The SBS drama 'Queen Mantis,' starring Ko Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon, has achieved its highest viewership ratings to date.
According to Nielsen Korea, the fourth episode of 'Queen Mantis,' which aired on the 13th, recorded nationwide and metropolitan area ratings of 7.5%, marking a new personal best for the series. The peak viewership moment reached 9.6%. The drama also maintained its buzz with a 2049 demographic rating averaging 2.2% and peaking at 3.12%. The show continues to capture both viewership and public interest.
The plot took a dramatic turn as the prime suspect in the 'Mantis' copycat murders shifted from Seo Gu-wan (played by Lee Tae-gu) to a new character, Park Min-jae (played by Lee Chang-min). Seo Gu-wan's death in a hit-and-run accident hinted at Jeong Yi-shin (played by Ko Hyun-jung) as the perpetrator, shocking viewers. The episode ended with Jeong Yi-shin, who had escaped from a confinement facility, visiting her daughter-in-law Lee Jeong-yeon (played by Kim Bo-ra), leaving audiences on edge.
The truth behind Jeong Yi-shin's 'first murder' was revealed, shocking Cha Soo-yeol (played by Jang Dong-yoon) as he learned that her first victim was her husband, his father. Overwhelmed, Cha Soo-yeol sought out his grandfather, Jeong Hyun-nam (played by Lee Hwang-ui), who confessed to witnessing the murder but never revealing it due to guilt. Determined, Cha Soo-yeol vowed to catch the real killer.
Jeong Yi-shin and Cha Soo-yeol's investigation into the 'first murder' led them to suspect Park Eon-bae (played by Cha Soon-bae) and his son Park Min-jae. Park Eon-bae was known for his violent behavior towards his son, and Jeong Yi-shin might have been seen as a savior by Park Min-jae, leading Cha Soo-yeol to suspect him as the 'Mantis' copycat killer.
As Cha Soo-yeol feared, Park Min-jae's suspicious behavior continued as he approached Cha Soo-yeol's wife, Lee Jeong-yeon. In a tense confrontation, Park Min-jae provocatively brought up the 'Mantis' murders from 23 years ago. Cha Soo-yeol discovered a model of all the murder scenes at Park Min-jae's hideout and arrested him. However, Park Min-jae provided an alibi and cryptically asked, "Can I meet my mom just once?" indicating his knowledge of Jeong Yi-shin and Cha Soo-yeol's meeting.
Kim Na-hee (played by Lee El) visited the hospital where Seo Gu-wan was, harboring suspicions about Cha Soo-yeol. Seo Gu-wan, upon waking, attacked Kim Na-hee and ominously warned, "The Mantis will kill me because I know." He then escaped the hospital, only to be fatally struck by an unknown vehicle in front of Cha Soo-yeol. Before dying, Seo Gu-wan told Cha Soo-yeol, "You're just like your mom," leaving Cha Soo-yeol guilt-ridden for failing to prevent another death.
The identity of Seo Gu-wan's hit-and-run killer remains a mystery, adding a shocking twist to the fourth episode of 'Queen Mantis.' Jeong Yi-shin used the poison of the blister beetle she had been collecting to incapacitate her guard, Kim Woo-tae (played by Gil Eun-sung), and escape the confinement facility. Her timely emergence into the world coincided with Seo Gu-wan's death, and she appeared at Cha Soo-yeol and Lee Jeong-yeon's home the next day.
The episode concluded with Jeong Yi-shin nonchalantly greeting Lee Jeong-yeon, who was unaware of the situation, with "Hello, Lee Jeong-yeon," leaving viewers with numerous questions. Did Jeong Yi-shin kill Seo Gu-wan? What is her true motive for escaping? How will her escape impact Cha Soo-yeol's investigation into the 'Mantis' copycat crimes? The ending left audiences eagerly anticipating the next episode.
Reported by Lee So-jung, TenAsia forusojung@tenasia.co.kr