Cat-and-mouse game in K-drama Mousetrap

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, September 3, 2026

South Korean actor Ryu Jun-yeol stars in *Mousetrap*, a new Netflix drama about a man whose life is upended when a mouse that consumes his fingernail clippings becomes his identical imposter. The series delves into complex themes of identity and self-perception through a suspenseful plot grounded in realistic, flawed characters.

A new South Korean drama series titled *Mousetrap* draws inspiration from a traditional folktale about the dangers of discarding fingernail clippings carelessly. According to the story, a mouse that consumes these clippings is able to transform into an identical copy of the person they came from. The series expands on this premise, imagining a darker narrative where a man’s life is thrown into turmoil after such a transformation occurs.

The show stars Ryu Jun-yeol as Moon-jae, a reclusive writer whose identity is stolen by a mysterious double that begins impersonating him. The doppelgänger disrupts Moon-jae’s personal and financial life, setting off a suspenseful cat-and-mouse plot. Ryu discussed the series in a press conference held recently in Seoul, describing it as an exploration of identity and the philosophical questions surrounding the self.

“This story is not just about excitement or entertainment,” Ryu said. “It raises questions about how we prove who we are, whether our perceived identity actually reflects our true self, and how we differentiate ourselves from others.” He emphasized that the show relies heavily on nuanced acting to distinguish between Moon-jae and the mouse-turned-impersonator, focusing on subtle personality traits and mannerisms rather than drastic physical changes.

Ryu noted the challenges of portraying two identical-looking characters with fundamentally different personalities and highlighted the creative choices made alongside the director to convey these differences convincingly. He also mentioned the inclusion of moments where the two characters communicate in ways designed to intrigue attentive viewers.

Joining Ryu is veteran actor Sul Kyung-gu, who plays No-ja, a loan shark hunting Moon-jae for an overdue debt. Sul characterized the series as grounded in realism, with no supernatural heroes or special powers, but driven by flawed and complex characters who propel the story forward. “The characters may seem somewhat empty or lacking in certain ways,” Sul said, “but it’s interesting to see how they ultimately drive the story.” He described *Mousetrap* as an immersive tale that keeps audiences guessing and searching for the truth.

* Mousetrap* is based on a popular webtoon titled *The Rat Trap* and is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

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