ENA’s upcoming drama The Scarecrow has unveiled its first official posters, offering an early glimpse into a crime narrative built on tension, memory, and an uneasy partnership. Starring Park Hae Soo and Lee Hee Joon, the series positions itself as a character-driven thriller that spans three decades, intertwining personal history with a long-running serial murder case.
Set between 1988 and 2019, The Scarecrow follows ace detective Kang Tae Joo (Park Hae Soo) and elite prosecutor Cha Si Young (Lee Hee Joon), two men bound not by trust, but by a shared past marked by hostility. Kang Tae Joo, once a respected investigator in Seoul, returns to his hometown after a professional setback, seeing in a string of murders an opportunity to reclaim his standing. However, his path collides with Cha Si Young—his former school bully—forcing him into a partnership defined by resentment rather than cooperation.
Cha Si Young, on the other hand, embodies calculated ambition. As a prosecutor navigating both the legal system and political aspirations, his involvement in the case is driven as much by personal gain as by justice. Determined to earn his father’s approval and secure a future in politics, he views the Gangseong serial murder case as a stepping stone. This fundamental difference in motivation creates a layered dynamic: one man seeks redemption, the other advancement.
The first poster visually establishes this contrast. Set against expansive rice fields under a muted blue sky, the image evokes a rural past frozen in time, subtly referencing 1988. Kang Tae Joo appears in a relaxed, almost unrestrained manner, while Cha Si Young stands in sharp contrast—meticulously dressed, controlled, and distant. The presence of a luxury sedan adds a symbolic layer, hinting at class difference and the evolving social landscape.
The tagline, “Will you question, or will you cover up?” introduces the drama’s central thematic tension. Beyond the pursuit of a killer, the narrative appears to interrogate the boundaries between truth and institutional compromise. The murderer, described as both “catchable and untouchable,” suggests a deeper systemic complexity, where solving the case may require confronting forces beyond the individual.
A second poster intensifies the psychological atmosphere. The two leads are shown with sharply divergent expressions, emphasizing their conflicting inner worlds. Most striking is the figure of a scarecrow standing in darkened rice fields—its human-like silhouette blending into the landscape. This image functions as both a visual motif and a narrative metaphor, suggesting surveillance, concealment, and a prolonged game of pursuit.
Accompanied by the phrase, “Finally, I found you. My long-sought killer,” the poster hints at a long, obsessive investigation that stretches across time. The scarecrow itself becomes symbolic of the elusive antagonist—always present, yet difficult to grasp—reinforcing the drama’s tone of suspense and psychological tension.
According to the production team, the chemistry between Park Hae Soo and Lee Hee Joon will be a central highlight. Their characters, once bound by animosity, are now forced into collaboration, creating a narrative driven as much by interpersonal conflict as by the external investigation.
Blending crime, character study, and a multi-decade timeline, The Scarecrow is positioned to explore not only the mechanics of a serial murder case but also the lingering impact of past relationships. The drama is scheduled to premiere on April 20 at 10 p.m. KST.
