What if your mother were a serial killer? And you had to work with her to catch the dangerous copycat? That’s the intriguing premise from the upcoming Korean drama “Queen Mantis,” also known as “The Mantis: Original Sin.” Set to premiere this September 2025, “Queen Mantis,” starring Go Hyun Jung and Jang Dong Yoon, will take you on a dark and intense ride. Discover the details of “Queen Mantis,” including its cast, characters, and more.
“Queen Mantis” Korean Drama 2025
The upcoming Korean drama “Queen Mantis,” also known as “The Mantis: Original Sin” (사마귀: 살인자의 외출), is a new thriller you can’t miss this year.
Director Byun Young-joo, known for her sharp directing style in the 2024 K-drama “Black Out,” helmed the series. The talented author Lee Young-jong, known for her massive hit, “12.12: The Day,” the highest-grossing film of 2023 in South Korea, which attracted over 10 million moviegoers, wrote the script.
Storyline
“Queen Mantis” is an intriguing mystery thriller. The story centers on Jung Yi-shin, a woman imprisoned for killing five men two decades ago. Her chilling nickname, the “Mantis,” comes from her brutal style and the dark symbolism of the female mantis, which devours the male after mating.
After many years, a new killer appears, mimicking her murders. The police have no choice but to bring Jung Yi-shin in to help. The catch? The lead detective assigned to the case is Cha Soo-yeol, Jung’s estranged son. He has resented her his whole life, yet now they must work together to stop a killer who copies her hauntingly precise methods.
This tense mother-son dynamic adds depth to the emotional layers of a fast-moving crime thriller. It’s a story about confronting a painful past, seeking truth, and wrestling with impossible trust.
“Queen Mantis” Cast
The cast is a major reason to watch.
Go Hyun-jung stars as Jung Yi-shin, the complex “Mantis.” She brings subtlety and intensity to a chilling role, portraying a character who feels no guilt but draws you into her dark mind.
Jang Dong-yoon plays Cha Soo-yeol, the detective torn between his duty and his painful family history.
Jo Sung-ha as Jung-ho, an officer who mentors Soo-yeol.
Lee El as Na-hee, a sharp female investigator.
Kim Bo-ra as Lee Jung-yeon, Soo-yeol’s wife.
Kim Tae-jung as Choi Hyuk, the youngest detective on the team.
Why Should You Watch “Queen Mantis” Korean Drama?
- Unique storyline: Unlike many K-dramas, this one focuses on a female serial killer. It also highlights the complex relationship between her and her detective son. It blends crime with emotional depth.
- Strong performances: Go Hyun-jung’s return in such a bold role is already sparking excitement. She captures the unsettling aura of the “Mantis” with quiet power.
- Suspense and twists: The hunt for a copycat killer will keep you guessing, while the mother-son dynamic creates emotional tension.
- Short and intense: With only eight episodes, the story is tight, with gripping cliffhangers that will keep you coming back.
- High production quality: Directed by Byun Young-joo, known for thoughtful storytelling, it promises well-crafted scenes filled with nuance.
Fun Facts
- “Queen Mantis” is adapted from the French TV series “La Mante” (2017).
- The show’s title references how the female praying mantis sometimes kills the male after mating — a metaphor for the dangerous and dark mother figure.
- “Queen Mantis” is one of the rare Korean crime thriller dramas that tells the story of a female serial killer.
- The subtitle “살인자의 외출” literally translates to “The Murderer’s Outing,” highlighting the drama’s suspenseful hunt for the killer.
When and Where to Watch
“Queen Mantis” will premiere on September 5, 2025. It consists of 8 episodes, each about 70 minutes long. New episodes air Fridays and Saturdays at 9:50 PM KST on SBS.
If you’re outside Korea, streaming platforms such as Netflix (limited region), Wavve, Viki, and Kocowa will stream the series. You can watch each episode shortly after its Korean premiere.
Final Thoughts
The mystery thriller offers more than just a mystery. It invites us to explore the shadows between love and hate, past and present, crime and justice. If you love dark thrillers with heart, this Korean drama joins a new wave of stories that challenge our expectations.
Will you dare to step into the world of the “Queen Mantis”? Please let us know in the comments below.
In the meantime, watch the official trailer for the 2025 Korean drama “Queen Mantis.”
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