A serial killer Go Hyun-jung showed intensity.
According to audience measurement firm Nielsen Korea on Sep. 14, the fourth episode of the SBS Fri.-Sat. 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, Film Studio Bo-im), which aired Sep. 13, recorded nationwide ratings of 7.5% and 7.5% in the Seoul metropolitan area. These were all record highs for the series, with a momentary peak rating soaring to 9.6%. The channel-competitiveness key indicator for viewers ages 20-49 averaged 2.2% and peaked at 3.12%, continuing its buzz. The Mantis: Original Sin is capturing both rising ratings and topicality.
In that episode the prime suspect in the copycat killings of The Mantis changed from Seo Gu-wan (played by Lee Tae-gu) to a new character Park Min-jae (played by Lee Chang-min). With Seo Gu-wan dying in a hit-and-run traffic accident, it was hinted that the killer who killed him was Jeong I-shin (played by Go Hyun-jung), who escaped from the convalescent home, delivering a big shock. Above all, the ending in which Jeong I-shin, who emerged into the world, went to see daughter-in-law Lee Jeong-yeon (played by Kim Bo-ra) sent chills.
Earlier the truth about Jeong I-shin's "murder zero" was revealed. Cha Su-yeol (played by Jang Dong-yoon), shocked to learn Jeong I-shin's first murder victim was her husband, that is, her own father, went to see grandfather Jeong Hyeon-nam (played by Lee Hwang-ui). Jeong Hyeon-nam revealed that Jeong I-shin suffered from her husband's violence and suspicion, and that he witnessed Jeong I-shin's first murder but could not bring himself to tell the world. Consumed by guilt, Cha Su-yeol vowed once more to catch the killer.
Restarting the investigation from the "murder zero," Jeong I-shin and Cha Su-yeol focused on the father-and-son pair Park Eon-bae (played by Cha Sun-bae) and Park Min-jae. At the time Park Eon-bae often used violence against his son. Since Jeong I-shin could have been more than a mother to Park Min-jae who came to save him, Cha Su-yeol began to suspect Park Min-jae as a copycat murder suspect of The Mantis: Original Sin.
As Cha Su-yeol feared, Park Min-jae was already acting suspiciously. He approached Cha Su-yeol's wife Lee Jeong-yeon in a friendly way. When faced with Cha Su-yeol, Park Min-jae provocatively brought up the 23-year-old The Mantis murder case. Eventually Cha Su-yeol found at Park Min-jae's base a model reproducing all the murder scenes of The Mantis: Original Sin and arrested Park Min-jae. But Park Min-jae claimed an alibi and asked, "We met, right? Can't you let me see mom just once?" He even knew that Jeong I-shin and Cha Su-yeol had met.
Meanwhile Kim Na-hee (played by Lee El), harboring suspicions about Cha Su-yeol, visited the hospital where Seo Gu-wan was. Seo Gu-wan, having opened his eyes, attacked Kim Na-hee. Seo Gu-wan left a cryptic remark to Kim Na-hee, "The Mantis will kill me. I know," and escaped the hospital. Seo Gu-wan then was struck and killed by an unidentified car right in front of Cha Su-yeol. Before dying Seo Gu-wan told Cha Su-yeol, "You're just like your mother." Wracked by guilt for failing to prevent another death, Cha Su-yeol clashed violently with Kim Na-hee.
So who was the hit-and-run driver who killed Seo Gu-wan? Here lies the most shocking point in the development of episode 4 of The Mantis: Original Sin. Jeong I-shin used the poison of the insect Namga-rae, which she had steadily collected, to knock out Kim Woo-tae (played by Gil Eun-seong), who was guarding her, and escaped from the convalescent home. Jeong I-shin emerged into the world at a perfect timing. The day after Seo Gu-wan's death, Jeong I-shin appeared at the home of Cha Su-yeol and Lee Jeong-yeon.
With Jeong I-shin appearing in front of an unsuspecting Lee Jeong-yeon and casually asking, "Hello, Lee Jeong-yeon?" episode 4 of The Mantis: Original Sin ended. The ending left many questions: Did Jeong I-shin really kill Seo Gu-wan, what was her real purpose in escaping, and how will her escape affect Cha Su-yeol's investigation into the The Mantis copycat crimes?
Episode 4 of The Mantis: Original Sin filled 60 minutes with shocking developments: a change in the prime suspect in the The Mantis copycat killings, Jeong I-shin's escape, and the suggestion that Jeong I-shin may have committed other murders after emerging into the world 23 years later. Within the meticulous story, the actors raised immersion with detailed performances. In the ending that highlighted Go Hyun-jung's overwhelming screen presence, the drama's tension reached a climax.
Promising an even stronger impact while manipulating viewers' hearts, the SBS Fri.-Sat. drama The Mantis: Original Sin airs every Friday at 9:50 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m.
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