SBS's 'Praying Mantis: Killer's Outing' Kicks Off with Stellar Ratings, Dominating Friday Nights
SBS's new Friday-Saturday drama, 'Praying Mantis: Killer's Outing,' has made a powerful debut, securing the top spot in viewership ratings from its very first episode. According to Nielsen Korea, the premiere episode, aired on September 5th, recorded a metropolitan area rating of 7.3% and a nationwide rating of 7.1%, instantly claiming the number one position in its timeslot and for Friday mini-series.
The drama, a high-density crime thriller about the joint investigation between a serial killer mother and her detective son, had already garnered significant anticipation due to its 'dream team' cast and crew. The first episode featured Detective Cha Soo-yeol (played by Jang Dong-yoon) rescuing a child from a dangerous situation at a drug-related crime scene. This incident leads Detective Choi Joong-ho (played by Jo Sung-ha) to seek help from Jung Yi-shin (played by Go Hyun-jung), the convicted serial killer known as 'Praying Mantis' from 23 years prior, to investigate a copycat crime. Jung Yi-shin agrees to cooperate under two specific conditions, leading to a tense reunion with her son after 23 years, marked by simmering anger and provocation.
The episode concluded with a cliffhanger, leaving viewers questioning Jung Yi-shin's true intentions and raising anticipation for the next installment. The drama has been praised for its seamless blend of script, direction, and acting, with Go Hyun-jung's commanding presence as the serial killer and Jang Dong-yoon's deepened performance receiving particular acclaim. The supporting cast, including Jo Sung-ha, Lee El, and Kim Bo-ra, along with special appearances by Byun Yo-han and Go Joon, also contributed to the high quality of the production. The second episode of 'Praying Mantis: Killer's Outing' airs tonight, September 6th, at 9:50 PM.
Go Hyun-jung, who made her debut as the runner-up in the 1989 Miss Korea pageant, has been recognized for her acting prowess, winning the Grand Prize at the MBC Drama Awards in 2009 for 'Queen Seondeok.' She has showcased a wide range of acting skills in various works such as 'Daemul' and 'The Time We Were Not in Love.' In 'Praying Mantis: Killer's Outing,' she takes on an unprecedentedly intense and groundbreaking role as a serial killer, generating significant buzz.