"The Mantis: Original Sin" serial killer Go Hyun-jung: Why did she confess 23 years ago?
SBS's 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, MegaMonster, Film Studio Boim) delivers shocks beyond imagination each episode, turning living rooms upside down. At the center is actress Go Hyun-jung (playing Jeong I-shin), who gave a passionate performance oscillating between innocence and menace, and between elegance and the grotesque.
Go Hyun-jung's powerful performance was possible because of the extraordinary character Jeong I-shin. Jeong I-shin is a serial killer nicknamed "The Mantis" after brutally killing five men. In the third episode it was revealed that Jeong I-shin had killed six people, not five, and that her first murder victim was her husband, who had been violent toward her and her son Cha Soo-yeol (played by Jang Dong-yoon). Even after reuniting with her son after 23 years, Jeong I-shin is a figure whose intentions are impossible to read — whether she is helping her son or using him.
In this context, questions arise about why Jeong I-shin confessed to Detective Choi Jung-ho (played by Jo Sung-ha) 23 years ago to the five murders. Choi Jung-ho said he did not have decisive physical evidence at the time and relied only on strong suspicion. With no evidence and in a situation where she could easily have denied the charges, why did Jeong I-shin confess? And why did she continue to write letters and contact Choi Jung-ho afterward?
Meanwhile, the production team of "The Mantis: Original Sin" released a scene from episode 5. The photo captures the likely suspect in the serial murder case, Jeong I-shin, and Detective Choi Jung-ho sitting across from each other at a police station 23 years earlier. Jeong I-shin appears expressionless yet somehow composed. By contrast, Detective Choi Jung-ho looks markedly serious, and his eyes reveal anxiety. It seems as if the usual atmosphere between a police officer and a prime suspect has been reversed.
Regarding this, the production team of "The Mantis: Original Sin" said, "In episode 5, airing Sept. 19, the real reason Jeong I-shin confessed to the five murders 23 years ago is revealed. Not only that, the reasons why Jeong I-shin uniquely chose Choi Jung-ho and confessed to him, and why she, even after 23 years when copycat crimes occurred, brought up joint investigation through Choi Jung-ho, will also be revealed."
They added, "The private meeting between Jeong I-shin and Choi Jung-ho 23 years ago is a very important moment for the development of the plot. For this, actors Go Hyun-jung and Jo Sung-ha drew out a tense, razor-edge atmosphere with unwavering concentration and acting. Of course, each actor also captured the character's details to lend credibility to the scene. The strong performances of the two actors left the on-site staff holding their breath and admiring them."
What, then, was the reason the notorious serial killer "The Mantis" Jeong I-shin confessed 23 years ago? Turning the corner and promising a more powerful story, SBS's Friday-Saturday drama "The Mantis: Original Sin" airs every Friday at 9:50 p.m. and Saturday at 10 p.m.
[Photo] 'The Mantis: Original Sin'
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