SBS 'Mantis: The Killer's Outing' Script Reading Scene Revealed

On September 5, SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama 〈Mantis: The Killer's Outing〉 will premiere in South Korea. 〈Mantis: The Killer's Outing〉 is a high-density crime thriller where, 20 years after the capture of the brutal serial killer 'Mantis', copycat crimes occur, and a detective who has hated 'Mantis' all his life conducts an unexpected joint investigation with his mother, who is the 'Mantis'.

In this context, the lively script reading scene announcing the vibrant launch of 〈Mantis: The Killer's Outing〉 was revealed on August 4. The scene was attended by director Byun Young-joo, writer Lee Young-jong, and the main cast including Ko Hyun-jung (as Jung Yi-shin), Jang Dong-yoon (as Cha Soo-yeol), Jo Sung-ha (as Choi Joong-ho), and Lee El (as Kim Na-hee). The breath-taking and intricate story provided extreme immersion, and the actors' passionate performances heated up the reading scene.

First, Ko Hyun-jung's overwhelming presence as the brutal serial killer was striking. Ko Hyun-jung portrayed the unprecedented serial killer 'Mantis' with a blend of allure and horror, sending chills down the spine. It seemed she had already completed a thorough character analysis, as her tone, gaze, and expressions were perfectly transformed. The staff was in awe of Ko Hyun-jung's ability to make any character her own.

Next, Jang Dong-yoon, who hinted at a deeper performance, also stood out. Jang Dong-yoon plays detective Cha Soo-yeol, who conducts a joint investigation with his mother, the serial killer 'Mantis', whom he has hated all his life. Jang Dong-yoon delivered a powerful performance, showcasing a wide range of emotions from intense charisma to shocking inner pain. It was the emergence of a new Jang Dong-yoon, unlike the actor we have known so far.

Above all, the acting chemistry between Ko Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon, who met in an unprecedented relationship as a serial killer mother and a police son, was astonishing. The two actors expressed the complex psychology of their characters, which cannot be explained by the word 'motherhood', with strong focus and energy. It was a time that truly proved how powerful the synergy would be when these two highly anticipated actors met in one work.

The impressive performances of Jo Sung-ha and Lee El, who are packed with solid acting skills and individuality, also left a deep impression. Jo Sung-ha plays Choi Joong-ho, the head of the violent crime investigation team at the Southern Police Station, while Lee El plays Kim Na-hee, the chief of the violent investigation team at the Southern Police Station, investigating copycat crimes alongside Choi Joong-ho and Cha Soo-yeol. Jo Sung-ha skillfully adjusted the flow of the drama with perfect control of intensity, while Lee El drew the audience in with her captivating gaze and voice, making them look forward to a 'trustworthy' production.

It was a script reading scene filled with intense immersion, passion, and powerful performances. The actors created a heated atmosphere that resembled the actual scene, fully immersed in their respective characters without showing any signs of fatigue throughout the script reading. Director Byun Young-joo and writer Lee Young-jong demonstrated why they are a dream team, putting in meticulous efforts to ensure a high-quality production without missing even the smallest details. Thanks to the special passion shown by the actors and production team from the very first breath, anticipation for the broadcast of 'Mantis: The Killer's Outing' has skyrocketed. The most shocking story of 2025, SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama 'Mantis: The Killer's Outing' will premiere on Friday, September 5 at 9:50 PM.