Queen Mantis — Drama Synopsis, Characters & Relationships
Quick Info
- Broadcast Schedule: First aired on September 5, 2025 (Fri), every Fri–Sat at 9:50 PM ~ 11:10 PM
- Channel: SBS TV Friday–Saturday Drama
- OTT: Scheduled for simultaneous release on Netflix
- Genre: Crime · Thriller · Mystery · Suspense (8 episodes total)
- Pronunciation in Korean: sa-ma-gwi
Synopsis
Twenty years ago, Jung I-shin, known as the serial killer “Queen Mantis ,” was arrested and has been serving her sentence ever since. However, when a new string of murders mimicking her past crimes begins, society is once again thrown into shock. The investigation team is left with no choice but to seek Jung I-shin’s help, and ultimately her son, Detective Cha Soo-yeol, ends up working alongside his mother to solve the case. As they chase the killer, the two confront not only the case but also their fraught relationship, past truths, and present dangers.
Original Work & Direction
The drama Queen Mantis is based on the French series 'La Mante'. It is a psychological thriller that begins when a copycat serial murder case emerges after a legendary female serial killer has already been imprisoned, leading her son—now a police officer—to collaborate with her in solving the case.
The Korean adaptation is directed by Byun Young-joo, who has reinterpreted the original while maintaining its tension, adapting it to the social context and family narratives of Korea. Director Byun, well-known for her sharp yet delicate direction in films such as Helpless and Someone Special, combines her signature social commentary with psychological suspense in this work as well.
Main Cast & Characters
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
| Go Hyun-jung | Jung I-shin – Serial killer “Queen mantis ” |
| Jang Dong-yoon | Cha Soo-yeol – Detective, son of Jung I-shin |
| Jo Sung-ha | Choi Joong-ho – Investigation team leader, involved in Jung I-shin’s past arrest |
| Lee El | Kim Na-hee – Veteran detective, Soo-yeol’s junior and partner |
| Kim Bo-ra | Lee Jung-yeon – Wife of Cha Soo-yeol |
Character Relationships
At the heart of the drama is the complex mother–son dynamic. Jung I-shin and Cha Soo-yeol stand on opposite ends as criminal and detective, yet they cannot deny their blood ties. Choi Joong-ho, the investigation team leader, adds another layer as the man who captured Jung I-shin in the past and acted as a mentor figure in Soo-yeol’s career. Meanwhile, Soo-yeol’s wife Lee Jung-yeon and junior partner Kim Na-hee support him through the case while also creating new conflicts. These multilayered relationships expand the story beyond a typical crime thriller, shaping it into a deeply human drama.
Rebroadcast Information
Production Team
Director: Byun Young-joo, Screenwriter: Lee Young-jong, Production: Studio S · Megamonster