Go Hyun-jung‘s new drama “Queen Mantis“ started on SBS on September 5, 2025. It got strong ratings and beat other shows in its time slot. The first episode got an average nationwide rating of 7.1 percent. This made it the most-watched miniseries that day. It did better than the show that was on before it, which started with 4.1 percent.
The drama also did well in the Seoul area, with a rating of 7.3 percent. At one point, viewership reached 8.7 percent. The show attracted a lot of viewers between ages 20 and 49.
Story of a Serial Killer and Her Detective Son
“Queen Mantis” is a crime thriller. It tells the story of Jung Yi-shin (played by Go Hyun-jung), a serial killer known as “The Mantis.” She killed five men 23 years ago. Now, a new killer is copying her style. The police ask for her help to solve the new crimes.
Yi-shin agrees to help but has conditions. She will only talk through her son, Cha Soo-yeol (played by Jang Dong-yoon). Soo-yeol is a police detective who has hated his mother for years. He must work with her to stop the new killer.
The first episode showed a brutal murder that reminded detectives of Yi-shin’s past crimes. Soo-yeol is dealing with his own anger and trauma from his mother’s actions. He must face her again after 23 years.
Go Hyun-jung’s Performance Draws Attention
Go Hyun-jung’s acting as Jung Yi-shin has been widely praised. She plays a complex character who is both caring and cruel. One scene shows her smiling while talking about her past murders. This left other characters and viewers feeling uneasy.
The production team said, “Actress Go Hyun-jung unleashed tremendous energy in the blink of an eye, taking command of the screen and the story with her overpowering presence.” They added that even the staff held their breath while watching her perform.
How Other Shows Performed
JTBC‘s new romance drama “My Youth”, starring Song Joong-ki and Chun Woo-hee, also started on September 5. It aired two episodes back-to-back. The first episode got a 2.9 percent rating, and the second got 2.8 percent. This was lower than “Queen Mantis.”
MBC‘s “Mary Kills People,” which airs at the same time, got a 1.1 percent rating. It is near the end of its run.
Viewer Reactions and What’s Next
Many viewers have talked about “Queen Mantis” online. They are excited about the story and the acting. Some are curious about Yi-shin’s real motives. Others are interested in the tense relationship between mother and son.
The second episode aired on September 6. New stills showed Yi-shin speaking with a mystery man. The production team said, “In Episode 2, Jung Yi-shin will have a decisive impact on the investigation of the copycat murder. During this process, Jung Yi-shin will play the situation like a fiddle with behavior that no one could have imagined.”
“Queen Mantis” is based on a French thriller series called “La Mante.” It is expected to have 8 episodes. You can watch it on SBS and Netflix.
Also Read: Song Joong-ki and Chun Woo-hee’s “My Youth” Starts Strong With 2.9% Viewership Rating
Credits: tenasia
