Naman Shrestha
A spin-off to the 2023 movie ‘Kill Boksoon,’ Netflix’s ‘Mantis’ is a South Korean action thriller film that centers on the adventures of the titular character. Originally titled ‘Samagwi,’ the Lee Tae-sung directorial follows a competent and skilled assassin named Mantis, who reenters the chaotic and dangerous world of contract killing after a short hiatus. He notices that a lot has changed since he left the industry, as a retired legendary killer named Dok-go is the head of the organization. Upon returning to the assassin industry, Mantis also crosses paths with his former training partner and rival, Jae-yi. As all the assassins compete to become the number one killer, the protagonist must fight his way out of some dangerous situations through his unbeatable combat skills. The bright visuals and diverse backdrops add more flair to the high-octane, action-packed narrative.
Mantis Filming Locations
The shooting for ‘Mantis’ was conducted entirely in South Korea, supposedly in the Seoul metropolitan area. From the looks of it, principal photography for the spin-off got underway in early August 2024 and continued for more than three months before wrapping up in December of the same year. Thanks to the vast and versatile landscape of South Korea, which consists of historical locales as well as modern architectural wonders, it served as the ideal filming site for the movie.
Seoul Metropolitan Area, South Korea
It seems that most of the pivotal sequences for ‘Mantis’ were lensed in Seoul and its surrounding areas. Officially known as Seoul Special Metropolitan City, the capital of South Korea is situated in the northwest region of the country. The popular Han River that passes through the city is likely to have been featured in the backdrop of several outdoor portions, including the establishing shots. You might also be able to spot a few iconic landmarks and buildings located in the Seoul metropolitan area, such as Lotte World Tower, Gwanghwamun, the Korean National Assembly building, and the Seongsan Bridge.
In order to tape the indoor scenes, the production team seemingly took over some actual properties and businesses. However, some of them are possibly also recorded on a sound stage or two of one of the film studios situated in the region. Apart from ‘Mantis,’ the Seoul metropolitan area has hosted the production of numerous movies and TV shows over the years. Some of the notable ones include ‘Oldboy,’ ‘The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil,’ ‘The Bourne Legacy,’ ‘Good News,’ ‘Battle for Incheon: Operation Chromite,’ ‘Mercy for None,’ ‘Gangnam B-Side,’ and ‘Butterfly.’
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