Kill Boksoon spin-off Mantis returns with stylish killers led by Squid Game villain Im Si-wan

SEOUL – Set in the universe of Netflix’s breakout South Korean hit film Kill Boksoon (2023), the upcoming spin-off Mantis introduces a slate of new assassins in what promises to be a visual feast of stylised action.

Now available on Netflix, the movie centres on skilled killer Han-wool (Im Si-wan), better known by his alias Mantis. He returns from a long hiatus to discover that the coveted top spot among killers is suddenly up for grabs.

He soon finds himself locked in a lethal competition with fellow killers Jae-yi (Park Gyu-young) and Dok-go (Jo Woo-jin), who are all determined to claim the throne.

Im, who starred as antagonist Lee Myung-gi in the second and third seasons of the popular Netflix dystopian thriller show Squid Game (2021 to 2025) and is best known as the lead of hit drama Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014), recalled how the role first came his way.

“When Kill Boksoon was being filmed, there was a reference to the character Mantis in the script. The director reached out to ask if I could make a voice cameo as Mantis. Although it ultimately didn’t happen, from that moment on, I was given the name Mantis,” said the South Korean actor-singer at a press conference in Seoul.

“In a way, I think it was destined that I would end up doing this film. I thought I’d go through a lot of hardship because of the action scenes, but I accepted it.”

On how his character diverges from typical screen depictions of killers, the 36-year-old noted: “It’s easy for killers to come across as flawless and untouchable, but in Mantis, I’ll be able to show a more human side by blending the qualities of someone who is just starting out in society. Even as a contract killer, he’s a character who loves society, so I can showcase a more diverse range of traits.”

Regarding the highly stylised action scenes, Im said: “My character fights with sickles in both hands. I think the nickname Mantis came from that striking visual. Since I had no experience using dual sickles, I had to train at an action school till I got used to it.”

Director Lee Tae-sung emphasised that, beyond the action, the film remains rooted in emotions. “The film isn’t about characters moving simply because of events. They act and make choices based on subtle emotions. It didn’t feel right to strip emotions away just because an action scene was happening.”

Im also teased the film’s climactic set piece, telling audiences that the scene they can look forward to “would have to be the ending”.

“There’s a three-way fight sequence – a 1:1:1 battle among the three characters. It’s not the kind of sequence you often see, and it also captures the sharp emotional confrontations among us. I hope people will look forward to seeing whether it turned out as well as we had intended.” THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK