The Mantis: Original Sin is clearly benefiting from the Ko Hyun-jung effect.
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, Film Production House Boim) has been sailing smoothly after setting its own highest ratings, and Ko Hyun-jung, who plays Jeong I-shin — the serial killer nicknamed The Mantis who brutally murdered five men and the mother of Cha Soo-yeol (played by Jang Dong-yoon) — is leading the story from the forefront with an overwhelming presence.
Jeong I-shin, the serial killer nicknamed The Mantis, is a somewhat complex character. The people she killed in the past were those who abused women or children, so Jeong I-shin is revered by some. Also, through a recent episode it was revealed that Jeong I-shin had no choice but to commit her first murder to protect Cha Soo-yeol, which amplified the complex and subtle emotions of mother Jeong I-shin.
A revered killer who at the same time cooperates with her detective son to find her copycat. With this dual setup alone, Ko Hyun-jung delivers not just perfect but transcendent acting, like a fish in water, giving viewers a sense of exhilaration.
Ko Hyun-jung's seasoned acting especially stands out. As a character who carries an understated sense of terror, she restrains her energy while overwhelming the drama with detailed emotional expression, her eyes and her breathing. The fleeting emotions that cross Jeong I-shin make the drama more three-dimensional, leave room for imagination and instantly raise immersion.
The intensity she offered as Mishil in the earlier drama Seondeokwon, the delicacy she portrayed as Park Wan in Dear My Friends and the eeriness she showed as Kim Mo-mi in Mask Girl all condensed into Ko Hyun-jung's acting prowess, which manifested in The Mantis: Original Sin. As a result, praise continues daily that it is unimaginable for the role to be anyone but Jeong I-shin and not Ko Hyun-jung.
Director Byun Young-joo, who directed the series, also said, "I wanted to cast Ko Hyun-jung as soon as I read the script," heightening anticipation for Ko Hyun-jung's multilayered acting. Beyond expectations, Ko Hyun-jung's performance helped The Mantis: Original Sin rank No. 1 overall in TV news buzz in the first week of September announced by Good Data Corporation and No. 3 in TV buzz in the second week of September, while Ko Hyun-jung placed fourth in the performer buzz survey, showing strong positions across various charts.
In fact, after each broadcast, reactions to Ko Hyun-jung pour out on social media and online communities, making the Ko Hyun-jung effect tangible. The effect even extends beyond Korea to overseas. The Mantis: Original Sin ranked seventh in Netflix's global top 10 series category in its first week on air.
Meanwhile, episode 5 of Ko Hyun-jung's The Mantis: Original Sin will air on the 19th (Fri.) at 9:50 p.m.
[Photo] The Mantis: Original Sin
[OSEN]