SBS’s new Friday-Saturday drama 'Queen Mantis' (written by Lee Young-jong, directed by Byun Young-joo) kicks off at 9:50 p.m. KST. Set more than 20 years after the capture of the notorious serial killer known as “Mantis,” a chilling copycat emerges―forcing a detective to team up with the last person he ever imagined: his mother, the original Mantis. The result is a tightly coiled, high-pressure crime thriller.
This fall, 'Queen Mantis' is poised to jolt prime time with shock and suspense. Ahead of the premiere, here’s why it belongs on your watchlist.
# Ko Hyun-jung Unleashes a Career-Defining Turn as 'Mantis'
Beloved for her singular presence and powerhouse performances, Ko Hyun-jung embodies the serial killer who murdered five men―balancing icy elegance with hair-raising menace. Expect a screen-commanding turn that reminds you why she’s a bona fide icon.
# Jang Dong-yoon’s Bold Transformation: Sharper Edge, Deeper Range
Often cast for his gentle charm, Jang Dong-yoon returns as a detective who will throw his body on the line to stop the killing. He dives into bruising action and a wide emotional spectrum, pairing new-found grit with magnetic intensity.
# A Serial-Killer Mom and a Detective Son: A Dynamic You Can’t Look Away From
Ko Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon meet as a serial-killer mother and her detective son―an instantly electric pairing. To capture that volatile bond, the two pushed hard and matched each other beat for beat; word from set is their scenes often drew spontaneous applause. Expect a mother-son story that’s both eerily similar and achingly at odds.
# Director Byun Young-joo x Writer Lee Young-jong: A Dream-Team Return to SBS’s Friday-Saturday Thriller Slot
Director Byun Young-joo ('Helpless') joins forces with writer Lee Young-jong ('12.12: The Day'). With this genre dream team in place, 'Queen Mantis' promises razor-sharp plotting and stylish, absorbing execution. Look for SBS’s hit Friday-Saturday lineup to reassert its thriller mojo.
# From Veterans Jo Sung-ha and Lee El to Breakout Newcomers: No Weak Links
As a high-intensity crime thriller, the show lives and dies on performance―and this cast comes loaded. Trusted heavy-hitters Jo Sung-ha and Lee El anchor the ensemble, while newcomers who battled through competitive auditions bring fresh firepower. Across generations, there’s not a soft spot in sight.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)