Kwak Sun-young is starring in the ENA Monday-Tuesday drama ‘Scarecrow’, a gripping investigative thriller that spans 30 years from 1988 to 2019. The story follows two men tied together by a bitter fate as they chase the truth behind a series of murders. Inspired by the real-life Lee Chun-jae serial murder case, the show has been praised for blending genre thrills with a powerful message about historical violence, with ratings soaring to 7.4% (Nielsen Korea).
In the series, Kwak Sun-young delivers a powerful performance as Seo Ji-won, a reporter for Gangsung Ilbo active in the 1980s. As an elementary school classmate of the protagonist, Detective Kang Tae-joo (Park Hae-soo), she serves as a crucial ally and the rational voice of reason whenever he loses his way.
Kwak Sun-young’s delicate emotional control has deeply touched viewers. In episode 8, where Seo Ji-won almost gets hurt due to external pressure, she calmly says, “I didn’t become a reporter just to survive safely,” before breaking down with, “If I do nothing, I’ll feel sorry for the dead Gi-beom.” Through this, she represents the voice of citizens who were once helpless in the face of horrific violence.
Between recording an era in ‘Scarecrow’ and authentically delivering real-life detective episodes in ‘Brave Detectives 5’, Kwak Sun-young is truly showing her range. Fans are eagerly anticipating what she will do next!
