Ko Hyun-jung Dominates Screens in 'The Scorpion: Killer's Outing' with Intense Portrayal

Actress Ko Hyun-jung is captivating audiences with her compelling performance in the SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'The Scorpion: Killer's Outing.' She is currently drawing viewers into the suspenseful narrative as it hurtles towards its finale.

Playing the role of Jung Yi-shin, the mother of serial killer Cha Soo-yeol (played by Jang Dong-yoon) and known as 'The Scorpion,' Ko Hyun-jung delivers a powerful acting performance each episode, heightening the thrill and chilling atmosphere of the series.

Episodes 5 and 6 saw the identity of a copycat killer emerge and crucial characters discover the complex relationship between Jung Yi-shin and Cha Soo-yeol, propelling the story forward at a breakneck pace.

In a pivotal scene, Jung Yi-shin visited Cha Soo-yeol's wife, Lee Jung-yeon (Kim Bo-ra), concealing her identity as 'The Scorpion' and fabricating a story about living in hiding after leaving her son, all for his sake. When questioned by Cha Soo-yeol about her visit, she expressed maternal affection by saying, "I wanted to see the person next to you." However, her demeanor shifted dramatically when Cha Soo-yeol pressed her about Seo Goo-wan's (Lee Tae-gu) death, responding with a chilling, "Don't you think it's fortunate?" creating suffocating tension.

Meanwhile, the copycat killer sent the victim's phone to Cha Soo-yeol, ordering him to deliver it to Jung Yi-shin. Jung Yi-shin and Cha Soo-yeol devised a plan to exploit the copycat's vanity to provoke a mistake. Although Jung Yi-shin's taunts led the copycat to hint at the next murder, the unexpected turn of events resulted in Park Min-jae (Lee Chang-min) being harmed. This led Cha Soo-yeol to humbly ask Jung Yi-shin for help, stating, "I will think like you, so please help me."

The psychological warfare between Jung Yi-shin and the copycat continued. Jung Yi-shin, ending the call first to provoke the copycat, was soon shared the fourth murder scene. By recognizing a song sung at the scene of Jung Yi-shin's past murder and a unique wound on the victim, they identified Kang Yeon-joong, the son of the man Jung Yi-shin killed, as a suspect. Even the revelation that Kang Yeon-joong had changed gender brought them closer to apprehending the copycat. However, mistrust from team members who learned of the relationship between Cha Soo-yeol and Jung Yi-shin, coupled with Lee Jung-yeon's confusion upon hearing the truth, ushered the investigation into a new phase.

The flashback interrogation scene between Jung Yi-shin and Detective Choi Jung-ho (Jo Sung-ha) also left a lasting impression. Facing Choi Jung-ho's suspicion with a smile, Jung Yi-shin said, "Please help Jeong-ho develop empathy and resemble you, Detective," revealing her maternal instincts for her son alongside her chilling psychopathic side. The intense acting chemistry between Ko Hyun-jung and Jo Sung-ha was remarkable.

Ko Hyun-jung brought depth to Jung Yi-shin, who masterfully manipulates the copycat killer, exuding an extraordinary aura. Her gaze shifted 180 degrees and her emotions neared ecstasy as she watched the murder scene unfold in real-time, creating a horrifying tension. Her maniacal expression, as if intoxicated by murder, added to the goosebumps. Ko Hyun-jung's skillful portrayal, with rapidly changing eyes and subtle facial expressions, instantly immersed viewers, offering a truly chilling experience. Like Jung Yi-shin, who stays one step ahead of the copycat, Ko Hyun-jung enhances the drama's quality with her own foresight in acting.

Ko Hyun-jung's performance, consistently drawing reactions of "She can act to this extent," is proving to be a career-defining moment, further intensifying anticipation for 'The Scorpion: Killer's Outing' as it heads towards its conclusion.

Ko Hyun-jung debuted in the entertainment industry in 1989 after participating in the 29th Miss Korea pageant. She gained immense popularity in 2009 for her role as Queen Seondeok in the drama of the same name, earning the Grand Prize at the year-end drama awards. In 2021, she took on a new challenge by appearing in the stage play 'King Lear.'