Netflix is ready to bring a classic Korean folktale into the modern world with its upcoming thriller series Mousetrap. The show stars popular actor Ryu Jun-yeol in a challenging dual role. He plays a man whose entire life is stolen by a mysterious figure who looks exactly like him.
The streaming platform recently released new stills from the series. These images give viewers a closer look at the show’s creepy premise. One photo shows Ryu Jun-yeol‘s character clipping his fingernails. This simple act becomes the starting point for his worst nightmare. Other stills show the actor facing his lookalike across a barbed-wire fence. Both men have the same face but give off completely different feelings.
A Korean Folktale Turns Into a Modern Nightmare
Mousetrap takes its inspiration from the old Korean story “The Field Mouse That Ate a Fingernail”. In that tale, a mouse eats a person’s discarded nail clippings and turns into an exact copy of that person. The mouse then takes over the person’s life.
The drama brings this idea into today’s world. The show asks what happens when someone loses their identity in a society run by digital proof. Ryu Jun-yeol plays Moon Jae, a writer who lives away from the outside world. He keeps to himself and follows the same routine every day. But his quiet life falls apart when his phone stops recognizing his fingerprint. His passwords stop working. His only friend disappears. Soon, he finds out that someone called “The Rat” has taken his name, his face, and everything that proves who he is.
The Cast and Characters
The show brings together a strong group of actors. Sul Kyung-gu, a veteran actor with a 30-year career, plays Noja. Noja is a loan shark who wants his money back from Moon Jae. He gets pulled into the strange case while trying to find his lost cash.
Lee Kyu-hyung plays detective Sun Yong. The detective starts looking into the case after getting a mysterious tip. He finds himself unsure about who is real and who is fake as he gets closer to the truth.
The series has 10 episodes in total. Director Kim Hong-sun, known for shows like The Guest and Voice, is in charge of the project. The show is based on the popular webtoon Field Mouse written by Ludvico.
Ryu Jun-yeol on Playing Two Roles
For Ryu Jun-yeol, this drama marks his first time playing two characters in one project. He plays both Moon Jae, the victim, and The Rat, the person who steals his life.
At a press conference in Seoul on August 20, the actor talked about the challenges of this role. He said he spent a lot of time discussing with the director how to make the two versions of the same person feel different. Instead of making big changes, they focused on small details.
“I thought deeply about how I could convince audiences, since they know very well that the same actor is playing both roles,” Ryu Jun-yeol shared. “The conclusion was to differentiate the two characters through subtle differences in their personalities and gazes. The most noticeable difference is the voice.”
He compared this work to his film The Night Owl from 2022. In that movie, he had to convince viewers that his character was visually impaired even though he was not. For Mousetrap, he used a similar approach. He focused on small changes in facial expressions and personality rather than big, obvious differences.
Why the Story Matters Today
The show’s cast and crew believe the story hits close to home for modern viewers. Ryu Jun-yeol explained that the drama reflects today’s reality.
“I thought that the reality of modern society, where we have no choice but to define ourselves through a few things—outward appearance, identification cards, and the things around us that prove who we are—is well reflected in ‘Mousetrap,’” the actor said.
Sul Kyung-gu agreed with this view. He pointed out how easy it is for someone to be erased from society.
“There is something chilling about how easily a person can be socially erased when they are not authenticated within the notarization system. Being easily swayed by what is visible on the surface is a characteristic of modern society,” Sul Kyung-gu stated.
Lee Kyu-hyung added that the idea of identity theft feels very real today.
“I got chills thinking that, because of the overwhelming amount of personal information out there, someone could take my life away from me if they really set their mind to it,” he said.
Director Kim Hong-sun noted that similar things are already happening in real life. With more people living alone, he thinks the show’s events could actually happen.
What to Expect From the Show
The main trailer for Mousetrap shows Moon Jae‘s life falling apart piece by piece. The Rat appears with the same face as him. Soon, Moon Jae finds himself chased by Noja, who wants his money back. The two men end up forming an unlikely team to track down The Rat. Moon Jae wants his name back. Noja wants his money.
The trailer also shows detective Sun Yong getting confused about who is telling the truth. Action scenes in the trailer include hand-to-hand fights, shootouts, and car chases. The show mixes high-stakes action with mystery and suspense.
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Release Date and Where to Watch
Mousetrap will arrive on Netflix on August 28. The show will have 10 episodes. All episodes will come out on the same day. This means viewers can watch the whole story over the weekend.
The series will be available for audiences in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India, and other countries through Netflix. The streaming platform handles global distribution for all its original series.
The show’s title comes from the webtoon it is based on. The Korean title Deuljwi means “field mouse”. The English title Mousetrap fits the story of a trap set for the person who stole the main character’s life.
Fans of Ryu Jun-yeol can look forward to seeing him in a completely different kind of role. He is known for works like Reply 1988 and The 8 Show. In Mousetrap, he shows his range by playing two versions of the same person. The thriller aspect of the show promises to keep viewers guessing until the end.
Also Read: Hyeri Faces Backlash Over Real Estate Investments; Netizens Compare to Ryu Jun-yeol’s Past Scandal
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