Netflix’s Mousetrap (들쥐) is one of the most intriguing Korean mystery thrillers of 2026.
Released globally on Netflix on August 28, 2026, the 10-episode limited series stars Ryu Jun-yeol, Sul Kyung-gu and Lee Kyoo-hyung in a dark story about identity theft, memory, deception and a mysterious figure known as “The Rat.”
But Mousetrap has something that makes it particularly interesting to Korean viewers.
The story is inspired by an old Korean folktale about a field mouse that eats a person’s clipped fingernails and transforms into that person. Netflix confirms that this Korean folktale is the starting point for the series.
That cultural background makes Mousetrap much more than a conventional identity-theft thriller.
Mousetrap K-Drama Cast and Characters
Ryu Jun-yeol as Je Moon-jae
Ryu Jun-yeol plays Je Moon-jae, a genius novelist who lives almost completely isolated from society.
His carefully controlled life begins to collapse when his fingerprint suddenly stops unlocking his phone, his passwords no longer work and he gradually discovers that his identity, money and even his name are being taken away from him.
Eventually, another person appears claiming his identity.
Moon-jae now faces an almost impossible question:
How do you prove that you are really you?
Ryu Jun-yeol previously appeared in Netflix titles including Revelations and The 8 Show.
Sul Kyung-gu as Noja
Sul Kyung-gu plays Noja, a ruthless loan shark who initially pursues Moon-jae because of money.
But the two eventually form an unlikely alliance.
Noja becomes one of the central figures in Moon-jae’s attempt to discover who stole his identity and uncover the truth behind “The Rat.”
The relationship between the frightened, isolated writer and the intimidating loan shark is one of the most unusual dynamics in the series.
Lee Kyoo-hyung as Park Sun-yong
Lee Kyoo-hyung plays detective Park Sun-yong.
While Moon-jae and Noja pursue The Rat from one direction, Sun-yong investigates the strange case from the perspective of law enforcement.
As the investigation progresses, however, Sun-yong discovers disturbing connections involving his own past.
What Is Mousetrap K-Drama About?
The basic premise sounds simple.
Someone steals Moon-jae’s identity.
But this isn’t ordinary online identity theft.
The mysterious person known as The Rat takes virtually everything that defines Moon-jae’s existence—his identity, property and place in society.
Even worse, Moon-jae has spent years living as a recluse.
That means relatively few people can personally confirm who he really is.
The person pretending to be Moon-jae can therefore appear more convincing to the outside world than the real Moon-jae himself.
Netflix describes the story as a chase thriller in which Moon-jae, Noja and detective Sun-yong pursue the true identity of The Rat.
The Korean Folktale Behind Mousetrap
This is something international viewers may easily miss.
The Korean title of the drama is 들쥐, meaning “field mouse.”
There is an old Korean folktale in which a mouse eats a person’s discarded fingernail clippings and takes on that person’s appearance.
The Netflix series transforms that disturbing old idea into a modern question about identity:
What happens if another person can become a more convincing version of you than you are?
Netflix itself highlighted this folktale when introducing the series before its premiere.
For international viewers, knowing this background makes the title and the central mystery much easier to understand.
How Many Episodes Does Mousetrap Have?
Mousetrap has 10 episodes.
It is officially listed by Netflix as a Limited Series, rather than a conventional multi-season drama.
Approximate episode lengths are:
| Episode | Runtime |
|---|---|
| Episode 1 | 56 min |
| Episode 2 | 56 min |
| Episode 3 | 50 min |
| Episode 4 | 58 min |
| Episode 5 | 55 min |
| Episode 6 | 60 min |
| Episode 7 | 63 min |
| Episode 8 | 55 min |
| Episode 9 | 49 min |
| Episode 10 | 64 min |
All 10 episodes are currently listed on Netflix.
Is Mousetrap on Netflix?
Yes.
Mousetrap premiered globally on Netflix on August 28, 2026.
Netflix currently lists the series with Korean original audio as well as English audio and English subtitles, making it particularly accessible to international viewers.
Is Mousetrap Based on a Webtoon?
Yes.
Netflix categorizes Mousetrap as a K-drama based on a webtoon, and Netflix’s official announcement identifies the source as the webtoon Field Mouse.
That source material itself draws on the unsettling Korean field-mouse folktale, giving the drama multiple layers: Korean folklore → webtoon → Netflix thriller.
Is Mousetrap K-Drama Worth Watching?
If you enjoy psychological thrillers, identity mysteries, dark Korean dramas and stories filled with twists, Mousetrap is certainly worth considering.
The strongest element is its premise.
Instead of simply asking:
“Who is the criminal?”
Mousetrap asks something more disturbing:
“What if you could no longer prove who you are?”
Early critical reaction has been mixed but interesting. Decider recommended streaming the series and highlighted its gripping premise and performances, while another review praised the ending and psychological-horror elements but criticized the middle section for having too many twists.
So viewers who like straightforward thrillers may find parts of the story complicated.
But viewers who enjoyed darker Korean mystery dramas built around unreliable identities and repeated revelations may find plenty to enjoy.
Mousetrap Ending Explained
⚠️ Major spoilers for Episode 10 begin below.
This is the section I would not fully write yet unless we deliberately make the article spoiler-heavy.
There’s an SEO reason.
People searching:
mousetrap kdrama cast
should be able to enter this article without immediately encountering the ending.
At the same time, Search Console is already showing interest in:
mousetrap kdrama explained
So we should retain an ending section but clearly separate it with a spoiler warning.
For now I’d place this teaser:
The final episode brings Moon-jae to the center of a trap that has been built over many years, forcing the series to confront its central question of who is genuine, who is an impostor and who has really been manipulating the game. Netflix’s official Episode 10 description deliberately frames the conclusion around whether Moon-jae is the predator or the prey.
Then we can create a separate deep-dive article:
Mousetrap K-Drama Ending Explained: Who Is The Rat?
and internally link the two.
That is better SEO than stuffing the entire ending explanation into this article because we already have two different search intents showing up: cast and explained.
Mousetrap K-Drama Quick Facts
| Korean Title | 들쥐 |
| English Title | Mousetrap |
| Release Date | August 28, 2026 |
| Streaming | Netflix |
| Episodes | 10 |
| Format | Limited Series |
| Genre | Mystery, Crime, Psychological Thriller |
| Lead Cast | Ryu Jun-yeol, Sul Kyung-gu, Lee Kyoo-hyung |
| Director | Kim Hong-sun |
| Writer | Lee Jae-gon |
| Based On | Field Mouse webtoon / Korean field-mouse folktale |
FAQ
Who is in the Mousetrap K-drama cast?
The main Mousetrap cast includes Ryu Jun-yeol as Je Moon-jae, Sul Kyung-gu as Noja and Lee Kyoo-hyung as detective Park Sun-yong.
How many episodes are in Mousetrap?
There are 10 episodes in the Netflix limited series.
Is Mousetrap available on Netflix?
Yes. All 10 episodes are listed on Netflix, following its August 28, 2026 premiere.
What is Mousetrap called in Korean?
The Korean title is 들쥐 (Deuljwi), literally meaning “field mouse.”
Is Mousetrap based on a true story?
No. It is based on the webtoon Field Mouse, with its central idea drawing inspiration from a Korean folktale about a mouse taking human form after eating a person’s clipped fingernails.
Is Mousetrap worth watching?
It is most likely to appeal to viewers who enjoy dark psychological mysteries, Korean thrillers and identity-based stories with multiple twists. Critical reaction so far has praised the premise and performances while being more divided about the amount of plot twists.