The intense process Go Hyun-jung went through to embody a chilling role in SBS’s upcoming crime thriller Queen Mantis, premiering on September 5 at 9:50 PM, was revealed.
The series follows a notorious serial killer nicknamed “Mantis,” who was caught over 20 years ago. When a new copycat crime emerges, a detective is forced into an unexpected collaboration with none other than his mother—the original “Mantis.”
Go Hyun-jung stars as Jung Yi-shin, a murderer so brutal she earned the moniker “Mantis.” Already, teasers and still cuts showcasing her pale face, eerie smile, and piercing gaze have ignited high anticipation.
Go described her character as “impossible to define in one word. Jung Yi-shin terrifies with her aura, yet also projects an empty, detached expression as if indifferent to everything. The moment you think you understand her, she shatters that impression.” She added that this unpredictability kept her focused on maintaining a mysterious aura that would heighten the tension throughout the drama.
To portray Jung Yi-shin, Go stripped away glamour and leaned into stark realism. “I minimized external styling to highlight her starkness. Since she’s a death row inmate imprisoned for decades, I added details like age spots and wrinkles in the makeup to show the passage of time.”
She emphasized that the greatest challenge was not just the look but the psychology: “Rather than expressing emotions directly through my eyes or expressions, I wanted to plant doubt, leading viewers deeper into suspicion.” She worked closely with director Byun Young-joo to refine these subtle touches.
The result promises to be one of Go Hyun-jung’s boldest performances yet—transforming a “national actress” into a monster of gripping intensity.
SBS’s Queen Mantis will air as the follow-up to The Winning Try, beginning September 5.
Sources: Daum
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