Premiering Friday, Sept. 5 at 9:50 p.m., the new Friday-Saturday drama 'The Mantis: Original Sin' (written by Lee Young-jong, directed by Byun Young-joo) unfolds two decades after the notorious serial killer known as "Mantis" was caught. When a string of copycat murders erupts, a detective ends up in an unthinkable alliance: teaming with the very person he has despised his entire life ― his mother, the original "Mantis." The result is a tightly wound crime thriller.
The pairing of Ko Hyun-jung (as Jung Yi-shin) and Jang Dong-yoon (as Cha Su-yeol) is already turning heads. Known for his gentle image in past projects, Jang is making a sharp pivot ― throwing himself, body and soul, into a relentless cop determined to bring a killer down. His character’s uneasy partnership with a serial-killer mother also sets the stage for a performance that swings through big, volatile emotions.
Cha Su-yeol is a role that’s as demanding psychologically as it is physically ― hardly an easy character to pin down. Describing him, Jang says, "He’s someone who rejects his bloodline. He wants to live as if his mother doesn’t exist in his life." It’s a concise take that hints at the tangled feelings he carries toward "Mantis."
So what did Jang focus on to channel Cha Su-yeol’s hard-charging charisma? "The team went for a rougher, grittier look that fits the genre," he says, adding with a laugh, "I bulked up just a little. I like working out anyway, so prep wasn’t tough." Humble as ever.
According to the production, Jang didn’t hold back: he ran, chased, and threw himself into a slate of action beats to hunt down the copycat killer ― often doing the stunts himself. Asked about it, he downplayed the challenge once more: "Compared to some of my past projects, the action in 'The Mantis: Original Sin' wasn’t especially difficult. It was fine."
"I’m excited for everyone to finally see 'The Mantis: Original Sin,' a project we all worked hard on in a great atmosphere," Jang adds. "Please show it lots of love. I’ll keep working to repay you with good performances. Thank you."
His answers may be modest, but cast and crew who watched him up close say the opposite: they praise his passion, work ethic, generosity, and humility in unison. That dedication is what makes his transformation shine even brighter ― and it’s a big reason anticipation is high for 'The Mantis: Original Sin.'
The new SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'The Mantis: Original Sin' premieres Friday, Sept. 5 at 9:50 p.m., following 'The Winning Try.'
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)