2025's highest-rated K-Drama: Where to watch Go Hyun-jung, Jang Dong-yoon's thriller series online, bags second spot after Bon Appétit, Your Majesty

After everyone’s current favourite K-drama Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, the next series grabbing the spotlight and climbing the ranks is none other than Queen Mantis. This gripping crime drama, led by Go Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon, has quickly become one of 2025’s most talked-about shows since its debut earlier this month. Blending psychological tension with emotional complexity, Queen Mantis follows the story of a woman with a chilling past—she murdered five men over two decades and earned the nickname “Mantis.” Now, decades later, her estranged son, who has become a police officer, must confront his past in an unimaginable way.

Queen Mantis breaks record

For the unversed, Queen Mantis premiered on September 5, 2025, and has released four out of its eight planned episodes so far. The show airs every Friday and Saturday, bringing high-stakes drama to the weekend TV lineup. It is available to stream on SBS in South Korea and internationally on Viki. The show's teaser and trailers had already hinted at an intense mother-son dynamic, but the series has gone beyond expectations.



In terms of ratings and buzz, Queen Mantis is enjoying a stellar mid-season run. According to Good Data Corporation, a trusted source for tracking K-drama popularity, the show has jumped to the second position on the weekly list of most buzzworthy dramas, right behind Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. Lead actress Go Hyun-jung ranks third in the most buzzworthy actor list, with Jang Dong-yoon following at seven.


The ratings numbers back up the hype. Episode 1 kicked off with a solid 7.1% nationwide viewership (as per Nielsen Korea), immediately topping its time slot. Episode 2 peaked at an impressive 10% in real-time, episode 3 recorded 7.3%, and episode 4 edged up further to 7.5%, maintaining the show’s No. 1 position in its time slot across Friday-Saturday primetime. With only four episodes left, we are looking forward to what's going to happen next.

More about Queen Mantis

Directed by Byun Young-joo and written by Lee Young-jong, Queen Mantis balances suspense with emotional storytelling. Viewers have praised its sharp pacing, unexpected twists, and stylized direction. The series also stars Cho Seong-ha, Lee El, and Kim Bo-ra, rounding out a strong ensemble cast.


With compelling writing and powerhouse performances, Queen Mantis is going to be the must-watch K-drama of the year, and one that’s only getting better with each episode.