A serial killer case. Two men who despise each other. And three decades of secrets waiting to unravel. ENA’s The Scarecrow is shaping up to be the must-watch crime thriller of the season — and Lee Hee Joon’s transformation into prosecutor Cha Si Young might just be his career-defining performance.
Table of Contents
The Scarecrow: Key Details
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Drama Title | The Scarecrow |
| Network | ENA |
| Premiere Date | April 20, 2026 |
| Air Time | 10 PM KST |
| Genre | Crime / Suspense Thriller |
| Time Span | 1988 – 2019 (30 years) |
| Lead Actor | Lee Hee Joon as Cha Si Young |
| Co-lead | Park Hae Soo as Kang Tae Joo |
| Streaming | Viki (international) |
What Is The Scarecrow About?
The Scarecrow follows a detective investigating a series of murders who is forced into an unlikely partnership with a man he despises. Set between 1988 and 2019, the suspenseful story tracks two men bound by misfortune and an uneasy alliance of hatred as they chase the truth across 30 years. Wikipedia
A 30-year timeline. A cold case that never went cold. Two men who can barely stand each other — and yet can’t solve it alone. This premise alone is appointment viewing.
Lee Hee Joon’s Most Complex Character Yet
Lee Hee Joon plays elite prosecutor Cha Si Young — a character shaped by both desire and deprivation, who combines cold judgment with political savvy. His carefully measured exterior radiates dignity and composure, but his inner world hides a burning ambition. Wikipedia
To win his father’s approval and step into politics, he leads an investigation into the Gangseong serial murder case and proposes a collaboration with Kang Tae Joo, the lead detective connected to him through a complex relationship dating back to their school days. Wikipedia
The stills tell the whole story — his perfectly tailored suit worn without a single wrinkle reflects his perfectionist nature, yet when he interacts with others, he shows genuine charm through polite manners and a soft smile — a hidden side that leads to an unexpected twist. Wikipedia
What Lee Hee Joon Says About the Role
Lee Hee Joon described Cha Si Young not just as a prosecutor trying to solve a case, but as someone with complex emotions — his desire for his father’s approval, the sense of inferiority tied to his birth, and his long-standing relationship with Kang Tae Joo all shaping his choices. He believes the character becomes increasingly driven by desire as those emotions accumulate. Wikipedia
That kind of slow-building psychological unravelling is exactly what great crime dramas are built on.
Learn more about Lee Hee Joon on Wikipedia — a consistently underrated actor now stepping fully into the spotlight he deserves.
For more ENA drama previews and K-drama thriller recommendations, visit our latest Korean drama coverage on Technosports and our April 2026 K-drama premiere guide.
FAQs
Q: Is The Scarecrow based on a true story or a webtoon?
The Scarecrow is an original drama — not based on a webtoon or real events — set across a fictional 30-year timeline from 1988 to 2019, following a serial murder investigation and the fractured partnership at its centre. Wikipedia
Q: Does The Scarecrow reunite Lee Hee Joon and Park Hae Soo?
Yes — the two previously appeared together in Chimera, making The Scarecrow a highly anticipated reunion for fans who loved their on-screen dynamic in that earlier crime drama.
