영화 '하이파이브' 개봉일, 줄거리, 등장인물, 유아인, 관람포인트 총정리 (강형철 감독 신작)

The Hunter with a Scalpel: A genius forensic pathologist daughter vs. her psychopathic serial killer father. Everything you need to know about this brutal chase!

In the first half of 2025, a highly anticipated work is set to electrify the Korean drama market: LG U+ STUDIO X+U's original drama, The Hunter with a Scalpel. This series tells the story of a genius forensic pathologist who confronts the shocking truth that her father, whom she believed to be dead, is the infamous serial killer known as 'The Tailor'. Even before its release, the show has been generating buzz for its unpredictable psychological warfare and overwhelming suspense.

Notably, its invitation to the prestigious Cannes International Series Festival in France serves as a testament to its quality and global competitiveness, marking it as a next-generation "K-thriller" expected to break new ground.

Will the daughter become the hunter, or will she become the hunted? Let's dive deep into everything about The Hunter with a Scalpel.

1. Drama Overview & Key Information: A Nightmare Reawakened After 20 Years

The Hunter with a Scalpel is a hardcore crime psychological thriller and mid-form drama set against the backdrop of forensic medicine. The series consists of 16 episodes and is scheduled for release on June 16, 2025, on U+tv, U+ mobile tv, and Disney+.

Directed by Lee Jeong-hoon and co-written by Jo Han-young, Park Hyun-shin, Hong Yeon-yi, and Jin Se-hyeok, the drama is based on the novel of the same name by author Choi I-do. Produced by LG U+ STUDIO X+U and Soul Creative, it is expected to continue the legacy of acclaimed K-mid-form dramas.

The core of the plot begins with a shocking twist. The protagonist, Seo Se-hyeon, is a brilliant forensic pathologist. One day, on the autopsy table, she recognizes the familiar methods of her father, Yun Jo-gyun, whom she believed had died 20 years ago.

In truth, her father was the notorious serial killer 'The Tailor', who once terrorized the nation. Se-hyeon finds herself in a desperate situation where she must find her father before the police do to hide a secret deeply entangled with her past: as a child, she witnessed her father's crimes and even helped dispose of the bodies. The unpredictable psychological battle where the lines between daughter and father, hunter and hunted, are constantly shifting forms the crux of the drama.

2. A-List Cast and Their Compelling Characters

Another major draw for The Hunter with a Scalpel is undoubtedly the powerful acting ensemble, featuring actors who command the screen.

Seo Se-hyeon (played by Park Ju-hyun):

• Character: A genius forensic pathologist hunting her serial killer father, Se-hyeon is a complex individual standing on the border between good and evil. She is described as having sociopathic tendencies, willing to do whatever it takes for her own success and unable to empathize with others' emotions. As she gets closer to the truth about her father, she experiences profound internal conflict.
• Actress: Park Ju-hyun, who left a strong impression with her role in Netflix's Extracurricular, is expected to portray the character's complex emotional range with depth. She was also spotlighted at the Cannes Series Festival as a "next-generation global star."

Yun Jo-gyun (played by Park Yong-woo):

• Character: The infamous psychopathic serial killer 'The Tailor' who committed a series of murders 20 years ago and is Seo Se-hyeon's biological father. He is depicted as a cruel figure obsessed with human anatomy and shows an abnormal, distorted obsession with his daughter. He currently lives in disguise as the owner of a small restaurant next to a laundromat.
• Actor: Park Yong-woo, known for his unique and powerful performances in films like Decision to Leave and the drama Tracer, is set to deliver an all-time great villainous performance. The director noted that Park Yong-woo's ability to switch from a dandy appearance to a chilling expression in an instant was a perfect fit for the character.

Jung Jung-hyun (played by Kang Hoon):

• Character: A humanist detective and the head of the Violent Crimes Unit who believes in the inherent goodness of people. As he becomes entangled with Seo Se-hyeon, he gets closer to the truth of the case but also grows suspicious of the secrets she is hiding, undergoing a complex psychological transformation.
• Actor: Kang Hoon, who recently rose to stardom with roles in dramas like To My Harry, is set to portray the character's multi-layered personality with his detailed acting.

Other Cast Members: Kim Sun-hwa plays Yun Jo-gyun's neighbor and the owner of the 'Matna' restaurant, a role that highlights the serial killer's everyday camouflage. Ryu Seung-soo, Choi Kwang-je, and Bin Chan-wook also contribute to the drama's immersive quality. Kim Min-sang plays Jung Jung-hyun's superior, Choi Jong-su, adding to the tension by creating internal conflict.

The relationship between these three lead actors transcends a simple good-versus-evil dynamic. The setup of a psychopath father, a sociopathic daughter, and the righteous detective chasing them both creates intense suspense, maximizing the "fear felt from those closest to you."

3. The Unique Charm of "The Hunter with a Scalpel": The Harmony of Forensics and Psychology

The Hunter with a Scalpel goes beyond a simple crime procedural, using various elements to draw viewers in.

• Use of Forensic Medicine: Forensics is not just a key tool for solving the case but is also deeply connected to protagonist Seo Se-hyeon's identity. As a brilliant forensic pathologist, she scientifically analyzes the traces left by her father's crimes to uncover the truth. The unique setup of tracking a criminal through autopsies emphasizes scientific detail and realism, heightening the drama's immersion. The production team reportedly consulted with medical experts to meticulously create the autopsy room set and ensure authenticity in the performances.
• Psychological Tension and Unpredictable Twists: The drama continuously maintains a high level of psychological tension. The shocking revelation that Se-hyeon's father is 'The Tailor' is just the starting point. As she deciphers her father's methods and messages, family secrets and past events are constantly unveiled, leading to unexpected developments. The father-daughter relationship between Se-hyeon and Yun Jo-gyun is more than just confrontational; it is interwoven with complex family emotions and Yun Jo-gyun's twisted affection, promising to deepen the story's immersive power.
• A Deep Human Drama and Message: The Hunter with a Scalpel transcends the crime genre to explore the complexity of family relationships, the darkness within the human psyche, and the line between truth and lies. It also emphasizes the importance of seeking scientific truth through forensics and delivers a message about the courage to confront and overcome past wounds and the relentless pursuit of justice. The drama is expected to make viewers contemplate human nature, moral choices, and the multi-layered meaning of family love. It poses the fundamental question, "Does absolute good and evil exist?" and is expected to present an anti-heroine's narrative by suggesting Se-hyeon's actions do not stem from a pure sense of justice.

4. Filming Locations & Behind-the-Scenes

Filming for The Hunter with a Scalpel took place from November 2024 to May 2025, utilizing various locations and sets across South Korea to enhance the drama's realism and tension.

Major Filming Locations:

• Incheon: The alley next to Byeolmi Restaurant at Hwasu-dong 7-360, Dong-gu, Incheon, is known to be a real location where important scenes were filmed, tying into the setting where Yun Jo-gyun operates his restaurant in disguise.
• National Forensic Service Set: Seo Se-hyeon's autopsy scenes were filmed in a meticulously crafted autopsy room set in a Seoul studio. Details were enhanced with advice from medical experts to recreate a realistic environment and maximize visual tension.
• Urban Alleys and Abandoned Factories: Yun Jo-gyun's murder scenes and chase sequences were filmed in old alleys and abandoned factory areas in Seoul to emphasize a mysterious atmosphere.
• Police Station and Residential Areas: Scenes at the Yongcheon Police Station, where Jung Jung-hyun works, used the exterior of a real police station in Gyeonggi Province combined with a studio set. Scenes at the 'Matna' restaurant, owned by Yun Jo-gyun's neighbor (Kim Sun-hwa), were filmed in a small commercial area in Gyeonggi Province.
• Forests and Outlying Areas: Some chase and murder scenes were filmed in the forests and remote areas of Chuncheon or Hongcheon in Gangwon Province to enhance the drama's dark mood.
• Busan Metropolitan City: Some flashback scenes and the backdrop of Seo Se-hyeon's childhood were filmed near Busan's port and in old residential areas to visually contrast the past and present.

Behind the Scenes:

• Director Lee Jeong-hoon stated, "Filming locations were carefully chosen to emphasize the drama's dark tone and the characters' psychology," adding that "the contrast between the autopsy room and the abandoned factory maximizes the show's tension."
• Actress Park Ju-hyun is said to have studied the actual autopsy process and collaborated with experts to immerse herself in her role for the autopsy scenes.
• Actor Park Yong-woo reportedly spent time in isolated spaces during filming to fully immerse himself in his psychopathic character.

Through such detailed production environments and the dedicated efforts of the cast and crew, The Hunter with a Scalpel is poised to deliver a highly immersive and well-made thriller.

5. Global Spotlight and High Anticipation: Opening a New Chapter for K-Thrillers

Even before its premiere, The Hunter with a Scalpel has garnered international attention and acclaim.

• Invitation to Cannes International Series Festival (CanneSeries): In April 2025, the drama was officially invited to the non-competitive Rendez-vous section of the 8th Cannes International Series Festival, drawing global attention. The screening there was met with a standing ovation, and international media and audiences praised it as "a work that perfectly blends genre tension with emotional depth" and noted its "acting that quietly delves into the human psyche." Director Lee Jeong-hoon explained, "K-thrillers have a unique characteristic of delving deep into the characters' emotional lines, allowing the audience to become immersed in the 'people' and 'characters' rather than just the case," which he believes appealed to international viewers.
• Attention at Hong Kong FILMART: The drama's potential for success was also recognized at Hong Kong FILMART, the largest content market in the Asia-Pacific region, further raising expectations in the global market.
• Simultaneous Global OTT Release: The show is scheduled for a simultaneous release on domestic platforms U+tv and U+ mobile tv, as well as the global OTT platform Disney+. The positive reception at Cannes is a promising sign for its global success.

Recently, a three-person poster and individual character posters featuring Park Ju-hyun, Park Yong-woo, and Kang Hoon were released, creating more buzz. Chilling taglines like, "Dad's killing has started again," and "A blood tie is something very special," have further amplified the show's tension. Preview content broadcast on major television channels is also building viewer anticipation ahead of the release.

6. Conclusion: The Must-Watch K-Thriller of 2025!

The Hunter with a Scalpel is emerging as the most anticipated drama of the first half of 2025, thanks to its original and shocking premise of a daughter hunting her serial killer father, the powerful performances of its talented cast including Park Ju-hyun, Park Yong-woo, and Kang Hoon, and Director Lee Jeong-hoon's delicate direction specializing in psychological portrayal. Based on a solid source novel and already proven on the international stage with its invitation to CanneSeries, the drama is set for success.

This work shows ample potential to be more than a simple crime thriller, delving deep into the darkest corners of the human psyche and moral dilemmas. In particular, the radical relationship between a psychopath father and a sociopathic daughter subverts the conventions of the thriller genre while maximizing the psychological horror of the duplicity of family and the violence that can occur within it.

The Hunter with a Scalpel is expected to offer viewers breathtaking tension and a powerful emotional impact, opening a new horizon for the K-thriller genre. As a work that poses heavy questions about human nature and relationships beyond simple entertainment, it has a high chance of becoming a thought-provoking masterpiece that will be talked about long after it airs. Look forward to the intense experience this brutal yet fascinating chase will deliver on June 16th!

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