Lee Sun-kyun, Yoo Jae-myung to lead mystery thriller series 'No Way Out'

By Kwak Yeon-soo

Lee Sun-kyun and Yoo Jae-myung will lead the new mystery thriller series “No Way Out,” which will begin filming in October.

The upcoming series follows Kim Gook-ho (Yoo), a serial killer who is freed after spending 13 years in jail. He is hunted by civilians after a mysterious crime stopper offers a reward of 20 billion won ($15 million) for the murder of the recently released criminal.

Lee plays the role of Baek Joong-sik, a police officer who has to prevent Kim from being killed by bounty hunters, while Yoo portrays Kim, dubbed the “axis of evil.”

The series is helmed by director Choi Kook-hee, known for his previous works “Split” (2016), “Default” (2018) and “Life is Beautiful” (2022). The script is written by Lee Soo-jin who wrote the screenplay for “The Devil's Deal” (2023). It is produced by LG U+'s video content brand Studio X+U with TwinFilm.

“We will continue to produce works that can deliver fun and excitement to viewers through fast-paced story and iconic actors,” an LG U+ official, who oversees Studio X+U, said in a statement.

Lee has been very busy with all the acting roles he has had in recent years. The “Parasite” actor played the role of a narcissistic billionaire in “Killing Romance” and is set to appear in the horror drama film “Sleep” as well as the disaster thriller “Project Silence,” both of which were invited to the 76th Cannes Film Festival. He also appeared in SBS' series “Payback” and tvN reality show “The Most Private Asia” this year.

Yoo, who rose to international fame through JTBC's “Itaewon Class” and tvN's “Vincenzo,” is set to star in “Song of the Bandits,” which will arrive on Netflix in September. He will also appear in the sci-fi blockbuster “In Search of the King” alongside Koo Kyo-hwan and Seohyun.

Actors Kim Mu-yul and Lee Kwang-soo also star in “No Way Out.” Kim plays Lee Sang-ho, a lawyer who defends the serial killer, while Lee Kwang-soo portrays Yoon Chang-jae, a butcher who tries to get back his lost money.

Kim was most recently seen in “The Devil's Deal” and is poised to play the villain in the crime action film “The Roundup: Punishment,” the fourth installment of “The Outlaws” series. Lee starred in tvN drama “The Killer's Shopping List” as well as Disney+'s “The Zone: Survival Mission” and Netflix's “Busted!” series.

The release date and the network that will pick up the series have not yet been decided.