Netflix's 'Mousetrap' Starring Ryu Jun-yeol Lands at No. 8 Worldwide After Debut

The Netflix series "Mousetrap," starring Korean actor Ryu Jun-yeol, has broken into the global top 10 just days after its release. The mystery thriller landed at No. 8 on Netflix's global TV show ranking on August 30, according to the streaming data site FlixPatrol. The show premiered globally on August 28, meaning it climbed the chart in only three days.

"Mousetrap" is a modern take on the Korean folktale "The Field Mouse That Ate Fingernails." The story follows Moon-jae, a reclusive novelist whose name, face, and life are stolen by a mysterious figure known only as the "mousetrap." What unfolds is his hunt to take back everything he lost. The cast includes Ryu Jun-yeol alongside Sol Kyung-gu and Lee Kyu-hyung.

The role marks a first for Ryu Jun-yeol, who is represented by agency Galaxy Corporation. He plays two characters for the first time in his career, moving between Moon-jae and the mysterious figure who wears his face. Reviewers have pointed to how he separates the two through small shifts in his eyes, voice, and manner, giving the show much of its tension.

The quick global response is notable because the story is rooted in a Korean folktale. A show built on a Korean IP and carried by Ryu Jun-yeol's performance is finding an international audience almost immediately.

"Ryu Jun-yeol keeps taking on new characters and new genres, and that is opening more doors with global viewers," a Galaxy Corporation representative said. "Starting with 'Mousetrap,' we will actively support his global work and his push into different kinds of content."

"Mousetrap" runs 10 episodes and is currently streaming worldwide on Netflix.