Queen Mantis Episode 6 Recap: The Killer’s Mind Revealed

In Queen Mantis Episode 6, I-shin arrives at the crime scene where Min-jae has been brutally murdered. An X is carved into his chest. She tells Su-yeol that the killer was in a hurry and that the scene does not match his usual style.

She opens a drawing and realizes it is the same painting of her and Su-yeol at the beach, while Min-jae watched. Back then, Min-jae longed for I-shin’s attention. Su-yeol tells her he will think like the killer to catch the copycat. I-shin needs to step into the killer’s mind, too.

The killer calls I-shin, and Su-yeol asks her to stall for time. During the call, she asks if he killed the webtoon artist, Min-Jae. He admits that he did. I-shin notices that the crime scene feels wrong, not like either of their styles.

The killer says he killed Min-jae after the painting was finished. I-shin laughs at how he thinks he is showing her legacy. The call ends, but the killer soon video-calls her while wearing a mask.

I-shin’s laughter isn’t just defiance; it’s the genuine reaction of a master dismissing an amateur. The copycat seeks her validation, but she immediately identifies his work as inferior (“the scene feels wrong”).

This establishes the core conflict: he isn’t just copying her; he’s desperately trying to earn the approval of his twisted idol, making him even more predictable.

Killer’s Twisted Plan

He shows her a setup and tells her he can kill, but she cannot. He threatens to replicate her fourth murder victim, Yeong-ho. In the past, she had killed him by searing his nose with a spoon, leaving all four limbs broken.

The killer says his decision to kill Min-jae was impulsive, but this time, he plans to do it “nicely.” He shows her a spoon and a torch. Suddenly, the doorbell rings, and the call ends. The killer opens the door with an injection in hand.

Ji-an traces the location using a hotel sticker from the video call. The killer video calls I-shin again. Behind him is a tied-up man. I-shin tells him to take his time. He beats the man with a hammer, breaking all four limbs.

I-shin watches with curiosity and fascination. This chilling moment is crucial for understanding I-shin. Her “curiosity and fascination” are not for the violence itself, but for the method. She is a consummate artist studying a student’s technique.

The show brilliantly makes the viewer complicit—we are also watching, horrified yet unable to look away, mirroring the audience’s own complex relationship with the true-crime genre.

Police Intervention & Chaos

Meanwhile, the police arrive at the hotel and start searching the rooms. The killer shows excitement while torching the spoon. Na-hee wants to ring the bell to alert the victim, but Su-yeol refuses, hoping to catch the culprit.

Su-yeol recalls room 418 from old records. Na-hee, wanting to save the victim, presses the bell. The video call cuts. Chaos erupts. Na-hee rescues the injured man. Su-yeol chases a shady figure but is attacked and faints.

The killer escapes. The victim turns out to be the general manager and a follower of Jo-i from a dating app. Na-hee starts doubting Su-yeol because of his strange reasoning and connections to the victims.

Su-yeol meets I-shin with photos of the crime scene. Before leaving, I-shin hums a tune. Su-yeol remembers that the killer hummed the same tune during the video call.

They realize the killer was likely present during past murders to know such details. I-shin reviews her fourth murder analysis and notices two wounds she did not make.

She deduces that a kid stabbed the corpse after she left. I-shin remembers a boy near a mining town who used to follow her. The boy had a dead cat, full of wounds.

The boy, Yeon-jung, suffered severe trauma from his father. He was forced to eat human waste and chained by his ankles. His father seared a spoon into his nose. I-shin and Su-yeol visit Yeon-jung’s mother in the hospital.

Family Truths Unveiled

The team also interrogates the 4th victim, Hyeon-ho’s friend. He explains that Yeong-ho used dating apps to meet Jo-i. When they met, Jo-i asked him to turn off the lights and even told him to choke her. She said doing so would save lives.

Su-yeol questions Yeon-jung’s mother about her son. She admits he killed a dog named Dallae. She describes him dressing up differently, acting unlike other kids. Su-yeol concludes that Yeon-jung might suffer from gender dysphoria and antisocial behavior due to trauma.

The team searches for psychologists and plastic surgeons who may have treated similar cases. A clinic receptionist mentions meeting a girl who stood out and said society underestimates women as a threat, which is such an advantageous thing.

When Su-yeol returns, the team learns he is I-shin’s son. Na-hee asks him to leave the team. They argue. Jung-ho arrives and announces Yeong-ho has died. Su-yeol is devastated.

He goes home and tells Jung-yeon the truth: her mother, I-shin, is the serial killer, Mantis. Jung-yeon is shocked. Su-yeol apologizes but says he understands her feelings. He admits he did not want a child, fearing blood in his veins could create another monster. He leaves, saying he loves her.

Final Thoughts & Predictions for the Finale:

Episode 14 successfully transformed the copycat from a faceless threat into a profoundly tragic figure. The revelation of Yeon-jung’s childhood is the show’s thematic core. It argues that violence is a learned language, passed down through trauma.

• The Biggest Question: The finale must now resolve the Su-yeol/Jung-yeon dynamic. His confession was a heartbreaking release of a decades-long burden, but can their relationship survive the truth?

• The Final Confrontation: The ending won’t just be I-shin vs. Yeon-jung. It will be a clash of philosophies: I-shin’s controlled, artistic killing vs. Yeon-jung’s impulsive, approval-seeking rage. Will Su-yeol have to choose between saving victims or catching the the monster?

This series excels because it understands that the most terrifying monsters are human, and their stories are written in pain.

Conclusion

With only two episodes left, Queen Mantis promises a tense finale. The show dives deeper into the dark minds of its characters. Viewers can catch new episodes every Friday and Saturday on SBS in Korea. For international fans, Queen Mantis is available on Netflix in select regions. Check local availability for streaming.

This series blends crime, mystery, and psychological drama in a way that keeps viewers analyzing every character’s move. Sharing recaps and updates ensures fans stay connected. Other K-drama recaps can also help viewers follow twists and hidden clues in similar thriller series.

The tension builds towards the inevitable conclusion. Don’t miss the two-part finale of Queen Mantis, airing Friday, September 26th & Saturday, September 27th on SBS in Korea. Share your own theories and predictions in the comments below!

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