In Netflix’s gripping Korean mystery thriller “Mousetrap” (released August 28, 2026), actor Ryu Jun-yeol delivers a standout performance that takes modern identity theft to a harrowing extreme. Adapted from Ludovico’s popular Kakao Webtoon “Field Mouse” (2017–2020) and directed by Kim Hong-sun (Voice, The Guest), the 10-episode series merges classic Korean folklore with a contemporary crime narrative.
Folklore Meets Modern Cyber Crime
The core premise of “Mousetrap” takes inspiration from the traditional Korean folktale “The Rat That Ate the Nail,” in which a rat consumes a human’s fingernails to transform into their double and steal their existence.
In this modern adaptation, Ryu Jun-yeol takes on his first dual role as both Moon-jae, a reclusive genius novelist suffering from panic disorder, and “The Rat,” a calculating impostor who systematically steals Moon-jae’s name, assets, and life.
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| NETFLIX 'MOUSETRAP' SHOW & CAST PROFILE |
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| 1. Lead Actor : Ryu Jun-yeol (Dual role as Moon-jae & The Rat) |
| 2. Co-Stars : Sul Kyung-gu (as No-ja), Lee Kyoo-hyung (as Sun-yong) |
| 3. Director / Writer: Kim Hong-sun / Lee Jae-gon |
| 4. Source Material : Kakao Webtoon 'Field Mouse' (by Ludovico) |
| 5. Premiere Date : August 28, 2026 (10 Episodes, Exclusive to Netflix) |
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An Unlikely Partnership and Social Commentary
When Moon-jae’s phone fails to recognize his fingerprint and his bank accounts are frozen, he is forced into a desperate alliance with No-ja (played by veteran actor Sul Kyung-gu), a ruthless loan shark who had originally been hunting him down. Together, the naive writer and the street-smart Enforcer navigate a dark web of identity theft rings targeting socially vulnerable individuals.
“I wanted to capture the desperation of someone trying to reclaim a life that has been taken away,” explained director Kim Hong-sun during the series production showcase. “The Rat becomes a metaphor for criminal organizations that prey on people whose lives can disappear overnight.”
With sharp direction, tense action sequences, and Ryu Jun-yeol’s dual performance, Ryu Jun-yeol in Netflix’s Mousetrap delivers an unsettling look at how fragile modern identity can be. All 10 episodes are currently streaming worldwide on Netflix.
