SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama Mantis: The Killer's Outing launched with a strong impact. According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode aired on September 5 and recorded nationwide ratings of 7.1%, ranking No.1 in its time slot.

A Chilling Storyline

The premiere opened at a crime scene, where detective Choi Joong-ho (played by Cho Seong-ha) recalled a notorious past case: the "Mantis" serial murders, where one woman killed five men. The culprit was Jung I-shin (Go Hyun-jung).

Twenty-three years later, I-shin's son, Cha Soo-yeol (Jang Dong-yoon), has become a police officer. I-shin offered to assist in investigating a copycat murder—on one condition: she would only communicate through her son. Their tense reunion after two decades set the stage for a dangerous joint investigation. The episode ended with I-shin's eerie smile, leaving viewers unsettled.

Strong Performances

The drama foreshadows a tightly woven crime thriller. Go Hyun-jung commanded the screen with her chilling portrayal of a remorseless serial killer, while Jang Dong-yoon's calm yet intense performance added depth and emotional tension.

Mantis follows the uneasy partnership between a mother who is a convicted serial killer and her detective son as they confront new crimes. Episode 2 will air on September 6 at 9:50 p.m.