Go Hyun-jung sheds her elegance for madness in her most dramatic role yet
New thriller Mantis, directed by Byun Young-joo, premieres September 5 on SBS

Actress Go Hyun-jung has made a radical transformation, taking on the role of a chilling serial killer in the upcoming SBS Friday-Saturday drama Mantis.
Mantis is set to premiere on September 5 at 9:50 p.m. KST. The highly anticipated drama marks the first collaboration between director Byun Young-joo, best known for the film Helpless, and screenwriter Lee Young-jong, the writer behind 12.12: The Day. Together, they promise to deliver a gripping story packed with unpredictable twists and stylish direction, aiming to keep viewers on the edge of their seats.
Go Hyun-jung stars as Jung Isin, a notorious serial killer who earned the nickname “Mantis” after brutally murdering five men. Teaser trailers, posters, and newly released on-set photos have drawn significant attention, showcasing Go Hyun-jung’s shocking transformation both visually and emotionally.


On August 18, the production team unveiled three additional stills that highlight Go Hyun-jung’s versatile acting. In one image, she fixes a piercing gaze while holding a bright red apple. Another photo captures her eerie smile, with crimson lips that seem to drip with blood against a stark white outfit. The final still exudes a mysterious energy, making it nearly impossible to read her true intentions.
Go Hyun-jung’s portrayal simultaneously embodies elegance and grotesqueness, so much so that it’s hard to believe the shift is played by the same actress. The production team commented, “The character of serial killer Mantis Jung Isin, played by Go Hyun-jung, requires a tremendous amount of physical and emotional energy. Fueled by her passion for the project and character, Go Hyun-jung has poured herself into every scene, truly becoming her own version of Mantis. Viewers can expect a performance like nothing they’ve seen before.”
Go Hyun-jung’s bold new role has already generated buzz ahead of Mantis’s first broadcast, scheduled for September 5 on SBS.
Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”
Photo=SBS
추천 뉴스
- 1 An Se-young Aims for Consecutive World Titles in Paris, Seeks to Recapture the Glory The Korean national badminton team is intensifying its preparations for the 2025 BWF World Championships, setting its sights on reclaiming its position at the top of the sport. The team announced at a media day on the 18th, held at the Jincheon National Training Center in Chungbuk Province, that a t
- 2 KBO Introduces Video Review for Check Swings Across All Stadiums Starting August 19 The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) announced that starting August 19, it will officially implement video review for check swing calls at all KBO League stadiums.This new rule follows the precedent set by the Futures League and defines a swing strike as occurring when the tip of the batter’s bat c
- 3 BOYNEXTDOOR Kicks Off Japanese Promotions With Second Single ‘Count To Love’ BOYNEXTDOOR is ramping up their presence in Japan with the release of their second Japanese single.On August 18, the group unveiled all tracks from their second Japanese single album 'BOYLIFE,' along with the music video for the title track, 'Count To Love.'The album 'BOYLIFE' expresses youthful rom
- 4 Iwai Sisters Make History as Champions at Portland Classic, Akie Claims Her First LPGA Title Akie Iwai captured her first LPGA Tour victory at the Standard Portland Classic, held at Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Oregon on August 18th (local time). Recording a six-under-par 66 in the final round, she finished the tournament with a total score of 24-under-par 264, securing her
- 5 Park Sung-hyun Returns to LPGA Top 10 After Six Years with a Spectacular Eagle at Portland Classic Park Sung-hyun made a striking return to the LPGA Tour's upper ranks with her performance at the Standard Portland Classic in Oregon, signaling a potential career resurgence.On the final day of the LPGA Standard Portland Classic held at the Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Oregon, on Aug
- 6 Song Seung-heon Returns to Romantic Comedy as Affectionate Police Manager in My Golden Star Actor Song Seung-heon makes his much-awaited return to romantic comedy in the upcoming Genie TV original drama My Golden Star, where he will showcase a new side of his charm.Premiering on the evening of August 18, My Golden Star features Song Seung-heon in the role of Dokgo Chul, a solitary police o
- 7 Gumi’s Ramen Festival to Bring Culinary Excitement as Korea’s Ramen Capital Gumi City is set to uphold its reputation as the birthplace of Korean ramen with an enhanced lineup of events for the renowned "Original Ramen Festival."On August 18, Gumi City announced it had held a planning briefing for the "2025 Gumi Ramen Festival." The festival, scheduled to take place over th
- 8 How Hyun Bong-sik Became the Unexpected 'Blue Chip' of Korean Variety TV Recently, an actor has taken the studios of SBS variety programs 'My Little Old Boy' and 'Tteumman Nameun' by storm. One year younger than Kim Hee-chul, and the same age as Yoo Yeon-seok—this surprising revelation points to none other than Hyun Bong-sik.Having graced nearly a hundred productions inc
- 9 BLACKPINK’s Lisa Donates Flea Market Proceeds to Support Clean Water Projects in Africa Lisa of the globally renowned group BLACKPINK has donated the proceeds from her recent flea market event. According to Sony Music Korea on August 18, Lisa delivered the funds raised from the “Welcome to Lisa’s Closet” flea market, held in June, to the international children’s rights NGO Good Neighbo
- 10 Lee Junho Launches New Agency 'O3 Collective' After 17 Years, Signaling Fresh Start Singer and actor Lee Junho has officially launched a new agency, O3 Collective, marking a bold step forward in his career.On August 18, O3 Collective—founded by Lee Junho—announced its formation, describing itself as "a creative collective where the identity of the artist (One), the originality of c
