Netflix has officially announced the production of its upcoming webtoon-based thriller The Rat, starring acclaimed actors Ryu Jun Yeol (Reply 1988, The 8 Show) and Sul Kyung Gu (Kill Boksoon, Hyper Knife). The series, adapted from the popular Kakao webtoon of the same name, promises a gripping tale of identity theft and revenge.
On Tuesday (May 20), Netflix confirmed the new thriller The Rat by sharing script reading photos of the lead actors.
Plot Overview
It follows the story of a reclusive novelist, Mun Jae (Ryu Jun Yeol), whose life unravels when his phone’s fingerprint recognition suddenly fails, and his closest friend vanishes without a trace. As Mun struggles to prove his own identity, he discovers that a shadowy figure known only as “The Rat” has stolen everything—his name, property, and even his place in the world. Teaming up with No Ja (Sul Kyung Gu), a hardened loan shark with his own motives, Mun Jae embarks on a dangerous quest to reclaim his life.
The story draws loose inspiration from a traditional Korean folktale, “A Rat Becomes Human After Eating Fingernails,” reimagined as a modern thriller where the line between reality and illusion collapses.
Cast and Characters
Ryu Jun Yeol as Mun Jae
Ryu Jun Yeol takes on the role of Mun Jae, a reclusive novelist grappling with severe social anxiety. His character’s meticulously quiet life shatters when an enigmatic figure known as “The Rat” steals his identity, finances, and even his ability to prove who he is.
Ryu is known for his transformative performances in The 8 Show, Reply 1988, and films like The Night Owl and Alienoid.
Sul Kyung Gu as No Ja
Opposite Ryu Jun Yeol, veteran actor Sul Kyung Gu portrays No Ja, a ruthless loan shark who operates a private detective agency. No Ja was previously pursuing Mun Jae over an unpaid debt, however, his quest takes a twisted turn when the novelist reappears after three years, seeking help to expose “The Rat.” In brief, No is a morally complex anti-hero.
Sul’s filmography includes Hyper Knife and A Normal Family, Phantom, The Whirlwind, and more.
Production Team
The Rat marks Netflix’s latest venture into webtoon adaptations, following hits like Sweet Home and All of Us Are Dead. The original webtoon is a fan-favorite for its dark narrative.
Kim Dong Sun (Dear Hongrang, Money Heist: Korea) is at the helm, while the script is penned by Ludovico (webcomic) and Lee Jae Gon (Manhole, A Model Family).
Meanwhile, The Rat starring Ryu Jun Yeol and Sul Kyung Gu, is set for an exclusive Netflix release, likely in 2026.
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