Just when you think The Scarecrow can’t get more intense, it pulls you right back in. Episode 9 brings a courtroom showdown, a shocking new murder victim, and a psychological battle between two men who despise each other — playing out in front of a judge and the whole of Korea.
Table of Contents
The Scarecrow — Episode 9
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Drama | The Scarecrow |
| Network | ENA |
| Episode | 9 (airs May 18, 2026 at 10 PM KST) |
| Key Characters | Kang Tae Joo (Park Hae Soo), Cha Si Young (Lee Hee Joon), Im Seok Man (Baek Seung Hwan) |
| Timeline | Set between 1988 and 2019 |
| Central Mystery | Gangseong serial murder case — and whether the right man is on trial |
What Happened Last Episode — And What’s Coming
The tension between Kang Tae Joo and Cha Si Young has been building for weeks, but the last episode pushed it to a full breaking point. Kang Tae Joo exploded in anger after seeing people gather at the funeral hall for Cha Si Young’s mother, while those same people had not shown their faces at the memorial for Lee Ki Beom, who had been falsely accused through an illegal investigation and met a tragic death. Kang Tae Joo caused chaos at the funeral hall, and an enraged Cha Si Young retaliated by framing him with abuse allegations — forcing Kang Tae Joo to leave Gangseong with a vow to destroy Cha Si Young.
Now, in Episode 9, the courtroom becomes their new battlefield. The newly released stills capture the trial of Gangseong serial murder suspect Im Seok Man. After Cha Si Young previously demanded the death penalty, the trial resumed in a heavier atmosphere — with Kang Tae Joo, who was the first to identify Im Seok Man and personally apprehend him, now appearing in the witness stand.
Cha Si Young’s unreadable expression as he questions Kang Tae Joo, almost as if testing his reactions, heightens the tension — while Im Seok Man watches the psychological battle with a gaze that conveys both anxiety and anticipation. soompi
And then the episode preview complicates everything further. Kang Tae Joo discovered the body of another murder victim and realised the Gangseong serial murder case was not over yet. Cha Si Young cornered him by asking: “So you’re saying someone who directly saw the body could commit a copycat murder?”
If confirmed as the real killer’s work, Im Seok Man would be cleared — and the illegal investigation that put him there exposed.
Serial killer investigations in crime dramas work best when the procedural and personal are inseparable — and The Scarecrow is doing exactly that, weaving a 30-year grudge match through one of Korean television’s most compelling murder mysteries of 2026.
For full episode recaps, drama reviews, and K-thriller recommendations, visit TechnoSports’ Korean Drama section. Also check out our Best Korean Crime Dramas to Watch in 2026 guide for more must-watch thrillers.
FAQs
Q: What is The Scarecrow K-drama about and who stars in it?
The Scarecrow is an ENA crime thriller starring Park Hae Soo and Lee Hee Joon, set between 1988 and 2019, following two men bound by hatred as they chase the truth across a 30-year serial murder case.
Q: What happens in The Scarecrow Episode 9?
Kang Tae Joo takes the witness stand at Im Seok Man’s murder trial while simultaneously uncovering a new victim — raising the terrifying possibility that the Gangseong serial killer may still be active.
