Netflix’s next big K-drama thriller has a release date. “Mousetrap,” starring Ryu Jun-yeol, premieres globally on Netflix on August 18, 2026, and it’s already being called one of the platform’s most anticipated Korean releases of the month.
What “Mousetrap” Is About
Based on a popular webtoon, “Mousetrap” follows a reclusive writer whose entire identity is stolen by a mysterious figure known only as “The Rat.” What begins as an identity theft mystery escalates into a tense cat-and-mouse game between the writer and his impersonator, with the show built around uncovering exactly who “The Rat” is and why he chose this particular victim. Ryu Jun-yeol leads the cast in the central role, bringing his range from prior acclaimed dramas and films to a premise that leans heavily on psychological tension.
Why This Release Matters
Netflix has increasingly leaned on Korean thrillers to anchor its global content slate, and “Mousetrap” arrives with a premise built for the kind of binge-friendly mystery format that’s worked well for the platform’s past K-drama hits. A recognizable lead like Ryu Jun-yeol paired with a webtoon source material already popular among Korean readers gives the show a built-in audience heading into release, while the identity-theft hook offers an easy entry point for viewers unfamiliar with the source material.
The show also lands in a month already packed with Korean content on Netflix, joining other August releases as part of the platform’s ongoing push to keep a steady drumbeat of K-drama premieres throughout the year rather than clustering them around a single season.
What to Expect From the Premiere
As a straight-to-Netflix release, all episodes of “Mousetrap” are expected to drop at once on August 18, following the platform’s standard binge-release model for its Korean original series. Expect the marketing rollout in the days leading up to launch to lean into the show’s central mystery — withholding “The Rat’s” identity as its core hook — with character posters and teaser clips likely to trickle out over the next week.
Fans of Ryu Jun-yeol’s past work will also be watching to see how he balances the show’s darker psychological elements against the more grounded, humanizing performances he’s known for, a contrast that early buzz suggests is central to what makes his casting here notable.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does “Mousetrap” release on Netflix?
“Mousetrap” premieres globally on Netflix on August 18, 2026.
Who stars in “Mousetrap”?
Ryu Jun-yeol leads the cast as a reclusive writer whose identity is stolen by a mysterious figure known as “The Rat.”
What is “Mousetrap” based on?
The series is based on a popular webtoon and follows a cat-and-mouse identity theft mystery.
For more new K-drama release dates, check out ShowPulp’s Korean entertainment coverage.
{
“@context”: “https://schema.org”,
“@type”: “FAQPage”,
“mainEntity”: [
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “When does “Mousetrap” release on Netflix?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “”Mousetrap” premieres globally on Netflix on August 18, 2026.”
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “Who stars in “Mousetrap”?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “Ryu Jun-yeol leads the cast as a reclusive writer whose identity is stolen by a mysterious figure known as “The Rat.””
}
},
{
“@type”: “Question”,
“name”: “What is “Mousetrap” based on?”,
“acceptedAnswer”: {
“@type”: “Answer”,
“text”: “The series is based on a popular webtoon and follows a cat-and-mouse identity theft mystery.”
}
}
]
}
