Mousetrap, the new Korean mystery thriller series from Netflix, arrives on August 28, 2026. The show stars Ryu Jun Yeol as a reclusive novelist who loses his identity to a mysterious figure called “The Rat.”
Netflix confirmed the premiere date on July 31, 2026, along with the first poster and official teaser trailer. The series is based on the webtoon “Field Mouse” and draws inspiration from an old Korean folktale about a rat that eats someone’s clipped fingernails and turns into that person.
Global Release Time for All Major Time Zones
Mousetrap premieres globally on Netflix on Friday, August 28, 2026. Netflix typically releases new series at 12:00 AM PT (Pacific Time) for global simultaneous streaming.
Here is the exact release time across major time zones:
- United States (PT): August 28, 12:00 AM
- United States (ET): August 28, 3:00 AM
- Brazil (BRT): August 28, 4:00 AM
- United Kingdom (BST): August 28, 8:00 AM
- Europe (CET): August 28, 9:00 AM
- South Africa (SAST): August 28, 9:00 AM
- India (IST): August 28, 12:30 PM
- Indonesia (WIB): August 28, 2:00 PM
- Thailand (ICT): August 28, 2:00 PM
- Philippines (PHT): August 28, 3:00 PM
- China (CST): August 28, 3:00 PM
- Hong Kong (HKT): August 28, 3:00 PM
- Korea (KST): August 28, 4:00 PM
- Japan (JST): August 28, 4:00 PM
- Australia (AEST): August 28, 5:00 PM
- New Zealand (NZST): August 28, 7:00 PM
All episodes are expected to drop at the same time globally, which is Netflix’s standard practice for original series releases.
Where to Watch Mousetrap
Mousetrap streams exclusively on Netflix worldwide. The series will be available in all regions where Netflix operates.
The show is a Netflix Original Korean series, meaning it receives global distribution through the platform simultaneously. Viewers need an active Netflix subscription to watch.
To watch Mousetrap on release day:
- Open the Netflix app or website
- Search for “Mousetrap”
- The series page will appear with all episodes available
- Select the first episode to start watching
Netflix typically adds new original series at midnight Pacific Time. The platform automatically adjusts the release time to each user’s local time zone.
Episode Count and Release Schedule
Mousetrap consists of 10 episodes in total.
Netflix releases all episodes of its original series at once. Viewers can watch the entire season on August 28 without waiting for weekly episodes. This binge-release model allows audiences to experience the full story in one sitting.
Each episode runs approximately 50-60 minutes, which is standard for Korean drama series on Netflix.
Cast and Characters
The series features a strong lead cast with experienced Korean actors.
Ryu Jun Yeol leads the series as Moon Jae, a novelist who lives in isolation and has not left home in years. He uses a pen name and follows a solitary daily routine. Ryu Jun Yeol is known for his roles in “Revelations,” “The 8 Show,” and the “Alienoid” film series.
Sul Kyung Gu plays No Ja, a fierce loan shark who stops at nothing when it comes to money. Sul Kyung Gu has appeared in “Good News” and “Kill Boksoon.”
Lee Kyoo Hyung portrays Sun Yong, a detective chasing “The Rat.” Lee Kyoo Hyung is known for “Prison Playbook” and “Hi Bye, Mama!”
Other cast members include Lee Chae Yu, Lee Myung Hee, and Kang Myoung Soo in supporting roles.
Story Progresses – A Novelist Loses Everything
The story of Mousetrap centers on identity theft taken to an extreme level.
Moon Jae is a novelist who has lived as a recluse for years. He follows the same routine every day, rarely interacting with the outside world. His life seems stable until strange things start happening.
His fingerprint stops working on his phone. His passwords fail. One by one, everything that proves his identity slips away. He loses access to his money, his name, and any way to prove who he is.
Moon Jae discovers that someone calling himself “The Rat” has been planning this for a long time. This mysterious figure has stolen his entire identity – his name, his face, his fortune.
The situation becomes more desperate because Moon Jae has lived in seclusion for years. Even the people who once knew him do not recognize him anymore. He cannot prove he is the real Moon Jae.
The tagline for the series captures this dilemma: “Prove I’m real, or I’m the imposter.”
To reclaim his life, Moon Jae forms an unlikely alliance with No Ja, a loan shark who has been looking for him for three years over unpaid debts. No Ja runs a private detective agency and works to track down information for clients.
Together, they hunt for “The Rat.” The pursuit blurs the line between reality and deception, with deeper hidden truths emerging along the way.
No Ja tells Moon Jae: > “This is a messed-up game where you have to find yourself.”
The teaser trailer ends with an eerie voice from “The Rat” asking: > “Who am I? Aren’t you curious?”
Production Team
Mousetrap brings together experienced creators from the Korean entertainment industry.
Kim Hong Sun directs the series. He previously directed “Dear Hongrang” and “Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area” for Netflix.
Lee Jae Gon wrote the screenplay. He previously wrote “A Model Family” (2022) for Netflix and the KBS2 series “Manhole” (2017).
The series is based on the webtoon “Field Mouse” by Ludovico, which was serialized on Kakao Webtoon from 2017 to 2020.
Why You Should Watch Mousetrap
Mousetrap offers several reasons to add it to your watchlist for August 28.
Unique Premise – The show takes identity theft to a terrifying level. A man loses not just his money but his entire existence. Someone else claims to be him. The concept is fresh and unsettling.
Strong Lead Performances – Ryu Jun Yeol and Sul Kyung Gu are both respected actors with proven track records. Their on-screen dynamic as an unlikely duo – a victim and his former pursuer – creates compelling tension.
Psychological Thriller Elements – The series explores questions about identity, reality, and deception. The line between who is real and who is fake becomes blurred. This psychological depth adds layers beyond a simple chase thriller.
Korean Folklore Inspiration – The show draws from the Korean folktale about a rat that eats fingernails and transforms into that person. This cultural element gives the story a unique foundation.
Binge-Ready Format – All 10 episodes release at once on Netflix. Viewers can watch the complete story without waiting weeks between episodes.
Proven Creative Team – Director Kim Hong Sun and writer Lee Jae Gon have experience with successful genre projects. Their previous work suggests strong execution.
Global Accessibility – As a Netflix Original, Mousetrap reaches audiences worldwide on the same day. No regional delays or complicated access requirements.
The teaser trailer and poster have already generated attention since their release on July 31. The tagline “Prove I’m real, or I’m the imposter” has sparked curiosity about how Moon Jae will reclaim his stolen identity.
Mousetrap premieres August 28, 2026, exclusively on Netflix. All 10 episodes will be available globally at 12:00 AM PT.
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