a voice phishing scam. Determined for revenge, she employs deepfake technology to infiltrate a massive fraud ring, setting off a high-stakes mission. The series, offering a stark depiction of voice phishing and artificial intelligence (AI) driven crimes, has earned a devoted following. Ji Seung Hyun delivers a powerful performance as Ma Seok Gu, the cold and calculating leader of the Ilseongpa voice phishing group, cementing his presence with a chilling portrayal of villainy.
Reflecting on his role, Ji Seung Hyun stated that after playing Kim Ji Sang in Good Partner, he once again took on a character that warranted a public apology. It was an exciting new challenge. He added that there’s a particularly disturbing scene where a drunken Ma Seok Gu proudly displays his collection of victims’ fingers to Ha So Min. Even he found it horrifying. Praising his co-stars Lee Joo Young, Koo Jun Hoe, and Cha Hyun Seung, Ji Seung Hyun continued that they are all incredibly talented. He hopes their paths cross again on another project soon. He also expressed concern for Cha Hyun Seung, sayiing that he heard he hasn’t been feeling well lately but he’s confident that he will make a full recovery.
Ji Seung Hyun concluded by saying that while working on No Mercy, he often wondered if voice phishing operations could truly be this extensive. Recent news seems to confirm the show’s accurate depiction of reality. He hopes that viewers will gain insight into the tactics used in voice phishing through the series and urges them to stay safe from such scams. The eight-episode No Mercy is available for binge-watching exclusively on Wavve.
Full Q&A with Ji Seung Hyun on the Series Finale
1. How do you feel now that all episodes of No Mercy have been released?
– “No Mercy is a revenge drama about a daughter seeking justice against the voice phishing ring that shattered her family. With the series finale, all episodes are now streaming on Wavve. Although it is a compact eight-episode series, we poured our hearts into delivering a realistic and cathartic experience. I am deeply grateful for all the support we’ve received.”
2. How do you feel about bidding farewell to Ma Seok Gu, the ruthless voice phishing kingpin?
– “Following my role as Kim Ji Sang in Good Partner, I once again stepped into a part that required a public apology. Ma Seok Gu may appear to be a businessman, but at his core, he is deeply suspicious and cruel. I embraced the challenge of making him unpredictable. The absence of a set template allowed for creative freedom in my performance—I even explored murderous smiles and killer laughter. I hope viewers found Ma Seok-goo both fresh and intriguing.”
3. Were there any scenes that you felt crossed a line, even from your perspective?
– “An early scene that was cut showed Ma Seok Gu striking Ha So Min’s mother with his car, then viciously kicking her while shouting, Why are you in my way! This starkly illustrated Ma Seok Gu’s character but was likely too brutal for broadcast. Among the scenes that made it to the screen, I vividly recall one where an intoxicated Ma Seok Gu gleefully shows Ha So Min his collection of victims’ fingers—an image that was particularly chilling.”
4. This project gave you a glimpse into the world of cybercrime. What are your thoughts?
– “While filming, I often wondered if voice phishing operations could really be this extensive. I had initially imagined them as small-scale scams. However, recent news reports seem to validate our portrayal. It’s alarming, yet I’m glad that our series could help raise awareness about this serious issue.”
5. How was your experience working with Lee Joo Young, Koo Jun Hoe, and Cha Hyun Seung?
– “They are all phenomenal actors. Despite playing my on-screen adversary, Lee Joo Young was a delight to work with. Her focus and positive energy on set were truly commendable. I did not share many scenes with Koo Jun Hoe, but his dedication to perfecting his role left a strong impression on me.”
“Cha Hyun Seung, who portrayed my right-hand man, exhibited admirable ambition and passion as a newcomer. We bonded over discussions about acting, developing a brotherly rapport. I’ve heard he hasn’t been feeling well lately, but I am confident he will recover quickly. I hope to reunite with all three on another project in the near future.”
6. The voice phishing theme in No Mercy seems particularly relevant given current events.
– “The operation depicted in No Mercy bears an uncanny resemblance to those making headlines today. In South Korea, voice phishing scams reportedly caused damages amounting to about 800 billion KRW (about 556 million USD) in the first half of 2025 alone. Our series offers viewers an opportunity to understand the tactics employed by these criminals, including the use of deep voice and deepfake technologies.”
“No Mercy also delivers thrilling action and suspense through its diverse cast of characters. I encourage everyone to binge-watch it on Wavve. Stay vigilant against voice phishing scams, and thank you for your support.”
