Veteran actress Go Hyun-jung is returning to the small screen with one of her boldest characters yet—a notorious serial killer mother. SBS's new crime thriller Mantis: The Murderer's Outing (사마귀) held its press conference on September 4, where Go joined co-star Jang Dong-yoon and director Byun Young-joo to introduce the highly anticipated drama.

A Chilling Mother-Son Alliance

Based on the French series Mantis, the story follows detective Cha Soo-yeol (Jang Dong-yoon) as he reluctantly teams up with his estranged mother, Jung I-shin (Go Hyun-jung)—a convicted serial killer dubbed "The Mantis"—to stop a copycat killer replicating her crimes.

Go, who previously shocked audiences with her role in Netflix's Mask Girl, said she couldn't resist the part. "I didn't have much screen time in Mask Girl, so I felt unsatisfied. When Mantis came my way, it was exactly the kind of genre I was craving as an actor. I wanted to do it right away," she explained.

Go Hyun-jung's Dark Transformation

Go's character murdered five men—abusers of women and children—earning her the chilling nickname. Director Byun revealed she was his first and only casting choice. "The moment I read the script, Go Hyun-jung came to mind. I believed she would show me a face I couldn't even imagine," he said.

Although she had faced health issues before filming, Go expressed gratitude for being able to return. "So many people looked out for me. That support made me even more attached to this project," she shared.

Jang Dong-yoon's First Detective Role

For Jang Dong-yoon, Mantis marks his debut as a detective. "Soo-yeol is a man tormented by his meddlesome mother, who he's resented his whole life. He experiences complicated emotions while forced into this uneasy alliance," he said.

Known for his real-life heroism—having once subdued an armed robber in 2015—Jang admitted he's always wanted to play a cop. "I naturally have a personality that can't ignore things when they happen around me. I think that helped me immerse into the role," he explained.

The Tense Heart of the Story: Mother and Son

At its core, Mantis is about a son caught between anger and reluctant compassion. Soo-yeol suffers nightmares about his mother, seeing her both as a criminal who deserves punishment and as a bond he cannot sever. "Watching senior Go Hyun-jung perform was shocking. Her energy gave me chills and drew me deeper into the role," Jang confessed.

Go added, "It's not just about how brutally she kills—it's about why she makes those choices. That's what makes the story fascinating."

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Romanticizing Crime

Because the victims in the drama are criminals themselves, the production team was cautious about misinterpretation. Director Byun addressed concerns head-on: "If a director sympathizes with or glorifies a killer, the audience rejects it. There is absolutely no intention to romanticize her crimes."

He also noted how the SBS adaptation differs from Netflix's Mantis: "The Netflix version features a contract killer. Our protagonist is a serial killer with her own twisted motives. That changes everything."

A Confident Cast

Co-star Lee El summed it up boldly: "I won't say much. Watch the first episode tomorrow, and you'll understand why we're this confident."

Director Byun concluded, "This is not only gripping entertainment but also a drama that makes you think. Please enjoy the actors' outstanding performances to the fullest."

Mantis premieres September 5 at 9:50 p.m. KST on SBS.