Mercy for None Episode 5 Recap: The Truth About Gi-seok’s Death Unravels

Mercy for None Episode 5 opens with a crucial flashback that finally reveals what happened to Gi-seok. As he watches the runaway kids flee, a new assailant—a masked and highly trained adult fighter—enters the scene. After a brutal fight, Gi-seok is fatally stabbed in the neck. Outside, Detective Han, who had been waiting in his car, later walks in and reports the homicide. This confirms that Gi-seok’s death was not caused by the runaway kids, as previously assumed.

Back in the present, Gi-jun’s car is retrieved from the river, but he miraculously survives. He is rescued by Hae-beom, who takes him to safety. Meanwhile, Chairman Bong-san and Chairman Ju-woon confront each other. Bong-san admits to orchestrating Gi-jun’s death to protect his son. He presents documents tying Detective Han to Ju-woon’s corporation, JW Gallery, accusing Ju-woon of framing Jun-mo and planning to consolidate power for his son, Geum-son. Bong-san declares that only one of them can survive, setting the stage for war.

The internal chaos intensifies as Bong-san’s men are arrested by prosecutors. However, the Deputy Chief Prosecutor is frustrated, having missed his window to act before Geum-son made his move. Geum-son hints that he plans to turn against his own father next, signaling a deeper betrayal to come.

Ju-woon confronts Yeong-do with the documents, suspecting him of orchestrating Gi-seok’s murder. Yeong-do denies the accusation and suggests that Geum-son might be the real culprit. Meanwhile, Gi-jun recovers quickly and reconnects with Hae-beom. He entrusts him with Gi-seok’s belongings and prepares to investigate who tried to kill him.

READ MORE: Gi-jun Hunts Jun-mo in Mercy for None Episode 3

READ MORE: Mercy for None Episode 4 Recap: Gi-jun’s Vengeful Rampage

At NClean, Seong-won is stunned when Gi-jun—believed to be dead—walks in alive. Gi-jun asks for help finding the person responsible for the attempted murder. The two then visit the columbarium where Chun-seok and Byung-ho’s remains are stored, a somber moment that strengthens Gi-jun’s resolve.

Ju-woon later tries to confront his son, but Geum-son coldly insists he was merely following orders. As Ju-woon’s forces move against the Bongsan Group, Bong-san chooses not to flee and instead fights alongside his men. However, he ultimately loses the battle and is killed by Ju-woon himself. Among the fallen, one Bongsan member survives—he’s a spy planted by Yeong-do. On the phone, Yeong-do tells the man that he’s now the new head of the group. In Yeong-do’s room, a chilling list shows Bong-san, Jun-mo, and Gi-seok’s names crossed out. Only Ju-woon remains.

Later, Yeong-do visits a prisoner—an associate of Chairman Oh and the final opponent Gi-jun once faced. The man, now missing a hand, was the only one who knew Gi-jun didn’t kill Chairman Oh’s son.

Gi-jun confronts Ju-woon and accuses him of staging the car crash. Ju-woon reveals more about Yeong-do, who used to be a police officer named Mr. Kim. Originally brought in by Chairman Oh to cover up crimes, Yeong-do continued operating in the shadows even after the chairman’s death. Through blackmail and manipulation, he maintained a fragile peace while enriching himself.

Ju-woon then plays a recording of a conversation between Yeong-do and Gi-seok, where Yeong-do warns that Chairman Oh’s son is targeting Gi-jun. Gi-seok, acting on that information, killed the man to protect his brother. The truth behind the murder is finally exposed—Yeong-do orchestrated the entire sequence of events.

Ju-woon offers Gi-jun control of his company, but Gi-jun refuses. He only wants one thing: a meeting with Yeong-do. Ju-woon agrees to arrange it. In the closing moments, Yeong-do receives a call from Ju-woon and heads to his car, only to be shocked by what he sees.

The episode ends with an epilogue: Yeong-do meets with the Bongsan mole, only to be joined by Seong-cheol and Geum-son. A handshake seals their alliance, suggesting the birth of a new power dynamic and setting the stage for the next confrontation.

Mercy for None Episode 5 recap deepens the intrigue with revelations, betrayals, and the collapse of long-standing power structures. With Yeong-do emerging as the true puppet master, the question now is: who will strike next? For more K-Drama recap, check out the link below.

Alternatively, watch the full release here: