Netflix has locked in September 26, 2025, as the release date for its new Korean movie Mantis. It’s not just another thriller.
It’s a spin-off from Kill Boksoon, but with a new focus, fresh blood, and old rivalries. This time, the rules don’t matter. Everyone’s chasing the top spot. Si-Wan and Gyu-Young star in the Mantis Korean Movie 2025.
Im Si-wan plays Han-wool, also known as Mantis. The poster features Han-ul, the main character, in a bright red outfit. The red is not subtle. It looks like blood, and it tells the audience exactly what to expect: violence.
Han-ul is not an ordinary man. He is a top killer under MK ENT, Korea’s largest contract killing agency. His nickname is Mantis, and his name alone spreads fear. In Kill Boksoon, his name was mentioned in passing.
Now, he’s back from a long break, and the industry is in chaos. MK Ent., the agency that once had order, is now leaderless. That’s where Mantis steps in. He sees the gap. He wants control. But he’s not alone.
Park Gyu-young joins as Jae-i. She’s not your average assassin. She’s fast, smart, and was kicked out by MK Ent. after falling out of favor.
Her history with Mantis goes back to their training days. Now, things are complicated. There’s a weird mix of loyalty, bitterness, and tension between them.
Jo Woo-jin adds another layer. He plays Dok-go, a legend in the business. Long retired. But the vacuum in leadership pulls him back. He’s not here for games. He’s here to remind everyone why he was feared. Fans await Mantis Korean Movie 2025 for its intense plot.
A Darker, Grittier Extension of ‘Kill Boksoon’
The world of Mantis is brutal. No one trusts anyone. Everyone has their own motives. Unlike most action films, this one doesn’t try to show heroes. The story follows villains.
Not just bad people, but killers who justify their jobs. That’s what makes this film different. It walks into the ‘picaresque’ genre. The kind where the flawed character leads the story, not the good guy.
Director Lee Tae-sung makes his debut here. But he’s not a stranger to this world. He was the assistant director for Kill Boksoon.
The script is co-written by Byun Sung-Hyun, the director of the original film. So, fans can expect similar intensity and layered conflict.
Cast with Strong Past Roles and Netflix Buzz
Im Si-wan is taking bold steps again. Known for roles in Squid Game Season 2 and Unlocked, he’s proving his range. He’s not trying to be liked here. He’s playing someone with no soft side. He even said himself, this role continues his streak of villain characters, something he started with The Villainess.
Park Gyu-young is another familiar face. From Sweet Home to Celebrity, she’s played many layers. Her role as a former insider now turned outsider gives her space to be unpredictable. Her character is emotionally tangled, and maybe a little dangerous.
She is not a side character. She is a rival. Her line in the trailer, “Aren’t I above you now?” hits hard. It shows the fragile line between friendship and competition.
Jo Woo-jin brings experience. He’s played gritty roles before in Narco-Saints and Harbin. His role as Dok-go might be the most grounded of all. A man pulled back into violence after leaving it behind.
He is older, retired, but his return shakes everything. His presence signals that the battle for dominance will not be simple. Younger killers fight for the top, but old legends still haunt the scene. That mix of past and present killers makes the story feel layered.
The director has made it clear—this is not a fancy, stylish fight film. It’s grim. It’s about power, revenge, and people who’ve lost their moral compass. And that makes it more real than most shiny action dramas out there.
Actor Reflections, Not Just Characters in MANTIS Korean Movie 2025
Outside the film, Im Si-wan spoke about his choices. He said he enjoyed playing bad characters but doesn’t want to do it forever. He even mentioned Mission: Impossible as a movie that inspired him, not just for its action, but for the challenge.
Si-Wan wants to grow, not repeat. He laughed when asked if he’d take a role where he had to kill someone if Tom Cruise was in the film. His answer? Yes. No hesitation.
He also mentioned he’s been resting lately. No filming. Just promoting Squid Game 3 and waiting for the right project. He’s clear—taking a break helps. It gives him more energy when he returns.
This makes his role in Mantis even more interesting. He didn’t pick it randomly. He waited for something worth doing. Something heavy. Something dark.
Final Thoughts
Mantis looks intense, stylish, and layered. It blends brutal action with character conflict. It questions loyalty and power in a world without rules. Viewers who enjoy crime thrillers with sharp action will find plenty here. But they will also face a story about survival, betrayal, and ambition.
Netflix’s release of Mantis on September 26 is not just about another action movie. It feels like a test of how far Korean cinema can push genre storytelling on a global platform.
The movie is not offering comfort. It is offering conflict. And in that conflict, viewers may find one of the boldest Korean action stories of the year.
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Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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