Hunter with a Scalpel

The shocking premise: a National Forensic Service medical examiner hunting her own serial killer father. The new drama, 

A Well-Made Thriller Recognized by the World First

Even before its domestic release, 

Prior to this, it was also introduced at the Hong Kong Filmart, knocking on the door of the global market. The English-language posters we often see were created as part of these global promotions. This robust pre-marketing and positive overseas reception served as a signal that 

The Meeting of Uniquely Talented Actors

Park Ju-hyun: Portraying the Agony of a Genius Medical Examiner

The drama's central character, Seo Yi-na, is played by actress Park Ju-hyun. She is an actress who carved her name into the public consciousness with her intense and unconventional performance in the Netflix series 

Kang Hoon: Shedding His Variety Show Image for a Homicide Detective Role

The other protagonist, Violent Crimes Unit team leader Jung Jung-hyun, is played by actor Kang Hoon. He undertakes a dramatic transformation, showing a tough and sharp side that is 180 degrees different from the innocent and friendly image he has recently shown on variety programs like 

Jung Jung-hyun is an elite who graduated at the top of his class from the police academy and earned a rapid promotion to team leader. However, he is not respected by his team members due to his lack of field experience. He constantly clashes with veteran detective Jeon Chang-jin (played by Ryu Seung-soo), the team's de facto leader, and is often openly ignored by his subordinates. In this challenging environment, he also has to manage the unpredictable actions of the new medical examiner, Seo Yi-na. Kang Hoon provides a strong anchor for the drama by giving a multi-dimensional performance as Jung Jung-hyun, a character who appears cold and rational on the outside but harbors a strong sense of justice and passion within.

Park Yong-woo: A Mysterious Figure on the Line Between Good and Evil

Veteran actor Park Yong-woo plays Yoon Jo-gyun, the key figure who amplifies the drama's mystery. On the surface, he is a normal, friendly neighborhood laundry owner, but he hides a dark and secretive side. While his true identity isn't clear in the early episodes, as the story progresses, he is strongly hinted to be Seo Yi-na's father and the serial killer, "the scalpel hunter," sending chills down the spines of viewers. Park Yong-woo radiates an overwhelming presence, perfectly expressing the terrifying madness hidden behind a gentle smile with just his eyes and facial expressions.

The Weight of the Original Novel and a Masterful Adaptation

This drama is based on the novel of the same name by author Choi Yi-do. The source novel itself is a classic thriller completely devoid of humor, relentlessly digging into the dark abyss of the human psyche and the tragedy of crime. The drama faithfully inherits this heavy tone and manner from the original. The low, heavy, and bleak atmosphere that dominates the screen draws viewers into the heart of the case, creating breathtaking suspense.

A particularly noteworthy point is that a team of four writers collaborated on the screenplay. This appears to be a deliberate effort to more effectively translate the original's vast narrative, complex character relationships, and detailed psychological descriptions to the screen. Thanks to this, despite its relatively long 16-episode run, the drama maintains viewer immersion with its tight plotting and unpredictable developments in every episode. In fact, 

The tragic destiny of a daughter who must hunt her own killer father—we must follow this dark and profound narrative to the very end to see what awaits at the conclusion of her search for the truth.