Who is the 'Mantis' Copycat Killer? Final Episodes Promise Peak Suspense
SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Mantis: The Killer's Outing' (hereafter 'Mantis') is nearing its finale with only two episodes left, and viewer interest is intensely focused on uncovering the true identity of the copycat killer.
The drama has reached its climax with the joint investigation between serial killer mother Jeong Yi-shin (Ko Hyun-jung) and detective son Cha Soo-yeol (Jang Dong-yoon). As the identity of the copycat killer begins to emerge, anticipation for the final two episodes is soaring.
Previously, the police considered Seo Gu-wan (Lee Tae-goo) and Park Min-jae (Lee Chang-min) as prime suspects. However, Seo Gu-wan died in a mysterious hit-and-run accident, and Park Min-jae was murdered while luring a suspicious individual named 'Joy' to help Cha Soo-yeol. The police now suspect 'Joy' to be 'Kang Yeon-joong', a child who was abused by a victim Jeong Yi-shin previously killed. The remaining two episodes will reveal if 'Joy' is indeed the killer and what their true identity is.
Currently, the most prominent suspects include Cha Soo-yeol's wife, Lee Jeong-yeon (Kim Bo-ra), who has shown an uncanny understanding of Cha Soo-yeol and Jeong Yi-shin. The police have also discovered that the male suspect, 'Kang Yeon-joong', may have undergone gender reassignment surgery, adding another layer of suspicion to Lee Jeong-yeon, who has been closely observing Cha Soo-yeol.
Jeong Yi-shin herself is also a suspect. After reuniting with her son Cha Soo-yeol after 23 years, her actions have been ambiguous, leaving it unclear whether she is genuinely trying to help him or pursuing her own agenda. Questions linger whether Jeong Yi-shin orchestrated the 'Mantis' copycat murders herself to facilitate her own release.
The third suspect is Choi Jung-ho (Jo Sung-ha), who arrested Jeong Yi-shin 23 years ago and watched over Cha Soo-yeol's upbringing at her request. He played a role in guiding Cha Soo-yeol to become a detective. No one knows the relationship between Jeong Yi-shin and Cha Soo-yeol better than Choi Jung-ho. He previously grappled with his powerlessness as a police officer 23 years ago and Jeong Yi-shin's crimes of killing those who deserved to die. Could Choi Jung-ho be the ultimate culprit behind the 'Mantis' copycat murders?
'Mantis: The Killer's Outing', which has captivated viewers with its unpredictable plot for six weeks, has only two episodes remaining. Episode 7 will air on the 26th at 9:50 PM.
Actress Ko Hyun-jung portrays the complex role of serial killer Jeong Yi-shin in 'Mantis', showcasing her versatile acting skills. She has consistently taken on challenging roles since her acclaimed performance as Queen Seondeok in the 2009 drama of the same name. 'Mantis' marks her significant return to the thriller genre.