Why 'The Scarecrow' starring Park Hae Soo and Lee Hee Joon is worth watching

Just two episodes in, 'The Scarecrow' has seen its ratings surge sharply, quickly becoming a hot topic. Inspired by South Korea’s infamous Lee Chun Jae serial murder case—once considered the nation’s worst long-running unsolved crime—the drama sparked intense reactions immediately after its premiere. Viewers praised its “cinematic immersion” and noted that “it’s even more chilling because it’s based on real events,” with such responses rapidly spreading across social media and online communities.

4.1% in Two Episodes… An Unusual Rise for ENA

'The Scarecrow' premiered on April 20. While Episode 1 started at a typical rating level for ENA’s weekday dramas, Episode 2 saw a roughly 2.5-fold jump, reaching 4.1% nationwide (Nielsen Korea). Considering the scale and characteristics of the ENA channel, this is considered an exceptional figure. It is rare for cable or general programming dramas to show such a steep increase within just two episodes.

Word-of-mouth played a crucial role in driving viewership. Many viewers said that once they watched Episode 1, it was impossible not to continue to Episode 2. Early audiences actively recommended the show, helping boost its second-episode ratings.

Exclusive OTT Release on TVING… Expanding Content Reach

Streaming platform TVING confirmed exclusive OTT distribution of 'The Scarecrow' in line with its premiere. The announcement was made official on April 13, with the drama available exclusively on TVING alongside its ENA broadcast.

By securing exclusive streaming rights, TVING is also targeting office workers and younger viewers who may find it difficult to watch the live broadcast.

Director Park Jun Woo and Writer Lee Ji Hyun Reunite—The 'Taxi Driver' Team Returns

The production team alone had already captured the attention of genre fans ahead of the premiere. Director Park Jun Woo, formerly a PD on SBS’s investigative program 'Unanswered Questions,' is known for his work on genre hits such as 'Taxi Driver' and 'Crash.' The script is written by Lee Ji Hyun, who previously worked on several episodes of 'Taxi Driver.'

Rather than relying on graphic depictions of violence, Park is known for focusing on the psychology of characters confronting crime and capturing the social atmosphere of the era. His experience on 'Unanswered Questions' is clearly reflected in this approach. In Episodes 1 and 2, the horror centers less on the brutality of the crimes themselves and more on the reactions of witnesses and the movements of power surrounding the incident.

Park Hae Soo, Lee Hee Joon, and Kwak Sun Young Deliver Tense “Toxic Relationship” Chemistry

The casting itself is one of the drama’s biggest draws. Park Hae Soo stars as Kang Tae Ju, a detective demoted in 1988 and sent back to his hometown, where he senses that a series of brutal murders are the work of a serial killer and begins investigating.

Lee Hee Joon plays Cha Si Young, an elite, cold-hearted prosecutor and Tae Ju’s long-time adversary. A character driven solely by power, he shares a deeply antagonistic history with Tae Ju. Kwak Sun Young takes on the role of Seo Ji Won, a journalist deeply involved in tracking the case, repeatedly clashing and cooperating with the two men.

Supporting cast members include Song Geon Hee, Seo Ji Hye, Jung Moon Sung, Baek Hyun Jin, and Yoo Seung Mok.

The relationship between the two male leads forms the core tension of the series. Kang Tae Ju suspects that Cha Si Young has tried to bury the truth for personal gain, yet he needs his authority to catch the culprit. Cha Si Young, in turn, relies on Tae Ju’s relentless investigative skills to achieve his own ambitions. Their dynamic—one of mutual hatred and reluctant cooperation—anchors the narrative.

Park Hae Soo delivers a near dual-role performance through special makeup, portraying both a passionate detective in 1988 and an elderly profiler in 2019. He differentiates the same character across 30 years through subtle changes in facial expression and vocal tone.

The Meaning Behind the Title 'The Scarecrow'

The title is drawn from an actual scarecrow placed at crime scenes during the Lee Chun Jae investigation to provoke a confession from the perpetrator. Beyond being a simple prop, it symbolizes multiple layers: falsely accused individuals used as scapegoats, a societal structure that forced silence despite knowing the truth, and authority manipulated by unseen forces.

The drama alternates between the 1988 investigation and Kang Tae Ju’s present as a profiler in 2019. It explores how past choices shape the present and how truths revealed decades later continue to shake those involved.

Compared to 'Memories of Murder'—But With a Key Difference

From early on, 'The Scarecrow' has been compared to director Bong Joon Ho’s 2003 film 'Memories of Murder.' Both works share the same real-life case as their foundation and depict detectives pursuing a serial killer in a rural town during the 1980s.

However, their perspectives differ fundamentally.

'Memories of Murder' centers on the fact that, at the time of its release, the killer had not been identified. The film’s emotional core lies in that uncertainty—the idea that the truth may never be known. Its fear stems not from the killer himself, but from the despair of never reaching the truth.

In contrast, 'The Scarecrow' begins where that uncertainty ends. In 2019, Lee Chun Jae was identified through DNA evidence and confessed, 33 years after the crimes. The drama builds on this conclusion to ask more uncomfortable questions: Why did it take so long? What—or who—prevented the truth from emerging?

While 'Memories of Murder' focused on the conflict and collaboration among detectives, 'The Scarecrow' shifts its lens to the power dynamics between police and prosecutors. Cha Si Young is not a simple antagonist, but a portrayal of an elite legal figure who prioritizes career and power over truth.

Another key difference lies in the victims’ narratives. While 'Memories of Murder' centered on investigators, 'The Scarecrow' expands its scope to include the lives shattered by the incidents—those wrongfully accused, the families who endured stigma for decades, and the wounds that remain even after the truth is revealed.

Ultimately, if 'Memories of Murder' asked, “Why couldn’t we catch the killer?” 'The Scarecrow' asks, “Why hasn’t society changed even after the killer was caught?” One is about investigative failure; the other is about the irreversible damage left behind when truth arrives too late.

Meticulous Recreation of the 1980s

One of the most praised aspects among viewers is the show’s detailed depiction of the late 1980s. From props and fashion to the broader social atmosphere, the period is recreated with remarkable precision.

For viewers in their 40s and 50s, it evokes nostalgia, while for younger audiences unfamiliar with the era, it provides a fresh and immersive backdrop.

'The Scarecrow' is an original work with no source material. It airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM KST on ENA and is available exclusively for streaming on TVING.