'The Mantis: Original Sin' has properly followed an upward trajectory.
According to the ratings agency Nielsen Korea, the second episode of the 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, and Boim Film Production), which aired on the 6th, recorded a 7.3% rating based on the metropolitan area, rising from the previous episode. The peak moment rating also broke into double digits at 10%, while the key indicator of channel competitiveness, the 2049 rating, surged vertically from 2.5% to a high of 3.29%. Viewers have reacted positively, noting that Ko Hyun-jung's magic has truly worked.
In the broadcast that aired from 9:50 p.m., the full-fledged joint investigation to catch the copycat murderer involving the serial killer mother, Jeong I-sin (played by Ko Hyun-jung), and her son, detective Cha Soo-yeol (played by Jang Dong-yoon), began. The complex relationship between the mother and son, whom one cannot fully trust or entirely suspect, heightened the tension for viewers.
Earlier, Jeong I-sin left a significant remark upon seeing the second copycat murder scene. Capturing a crucial clue, Cha Soo-yeol discovered the existence of a prime suspect, Seo Gu-wan (played by Lee Tae-goo). Cha Soo-yeol found numerous materials related to the serial killer 'Mantis' case, personal information of various individuals, and traces of home-made firearms created with a 3D printer at Seo Gu-wan's house.
Among them, letters exchanged between Seo Gu-wan and Jeong I-sin, who is in prison, caused shock. Angered by this, Cha Soo-yeol headed to the retirement home where Jeong I-sin was late at night, suspecting that Jeong I-sin had instructed Seo Gu-wan to commit murder. However, Jeong I-sin denied it, sneering, 'Are you just a cop that can't do anything else?' The tension sparked between them was so palpable that one could hardly believe they were meeting as mother and son after 23 years.
Meanwhile, Seo Gu-wan was committing a crime. Believing that Kim Tae-seok had robbed him of his happiness, Seo Gu-wan invaded Kim Tae-seok's home, acting as if he were Kim Tae-seok and threatening Kim Tae-seok's wife and children. Fortunately, thanks to the quick actions of the police, Kim Tae-seok's wife and children were saved, and Seo Gu-wan was arrested. However, Kim Tae-seok's whereabouts remained elusive, leaving uncertainty over whether he was alive or dead.
Captured by the police, Seo Gu-wan provoked Kim Na-hee (played by Lee El) and Cha Soo-yeol in succession. In particular, he heightened Cha Soo-yeol's anger by bringing up Jeong I-sin. Ultimately, Choi Joong-ho (played by Jo Sung-ha) and Cha Soo-yeol brought Seo Gu-wan to Jeong I-sin. Facing a delusional admirer, Jeong I-sin stimulated Seo Gu-wan with her inscrutable tone and actions, eventually extracting a crucial lead that maybe Kim Tae-seok could still be alive.
However, Seo Gu-wan's rampage did not stop. Not only did he choke Jeong I-sin, but he also mentioned the name of Cha Soo-yeol's wife, Lee Jeong-yeon (played by Kim Bo-ra), in front of her. In that moment, Jeong I-sin's eyes flashed with madness as she choked Seo Gu-wan's neck. Cha Soo-yeol, who barely prevented Seo Gu-wan's death, was whispered to: 'It all has to end. We must kill him now. You heard it all, right? He knows everything.' It was a chilling moment for both Cha Soo-yeol and the viewers.
In the chaos, Seo Gu-wan shot himself in the head. Cha Soo-yeol chased after the psychological dynamics of Jeong I-sin and Seo Gu-wan and deduced where Kim Tae-seok might be, eventually finding him. Cha Soo-yeol desperately clashed to save Kim Tae-seok as images of Jeong I-sin, revealing hidden leaves to unidentified insects in the ventilation duct, intersected, bringing the second episode of 'The Mantis: Original Sin' to a close. The stark contrast between the two created a heart-stopping ending.
The second episode of 'The Mantis: Original Sin' showed how powerful the synergy can be when Ko Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon meet with an unprecedented relationship. When the two actors delivered a stunning performance together on screen, it left viewers' hearts racing. Additionally, in just the second episode, revealing the identity of a prime suspect turned the viewers' predictions upside down with a shocking narrative.
[Photo] 'The Mantis: Original Sin'
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