"The Mantis: Original Sin" the most shocking drama of 2025 is coming.
On Sept. 5, the new SBS Friday-Saturday drama "The Mantis: Original Sin" (directed by Byun Young-joo/written by Lee Young-jong/planned by Studio S/produced by Merry Christmas, Mega Monster) will air its first broadcast. "The Mantis: Original Sin" is a high-density crime thriller that follows a detective who investigates a copycat crime 20 years after the brutal serial killer "The Mantis" was captured, working with the mother she has hated her whole life, who is the very killer herself.
Amid this, on Aug. 4, the script reading scene announcing the vibrant launch of "The Mantis: Original Sin" was revealed. On this day, the site included director Byun Young-joo, writer Lee Young-jong, and key cast members such as Ko Hyun-jung (as Jeong Yi-shin), Jang Dong-yoon (as Cha Soo-yeol), Jo Sung-ha (as Choi Joong-ho), and Lee El (as Kim Na-hee). The breath-taking and intense story provided extreme immersion, and the actors' heartfelt performances heated up the reading scene.
First, Ko Hyun-jung's presence as a brutally transformed serial killer was overwhelming. Ko Hyun-jung portrayed the unprecedented character of the serial killer "The Mantis" with a blend of allure and eeriness. She seemed to have thoroughly analyzed the character, dramatically changing not only her speech but also her gaze and expressions. The staff were amazed by the power of actress Ko Hyun-jung, who makes every character her own.
Jang Dong-yoon also stood out, hinting at a deeper performance. Jang Dong-yoon plays the detective Cha Soo-yeol, who conducts a joint investigation with his mother, the serial killer "The Mantis," whom he has hated his whole life. He delivered a wide emotional range, from intense charisma while throwing himself into capturing the criminal to conveying the shock and pain within. It was the arrival of a new Jang Dong-yoon that we had never seen before.
Above all, the acting chemistry between Ko Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon, who faced each other as a serial killer mother and a police son, generated astonishment. The two actors powerfully expressed the complex psychology of their characters with strong focus and energy, which cannot be explained with the word "motherhood." It was a moment that clearly demonstrated how potent the synergy could be when two highly anticipated actors meet in one work.
The impressive performances of Jo Sung-ha and Lee El, who are both packed with solid acting skills and individuality, left a deep impression. Jo Sung-ha plays the role of Choi Joong-ho, the head of the violent crime investigation team at the Jeonnam Provincial Police Agency, while Lee El plays Kim Na-hee, the head of the violent crime investigation team also investigating copycat crimes alongside Choi Joong-ho and Cha Soo-yeol. Jo Sung-ha skillfully adjusted the flow of the drama with perfect modulation, while Lee El captivated the audience with her eyes and voice, instantly immersing herself into her character, raising expectations for a "trustworthy and watchable" work.
It was a script reading scene filled with fierce immersion, passion, and intense performances. The actors created a lively atmosphere reminiscent of an actual scene, maintaining their focus on their respective characters throughout the reading without showing any signs of fatigue. Director Byun Young-joo and writer Lee Young-jong demonstrated "why they are the dream team of production staff", putting meticulous effort into ensuring a high-quality work, not missing even the smallest details. Thanks to the passion shown by the actors and production staff from the very first breath, anticipation for the broadcast of "The Mantis: Original Sin" has soared.
SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama "The Mantis: Original Sin", the most shocking story of 2025, will air its first broadcast on Friday, Sept. 5, at 9:50 p.m.
[Photo] SBS new Friday-Saturday drama "The Mantis: Original Sin"
[OSEN]