Jae-ho is called ‘Prison God’ for his brilliance. High walls and tough guys are nothing in front of him. One day, an interesting newbie named Hyun-su appears before him. Behind good looks, he hides his cleverness and ambition. They notice that they are meant for each other, and dream of taking over a crime syndicate once they get out of prison. The shift in the idea of genre is what makes The Merciless special. This world that used to be defined by power dynamics and loyalty, but the waves of emotions, such as suspicion, hatred, affection and jealousy, add novelty. It is because the change in the relationship between Jae-ho and Hyun-su is the key that goes through the entire movie. High standards of style are another thing that gives vivid identity to the film. From a red sports car in the opening to a three-piece suit in a bright primary color, the film is full of bold attempts to get away from dark blue color. Mise-en-scène, which is maximized when each and every scene is broken down and looked at, is outstanding. Cheerful attempts are also made. Jokes are made when least expected, and the turf war between syndicates is described as a fight of super heroes. This film shows a virtue that is created when familiarity is viewed from an unfamiliar perspective. (SUNG Sun-hae)