A reclusive novelist and the loan shark who once hunted him down are about to become unlikely allies — and the target this time is something far more dangerous than an unpaid debt. Mousetrap brings a beloved Korean webtoon to Netflix this August, pairing two of Korea’s most respected actors in a mystery thriller that’s already generating real buzz ahead of release.
Overview
Mousetrap (들쥐, literally “Field Mouse,” also known by its working title The Rat) is a 2026 South Korean Netflix original thriller series directed by Kim Hong-sun, adapted from the webtoon Field Mouse by Ludovico, with Lee Jae-gon writing the screenplay. It stars Ryu Jun-yeol as Je Mun-jae, a reclusive writer living under a pen name whose quiet, secluded life is upended by a single phone call, and Sul Kyung-gu as a loan shark who once hunted him down — the two forming an unlikely alliance to track a mysterious figure known only as “the Rat,” who’s stolen everything from Je Mun-jae.
Basic Details
| Details | Info. |
|---|---|
| Genre | Thriller, Mystery |
| Episodes | 10 |
| Episode Runtime | ~50 minutes |
| Director | Kim Hong-sun |
| Based On | The webtoon Field Mouse by Ludovico |
| Cast | Ryu Jun-yeol, Sul Kyung-gu |
| Filming Period | Mid-April 2025 – November 2025 |
| Release Date | August 28, 2026 |
| Where to Watch | Netflix |
| IMDb Rating | Not yet available — series has not premiered |
| Expected Season | Season 1 (10 episodes); no second season confirmed yet |
What We Know About the Plot
Je Mun-jae is a writer who’s withdrawn from the world, living in seclusion and known publicly only by his pen name. That carefully guarded quiet is shattered the moment his phone rings, unraveling a life he thought was safely hidden away. The call sets him on a collision course with someone from his past: a loan shark who once relentlessly hunted him down over unpaid debts. Against all odds, the two form an uneasy alliance, joining forces to track down a mysterious figure known only as “the Rat” — someone who has stolen everything from Je Mun-jae and left him with nothing to lose.
Why You Should Be Excited
- Strong source material. The original webtoon Field Mouse by Ludovico has a dedicated following, giving this adaptation a built-in, invested audience.
- A distinctive, layered premise. Rather than a straightforward pursuit story, the unlikely alliance between a reclusive writer and the loan shark who once hunted him adds real narrative texture beyond a typical thriller setup.
- A director with genre experience. Kim Hong-sun brings a background suited to mystery and suspense storytelling to the project.
Since the series hasn’t premiered yet, there’s no verdict on quality — just genuine anticipation built on its cast, source material, and premise. The official trailer has already generated attention, and the title itself shifted from “The Rat” to “Mousetrap” as marketing ramped up, suggesting the creative team wanted a title with broader, more suspenseful appeal.
Recommendations
While counting down to August 28, here’s what pairs well with the anticipation:
- My Name — For another tightly plotted Korean thriller built around a protagonist pursuing those who wronged them.
- A Shop for Killers — Another Korean thriller blending a hidden criminal underworld with a central mystery figure.
- Flower of Evil — For more of Korean television’s talent for psychological tension between morally complex characters.
- Stranger — A cerebral Korean crime thriller for fans who want smart, slow-burn plotting.
- Vincenzo — For a lighter take on unlikely alliances forming against dangerous adversaries.
Conclusion
Mousetrap is positioning itself as one of Netflix’s more intriguing Korean thriller releases of the year, pairing two acclaimed leads with a distinctive premise rooted in a well-regarded webtoon. Whether it lives up to that promise will become clear when it premieres on August 28, 2026, but between the cast, source material, and genuinely unique setup, this is one to keep on your radar.