Jung Moon Sung Apologizes for Scarecrow Killer Role

Actor Jung Moon-sung has apologized to viewers for the shocking twist in the drama 'Straw Man'. Studio Genie posted a behind-the-scenes video on its official X (formerly Twitter) account with the caption, "I trusted Lee Ki-hwan as much as I suspected Lee Yong-woo," along with a video titled 'Jung Moon-sung's Public Apology'. In the video, Jung Moon-sung said, "You must have been very surprised. Yes, it was me. First of all, I'm sorry, and I did everything wrong."

In the finale of the ENA Monday-Tuesday drama 'Straw Man', which aired on the 11th, Jung Moon-sung was revealed to be the real killer, 'Lee Yong-woo', in the Kang Sung serial murder case. He was the same person as Lee Ki-hwan, the older brother of Lee Ki-beom (Song Geon-hee), who was framed as a suspect during the investigation of the 1988 case. In particular, a scene where Lee Ki-hwan deliberately let Lee Ki-beom die from the aftereffects of torture while he was being cleared of false charges and returning home angered viewers. In the following episode 8, it was revealed that he was 'Lee Yong-woo' in the 2019 timeline, but he chillingly pretended to be a family member of the victim, telling Kang Tae-joo, who knew nothing, "Let's never meet again."

Regarding his dual role, Jung Moon-sung requested, "Please forgive my acting, not Yong-woo's sins, and enjoy the show." The accompanying making-of video showed him contemplating how to hide 'Lee Yong-woo's' identity, such as wearing glasses during a visit scene, and also captured his cheerful side, like striking a V-pose in front of the camera while rehearsing the scene where he attacks Seo Ji-won (Kwak Sun-young).

Meanwhile, the drama 'Straw Man' is a story that spans 30 years from 1988 to 2019, following two men entangled in a fated relationship as they uncover the truth behind a serial murder case. It is based on the real-life Chun Jae-yi serial murders that occurred in areas like Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, from the mid-1980s to the early 1990s. The drama is receiving praise as a "well-made investigative drama" and is continuing its word-of-mouth success, recording 7.4% viewership according to Nielsen Korea's nationwide paid household ratings.