With a chilling premise, powerhouse casting, and a script that crackles with psychological tension, the scene is set for one of 2025’s most anticipated K-dramas, Queen Mantis!
Slated to premiere on September 5, the series takes a bold leap into uncharted territory: What happens when a detective must team up with the very serial killer he’s hated his entire life—his mother?
Written by Lee Young-jong and directed by Byun Young-joo, Queen Mantis begins twenty years after South Korea’s most brutal serial killer, nicknamed “The Mantis,” was caught. When a copycat killer emerges, the unresolved past claws its way into the present, forcing young detective Cha Soo-yeol (Jang Dong Yoon) to partner with the last person he ever wanted to see again—his estranged mother and the original “Mantis,” Jeong Yi-shin (Go Hyun Jung).
This layered mother-son dynamic isn’t just dramatic—it’s explosive. The pair must work together to stop a new wave of killings while untangling a web of unresolved trauma, secrets, and a shared legacy soaked in blood.
At the official script reading held on August 4, the atmosphere was anything but ordinary. Present were director Byun Young-joo, writer Lee Young-jong, the production crew, and the cast—including Go Hyun Jung, Jang Dong Yoon, Jo Sung Ha, and Lee El—all of whom dove into their roles with razor-sharp focus.
Go Hyun Jung’s transformation was nothing short of haunting. Returning to the small screen as a female serial killer, Go delivered a performance that was both magnetic and bone-chilling. With every line, stare, and calculated breath, she effortlessly embodied Jeong Yi-shin—a woman both feared and hated, yet eerily captivating. Her control of character left the room stunned, with staff and cast alike praising her ability to fully disappear into a role.
Meanwhile, Jang Dong Yoon unveiled a new side of himself—gritty, wounded, and emotionally raw. As the tortured Cha Soo-yeol, a detective torn between justice and filial trauma, Jang captured both the sharp intellect and the deep emotional scarring of a man facing his worst nightmare. His dynamic range and emotional depth signaled a dramatic evolution in his acting career.
Chemistry That Defies Genre—and Biology
But what truly stole the spotlight was the intense chemistry between Go Hyun Jung and Jang Dong Yoon. This wasn’t the typical mother-son warmth; it was complex, charged, and dripping with psychological tension. In every exchanged glance and loaded silence, the two actors hinted at a painful backstory and an uneasy alliance that will likely keep viewers glued to the screen.
The script reading also showcased strong performances from supporting cast members Jo Sung-ha and Lee El, who both play senior officers from the South Jeolla Violent Crimes Investigation Unit. Jo Sung-ha brought a nuanced performance as Chief Choi Joong-ho, balancing command with humanity, while Lee El’s razor-sharp delivery and commanding presence as investigator Kim Na-hee instantly elevated the room’s energy.
Behind the scenes, director Byun and writer Lee showed why they’re being hailed as a dream creative duo. From pacing to tone, their meticulous attention to detail helped shape an immersive world where no moment is wasted, and every line matters.
The room buzzed with anticipation as the actors gave it their all—no signs of fatigue, no breaks in focus. It felt less like a read-through and more like a full-blown performance. It’s this kind of synergy, passion, and early commitment that hints at something truly special brewing.
Featuring a shocking premise, a killer cast, and the palpable energy shown during the first script reading, Queen Mantis is shaping up to be an intense psychological rollercoaster—equal parts thriller, family drama, and moral reckoning.
Tune in to SBS starting Friday, September 5, at 9:50 PM, right after The Winning Try, and witness the drama that dares to ask: What if your worst enemy was the person who gave you life?
Photos: SBS
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