Ko Hyun-jung plays serial killer mom in ‘Queen Mantis’

Actors Ko Hyun-jung, right, and Jang Dong-yoon pose during a press conference for SBS drama "Queen Mantis" at the the broadcater's headquarters in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

Veteran actor Ko Hyun-jung transforms into a chilling serial killer in the upcoming SBS crime "Queen Mantis."

Premiering on Friday, the series showcases Ko as Yi-shin, a mother who, 20 years prior, brutally murdered five men and earned the sinister nickname the Mantis. Now imprisoned and estranged from her son, Yi-shin remains an enigmatic and complex figure that audiences will find both terrifying and captivating.

Ko described her character as more than just a cold-blooded killer.

“While the brutality of Yi-shin’s murders is certainly striking, the real intrigue lies in uncovering the reasons behind her descent into violence. That’s where the story’s true depth and suspense lie,” said the actor during a press conference at the broadcater's headquarters in Yangcheon District, Seoul, Thursday.

"This was a script that required intense preparation and a type of role I hadn't played before. Previously, in 'Mask Girl,' the character was split between three actresses, so my screen time was limited. This opportunity felt like a personal breakthrough."

When she learned that acclaimed director Byun Young-joo would helm the project, Ko said she immediately wanted to be part of it.

"There was no hesitation — I wanted to work under Byun's direction in this thriller genre, which any actor would crave," the 54-year-old said.

Set two decades after the capture of the notorious serial killer Yi-shin, "Queen Mantis" unfolds as a high-stakes thriller where a series of copycat murders forces a reluctant detective — Yi-shin’s estranged son — to join forces with the very mother and killer he’s long despised. Jang Dong-yoon stars as Soo-yeol, the conflicted detective.

Ko Hyun-jung in a scene from the SBS crime thriller "Queen Mantis" /Courtesy of SBS

Asked about portraying the difficult coexistence of motherhood and murder, Ko said, "It's a tough balance, but I think the character is closer to Yi-shin than to the mother figure. I trusted the director to guide me on when to dial up or down the performance intensity. Acting with that trust helped me bring the character to life authentically."

Byun revealed that as soon as she read the script, Ko came to her mind.

"I felt she could deliver a face and presence unlike anything I'd imagined. Offering her the role felt like the best decision of the year," Byun said.

The director describes the drama as fundamentally "a story about a son suffering because of his mother," emphasizing it is not simply about the perpetrator but about those striving to end the cycle of victimhood.

Jang, who plays the detective son, highly praised Ko’s performance.

"I have always considered Ko to be a true legend — an all-time great whose work I deeply respect and eagerly anticipate. I was genuinely curious about how she would portray a serial killer. Once we were together on set, her performance exceeded even my highest expectations," Jang said.

"There were moments during shooting when chills ran down my spine. Drawing on that energy pushed me to focus more intently on my own acting, and it was a joy and privilege to share that creative rhythm as a fellow actor."

For Ko, "Queen Mantis" carries special meaning. After a brief health setback, she returned to the screen with renewed passion, describing the project as "not just my work, but ours," and hoping it reaches a broad audience.

The series premieres on SBS on Friday at 9:50 p.m.