“Queen Mantis” (directed by Byun Young-joo, written by Lee Young-jong) is a high-intensity crime thriller about a serial-killer mother teaming up with her detective son. Its airtight plotting, bold character transformations, powerhouse performances and stylish direction have drawn raves from critics and viewers alike.
Backing up the buzz, the series notched new personal-best TV ratings for two consecutive episodes nationwide (Nielsen Korea). On Netflix, it hit No. 1 in Korea (9/8?9/14), landed at No. 6 globally among non-English series (9/8?9/14), and placed in the Top 10 across seven countries during the same period―robust numbers for a dense, twisty genre piece.
One key to its momentum: you can’t see the next turn coming. Episode 4 ended with prime copycat suspect Seo Gu-wan (Lee Tae-gu) dying in a mysterious hit-and-run, while “The Mantis” Jung Yi-shin (Ko Hyun-jung)―believed to be behind it―escaped an assisted-living facility and showed up at her daughter-in-law Lee Jung-yeon’s (Kim Bo-ra) home. All eyes are on whether Cha Soo-yeol (Jang Dong-yoon) can stop the next death―and who the real killer is.
Ahead of Episode 5, the production has teased another left-field twist. In the new photos, Cha Soo-yeol and Kim Na-hee (Lee El) slip into a darkened performance hall, watching a packed audience and the stage from the entrance. Mid-show, task-force member Bae Sung-gyu (Kim Min-ho) suddenly steps onto the stage, raising eyebrows. Cha bolts out of the venue, while Kim Na-hee wears a grim expression in the crush of the crowd―spiking the sense of dread.
Previously, suspected copycat Seo Gu-wan was killed in a hit-and-run, and newcomer Park Min-jae (Lee Chang-min) emerged as another strong suspect. Now the task force’s urgency suggests a fresh crisis is imminent.
The producers tease: “In Episode 5, airing tomorrow (the 19th), another major crisis erupts around the ‘Mantis’ copycat case. The operatic sequence that sparked huge reactions in the special teaser will finally unfold. Look forward to white-knuckle tension and gripping performances from Jang Dong-yoon, Lee El and the cast.”
Is another “Mantis” copycat killing about to happen? Will Cha Soo-yeol be forced to witness yet another death? Episode 5 of “Queen Mantis” airs Friday at 9:50 p.m.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)