Go Hyun-jung
Jeong Yi-shin
Overview
Cha Su-yeol, a police officer who has long despised his mother, the notorious 'Mantis' serial killer, must reluctantly turn to her for help when a copycat killer emerges.
Seasons
- Status
- Ended
- Seasons
- 1 season
- Episodes
- 8 episodes
- First aired
- Sep 5, 2025
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Woman Who Loved the Smell of Blood
I keep thinking about the way Go Hyun-jung’s Jung Yi-shin describes murder—not as a sin, not even as a crime, but as a kind of domestic chore. “Druruk,” she says, miming the sound of a blade sliding through flesh, her voice warm, almost maternal. It’s the kind of detail that lingers, the kind that makes you question whether you’re watching a thriller or a perverse family drama. Queen Mantis, the 2025 Korean remake of the French series La Mante, is both, and neither. It’s a show that wants to unsettle you, not with gore or jump scares, but with the quiet horror of a woman who has made peace with her own monstrosity.
Byun Young-joo, the director, has spent her career oscillating between socially conscious documentaries and genre films, and Queen Mantis feels like the culmination of that tension. She’s not interested in making a procedural, at least not in the traditional sense. This is a story about two people trapped in a cycle of violence, one by choice, the other by blood.
Yi-shin, the titular “Mantis,” is a serial killer who has spent 23 years in prison, her legend growing with each retelling. When a copycat emerges, the police have no choice but to bring her back into the fold—under the reluctant supervision of her estranged son, Detective Cha Su-yeol (Jang Dong-yoon). The setup is Silence of the Lambs meets Mother, but Byun’s approach is far more intimate, far more uncomfortable.
What makes Queen Mantis work—or at least, what makes it impossible to look away from—is Go Hyun-jung’s performance. She doesn’t play Yi-shin as a villain, or even as a monster. She plays her as a woman who has simply decided that killing is what she’s good at.
There’s no grand justification, no tragic backstory mined for sympathy. When she tells Su-yeol, “Do you dislike the smell of blood? I love it.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.5/10
"A gripping yet unsettling crime thriller that digs deep into family trauma and moral ambiguity."
Viewers praise the series for its intense atmosphere and strong performances, particularly Go Hyun-jung’s chilling portrayal of the titular 'Mantis.' The dark, psychological exploration of family bonds and crime resonates, though some find the pacing uneven and the story’s familiarity a drawback. The unsettling tone and mind games keep audiences hooked, latestnetflix.com maintains, even if the narrative isn’t entirely original.
What viewers praise
- Powerhouse lead performance Go Hyun-jung’s portrayal of the serial killer mother is widely praised for its depth and unsettling presence.
- Atmospheric tension The series excels in creating a dark, immersive mood that enhances the crime thriller elements.
- Family drama depth The exploration of complex family relationships adds emotional weight to the crime narrative.
- Mind games and twists The psychological cat-and-mouse dynamics between characters keep viewers engaged.
Common complaints
- Familiar plot Some viewers note that the serial killer and copycat storyline feels derivative of other crime thrillers.
- Uneven pacing A few episodes drag, slowing down the momentum of the overall narrative.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, aside from the leads, lack depth and feel overshadowed.
Recommended for
Crime thriller enthusiasts Fans of dark family dramas Psychological mystery lovers Go Hyun-jung admirers K-drama fans seeking intensity
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsGo Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon Lead the Charge in Queen Mantis—A High-Stakes Revenge Drama with a Deadly Twist
The upcoming Korean series Queen Mantis (2025) is already generating buzz, thanks to its powerhouse cast and the promise of a gripping revenge narrative. Directed by Byun Young-joo, the series stars Go Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon in what appears to be a high-octane thriller where vengeance takes center stage—and the title’s insect inspiration suggests a ruthless, calculated approach to payback.
A Star-Studded Ensemble with a Dark Edge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfZ8xwt0EOI
Go Hyun-jung, known for her commanding screen presence in hits like The World of the Married, takes on the titular role, though details about her character remain tightly under wraps. The official trailer hints at a woman consumed by vengeance, her demeanor as precise and lethal as the mantis she’s named after. Jang Dong-yoon, fresh off his success in The Glory, plays opposite her, likely as either her adversary or an unlikely ally in a world where trust is a liability.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oscfO3EWY8A
The supporting cast is no less impressive, featuring Cho Seong-ha (Vincenzo), Lee El (Squid Game), and Kim Bo-ra (The Penthouse), among others . The mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars suggests a dynamic where power struggles and shifting loyalties will drive the plot. Rumors—unconfirmed but persistent—hint that the series will explore themes of betrayal and survival, with each character harboring their own motives.
Trailer Teases a World of Deception and Violence
The official trailer drops viewers into a shadowy underworld where alliances are fragile and violence is inevitable. Glimpses of Go Hyun-jung’s character reveal a woman who moves with eerie precision, her expressions unreadable even as chaos unfolds around her. Jang Dong-yoon’s role appears equally intense, with scenes suggesting a morally ambiguous figure caught between duty and desire.
The title Queen Mantis isn’t just for show—it’s a nod to the series’ tone. Mantises are known for their predatory nature, and the trailer leans into this imagery, framing the story as a battle of wits where the strongest survive. Whether the series will delve into the biological metaphor or use it purely as aesthetic flair remains to be seen, but the visuals alone promise a stylish, high-stakes narrative.
Behind the Scenes: What We Know (and What We Don’t)
Details about Queen Mantis are still scarce, but the cast’s real ages—revealed in a recent video —offer a glimpse into the generational dynamics at play. Go Hyun-jung, in her 50s, brings gravitas to her role, while Jang Dong-yoon, in his 30s, represents a younger, perhaps more volatile force. This age gap could fuel tension, especially if their characters are locked in a battle for dominance.
Director Byun Young-joo, known for his work on Helpless and The World of Us, has a knack for blending psychological depth with visceral thrills. If Queen Mantis follows his signature style, audiences can expect a story that’s as emotionally charged as it is action-packed. However, with no confirmed episode count or release date beyond 2025, fans will have to wait for more concrete details.
For now, the trailer and cast announcements are all we have—and they’re enough to spark intrigue. If Queen Mantis delivers on its promise, it could be one of the year’s most talked-about Korean dramas.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
Series
Similar Series
Related series ranked by rating and popularity.
