ReviewKo Hyun-jung commands screen with bone-chilling performance in 'Queen Mantis'
Ko Hyun-jung is seen in SBS drama "Queen Mantis" / Courtesy of SBS
Veteran actor Ko Hyun-jung, once a symbol of elegance, undergoes a chilling metamorphosis in "Queen Mantis," captivating viewers with her piercing gaze and enigmatic expressions as she embodies a cold-blooded serial killer.
In the SBS thriller that premiered Friday, she steps into the role of Jung Yi-shin — a convicted murderer nicknamed the Mantis, who mirrors the predatory instincts of the praying mantis while choosing victims who have abused women or children. This duality makes her a monstrous villain to some, and to others, a twisted symbol of justice.
From its very first scenes, Ko's unadorned presence — eschewing both makeup and camera filters — delivers an uncanny, suffocating tension that goes beyond words.
The story begins 23 years after Yi-shin is first captured. An investigation into copycat crimes inspired by her past killings leads authorities to seek help from her as she serves her prison sentence. She agreeds to cooperate on two conditions: that the meetings take place not in prison but in a designated residence where she can be confined and that all communication occurs exclusively through her son, detective Soo-yeol (Jang Dong-yoon).
Scenes from SBS drama "Queen Mantis" / Courtesy of SBS
Soo-yeol, who harbors a lifelong resentment of his mother, initially resists but ultimately agrees to meet Yi-shin to prevent further murders. After two decades, the mother-son reunion is far from harmonious. Soo-yeol suppresses his anger, speaking coldly, while Yi-shin initially shows signs of wavering before fully embracing her dark identity as a killer rather than a mother.
Their charged encounter sets the stage for a tense psychological drama, exploring themes of family, trauma and the blurred lines between love and hatred in the shadow of violence.
Yi-shin's sparse, chilling dialogue intensifies the suspense. When discussing murder, she cannot hide her thrill, provocatively taunting her son and saying, "Do you dislike the smell of blood? I love it. It's the scent you brought into this world with you."
"Queen Mantis" is a gripping psychological drama as much as it is a crime thriller. Visiting a crime scene in person, Yi-shin plays music on a turntable and immerses herself in the details, just as she did 23 years ago. For a moment, her bizarre expression and excitement seem as if recalling her past murders, while her son swallows his anger, unable to find any clues.
Poster for SBS drama "Queen Mantis" / Courtesy of SBS
The second episode’s closing scene shows her opening a ventilation grate in the ceiling, retrieving a leaf hidden in her mouth and feeding it to insects while wearing a sinister smile — leaving viewers wondering about her eerie fascination with insects and what dark secrets lie beneath her calm exterior.
This eight-part Friday-Saturday drama has made a striking debut. Fueled by actor Ko's powerful performance, the series plunges audiences into a tense, unpredictable psychological game lasting the episode's full 60 minutes.
Throughout the show, viewers are prompted to grapple with the haunting question — why do people become monsters?
Currently available for streaming on Netflix, "Queen Mantis" ranked within the top 10 TV shows in 16 countries and held the No. 1 spot in Korea for two consecutive days, reflecting its broad international appeal and strong domestic following, according to FlixPatrol's data, released on Sunday.