ENA’s ‘The Scarecrow’ Soars to 8.5% Peak Ratings in Just 6 Episodes, Overtakes Netflix Hit
by K-Soul · allkpopENA has scored a major breakthrough with its Monday–Tuesday drama 'The Scarecrow,' which continues to smash its own ratings records while outperforming Netflix’s buzzworthy series 'If Wishes Could Kill' in OTT rankings.
Not only has the drama climbed to the top tier of trending OTT content, but it has also rewritten its personal best ratings just six episodes in—securing the No. 2 spot among all ENA dramas in history.
Second Highest in ENA History in Just 6 Episodes—Can It Beat 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo'?
According to Nielsen Korea, episode 6 of 'The Scarecrow,' which aired on May 5, recorded a nationwide rating of 7.4%. This surpasses 'Ms. Incognito' to become the No. 1 Monday–Tuesday drama in ENA history and No. 2 overall among ENA dramas.
Only 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo,' which holds the record at 17.5%, remains ahead.
Like 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo,' 'The Scarecrow' has shown a steady upward trajectory. The series debuted at 2.9% and climbed consistently: 4.1% (episode 2), 5.0% (episode 3), 5.2% (episode 4), and 6.3% (episode 5). Episode 6 then surged to a nationwide average of 7.4%, peaking at 8.3%, while recording 7.7% in the Seoul metropolitan area and a peak of 8.5%, ranking No. 1 in its time slot across all channels.
With no signs of stagnation or decline, the drama’s relentless upward momentum has drawn attention.
Inspired by Lee Chun Jae Serial Murders…A Story Spanning 30 Years
'The Scarecrow' is a crime investigation thriller that follows a detective pursuing the culprit behind a string of serial murders, who ends up forming an unexpected alliance with someone he despises.
The narrative spans three decades, from 1988 to 2019. Director Park Jun Woo explained, “By creating a fictional village, we wanted to revisit how a rural community in the greater Seoul area experienced a series of murders in the late 1980s, and why the culprit was never caught at the time.”
The title 'The Scarecrow' is inspired by an actual scarecrow installed by police during the Lee Chun Jae serial murder case, symbolizing not just an object but a figure manipulated by unseen forces.
Who Is the Killer? From Lee Yong Woo to Lee Ki Beom and Lee Ki Hwan
The biggest question among viewers remains: who is the real killer?
Within the story, Lee Yong Woo is officially identified as the culprit. In the 2019 timeline, while serving time for murdering his sister-in-law, DNA testing reveals him to be the perpetrator behind the Kang Sung serial killings. However, in a bold narrative choice, the drama reveals the killer early on—yet Lee Yong Woo remains eerily calm, even taunting detective Kang Tae Joo after his capture.
Suspicion does not end there. Lee Ki Hwan, the older brother of Lee Ki Beom and owner of Kang Sung Bookstore, has also come under scrutiny. The victim’s last known location before death was his bookstore, and he was found in possession of one of the victim’s belongings. Additionally, some viewers speculate that the unidentified voice of the killer heard in early episodes resembles Lee Ki Hwan.
Fan theories remain divided between Lee Ki Beom acting alone and Lee Ki Hwan orchestrating events from behind the scenes. Others suggest the possibility of the brothers working together—or even that Lee Ki Beom is being framed, adding further tension to the plot.
‘Taxi Driver’ Writer Meets ‘Crash’ Director…Park Hae Soo and Lee Hee Joon Reunite
'The Scarecrow' is directed by Park Jun Woo, known for 'Taxi Driver' and 'Crash,' and written by Lee Ji Hyun, who also penned 'Taxi Driver.' The series is produced by Studio Anjillen and planned by KT Studio Genie.
Lead actors Park Hae Soo and Lee Hee Joon reunite for the third time following 'Chimera' and 'Bad Connection,' continuing their collaboration in the crime thriller genre.
Park Hae Soo shared, “Rather than appearing polished, I wanted to portray a raw, human side. Kang Tae Joo is a character who keeps breaking down, but through that process, he finds room to grow.”
Lee Hee Joon added, “Since the story is based on real events, we promised not to ‘act’ in a performative way. We aimed to feel like real people at every moment.”
Park Hae Soo also acknowledged the weight of portraying a real-life-inspired story, saying, “There are still victims and bereaved families who carry this pain. I approached the role with seriousness and a deep sense of responsibility.”
Cast Dominates Buzz Rankings, Surpasses Netflix Originals
In Good Data Corporation’s fourth-week-of-April TV–OTT search rankings, Scarecrow jumped 12 spots to claim No. 1. The cast also dominated keyword rankings, with Song Geon Hee (No. 1), Park Hae Soo (No. 2), Lee Hee Joon (No. 3), Kwak Sun Young (No. 4), and Seo Ji Hye (No. 7) all placing in the top 10.
The drama has also proven its presence in the OTT space. In the fifth-week-of-April OTT K-original content viewer evaluation report, it ranked No. 2 among newly launched titles, outperforming Netflix’s 'If Wishes Could Kill', Wavve’s 'Reverse,' and Coupang Play’s 'The Absolute Value of Romance.' It recorded a 13% viewing rate and a satisfaction score of 74, earning praise as a well-made series.
Episode 6 Recap: A New Suspect Emerges
Episode 6 delivered another major twist. It was revealed that Cha Si Young (Lee Hee Joon) was behind Lee Ki Beom’s false confession, shocking Kang Tae Joo (Park Hae Soo) and overturning the investigation.
Suspicion toward Lee Ki Hwan briefly subsided due to a blood type mismatch, but a new suspect—Im Seok Man (Baek Seung Hwan)—soon emerged. His limp, remembered by Kang Soon Young (Seo Ji Hye), and forensic isotope analysis aligning with his work environment created a chilling revelation. His eerie smile in the final scene further heightened viewers’ suspicions.
With six episodes down and the story reaching its midpoint, speculation continues to grow. Could there be yet another mastermind behind Lee Ki Hwan?
'The Scarecrow' is a 12-episode series airing every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM on ENA, and is also available on Genie TV and TVING.
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