Scarecrow's Rising Buzz: Unexpected Reaction

ENA's Monday-Tuesday drama 'Scarecrow' is receiving praise as a 'well-made thriller,' breaking its own viewership ratings record with each episode. Premiering on April 20th with a viewership rating of 2.9%, it reached 4.1% by its second episode, surpassing the highest rating (3.9%) of its predecessor, 'Climax.' Since then, it has consistently increased its own highest viewership ratings, reaching 5.0% in episode 3 and 5.2% in episode 4.

The drama 'Scarecrow' tells the story of a detective investigating a serial murder case who unexpectedly forms an alliance with a person he despises. While based on the Lee Chun-jae serial murders, a subject already familiar to the public through films like 'Memories of Murder,' the drama is stimulating viewers' curiosity by adding a new narrative.

The main narrative of the drama focuses on the "alliance of animosity" between detective Kang Tae-joo (played by Park Hae-soo) and prosecutor Cha Si-young (played by Lee Hee-joon). The process of the two men pursuing the truth, spanning over 30 years from 1988 to 2019, enriches the story not only through the case itself but also through in-depth character portrayals.

While dealing with a known case, 'Scarecrow' enhances viewer immersion through unpredictable twists in each episode and devices that encourage viewers to deduce the killer. Director Park Joon-woo stated, "The killer appears in the first and last scenes of every episode," revealing that the scene where Tae-joo, now in his 60s, confronts the killer appears in the first scene, suggesting that viewers should try to deduce the killer from the past scenes as a viewing point. This character-centric story has led to high buzz, with actors Song Geon-hee, Park Hae-soo, Lee Hee-joon, Kwak Sun-young, and Seo Ji-hye ranking high in Good Data's drama TV-OTT search response for the fourth week of April.

Director Park Joon-woo, who helmed the drama, has been recognized for his directing skills in delivering dramatic stories and profound social messages through dramas like 'Doctor Detective,' 'The Good Detective,' and 'Crash,' based on his experience directing SBS current affairs programs such as 'Unanswered Questions' and 'Curious Story Y.' In 'Scarecrow,' he is also receiving praise for his sharp portrayal of the late 1980s era and the impact of the brutal incidents on the local community and its people.