Ko Hyun-jung transforms into serial killer in SBS crime thriller ‘Queen Mantis’
Ko Hyun-jung takes on the role of a serial killer in SBS drama “Queen Mantis.” Courtesy of SBS
Actor Ko Hyun-jung will make her TV comeback as a chilling serial killer in SBS’s crime thriller “Queen Mantis,” teaming up with director Byun Young-joo, known for “Helpless” and “Ardor.”
The drama, which premieres Friday, has already drawn attention for Ko’s bold transformation and the heavyweight creative team behind it.
Byun, acclaimed for her ability to combine gripping storytelling with sharp emotional detail, takes the helm in her first drama project.
The script was written by Lee Young-jong, who penned the hit film “12.12: The Day,” which attracted more than 13 million moviegoers. Lee, also credited with works including “Black House,” “Private Eye” and “Flu,” promises a tightly woven story full of shocking twists and reversals.
Set more than 20 years after a notorious serial killer known as the “Mantis” was caught, the drama follows a string of copycat murders that force a detective to work with his estranged mother — the very killer he has hated all his life.
Ko plays the mother, Jung I-shin, while Jang Dong-yoon takes on the role of her son, the detective. Their tense alliance forms the core of the high-stakes thriller.
The title “Queen Mantis” comes from Ko’s character, who brutally killed five men, all suspected of abusing women or children. Like the female mantis that devours the male after mating, Jung becomes known by the chilling moniker.
The subtitle “Killer on the Loose” underscores the drama’s central storyline, where the imprisoned murderer is temporarily released to help solve a crime that mirrors her own past atrocities.
Actor Ko Hyun-jung in "Queen Mantis" / Courtesy of SBS
Ko said the role required her to approach performance in a new way. “To maximize the appeal of a high-density crime thriller, I felt it was important to spark curiosity about Jung I-shin,” she said.
“Instead of conveying emotions or sincerity directly through expressions, I wanted to highlight subtle details that would keep viewers trapped in doubt. I worked closely with Director Byun to capture those nuances.”
Ko’s casting has already sparked significant buzz, with viewers eager to see how she embodies a character both terrifying and morally ambiguous.
With its combination of a symbolic title, a gripping premise and the collaboration of two respected veterans — Byun in direction and Ko in performance — “Queen Mantis” is shaping up to be one of the most highly anticipated thrillers of the season.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.