The mid-form drama Hunter with a Scalpel is making noise even before its release. It’s a dark crime thriller with a psychological twist. The show premieres on June 16 through U+tv, U+mobiletv, and Disney+.
This new series follows a forensic doctor, Seo Se-hyun, who uncovers a shocking truth. During a routine autopsy, she finds signs of a familiar method used in a past murder case. What’s more disturbing? That method matches the exact style of her own father, an infamous serial killer thought to be dead for 20 years.
As the story unfolds, Se-hyun struggles to erase the traces before police officer Jeong Hyeon catches on. The tension rises as she races to hide her past while the investigation closes in. It’s not just about solving crimes. It’s about confronting personal trauma that never truly went away.
This year has seen a wave of crime dramas that mix trauma with tense storytelling. Hunter with a Scalpel taps into that trend but sets itself apart with a female lead who isn’t a detective or victim—but someone in between. The series leans into the emotional cost of staying silent when your past haunts your profession. It feels personal in a way many thrillers don’t.
This series is directed by Lee Jeong-hoon-II. The writing team includes Hong Yeon-yi, Jin Se-hyuk, Jo Han-young, and Park Hyun-shin. The cast features Park Ju-hyun as Seo Se-hyun, with Park Yong-woo, Kang Hoon, Ryu Seung-soo, Choi Kwang-je, and Kim Min-sang in key roles.
Hunter with a Scalpel: Behind the Drama
At the recent press conference held in Seoul, the cast opened up about their roles. Kang Hoon, who plays the warm-hearted police officer Jeong Hyeon, said he pushed himself hard for this part. He gained 5 to 6 kg and trained physically for all the action scenes. He also studied with real police officers to better understand the mindset of his character.
In past dramas, Kang Hoon played softer roles. This time, he wanted to show something new. He shared that this project gave him a chance to prove he’s more than just a gentle love interest. “There are so many roles I want to try. I’m happy I finally took a different path,” he said.
Park Ju-hyun also shared her thoughts. Her character, Seo Se-hyun, is emotionally complex. She doesn’t wear her feelings on her sleeve. Park Ju-hyun said playing someone like that was both hard and exciting. She wanted to show Se-hyun’s inner conflict without making it obvious. “He’s not a straightforward character,” she said, “but I worked hard to express that in a natural way.”
She was drawn to the script right away. What stood out to her was how raw it felt. “It wasn’t sugarcoated,” she said. “It didn’t try to make the genre pretty & just told the story honestly, and that felt refreshing.” The drama is not just about crime or mystery. It digs deep into what happens when personal history mixes with professional duty. It’s a character-driven show with thriller elements that feel grounded.
Who Will Steal the Spotlight?
Early interest is building around Park Ju-hyun’s role. Her past work in Mouse and Extracurricular showed she could handle dark, layered characters. Now, she gets a role that demands subtlety, intensity, and restraint—all at once. Fans also anticipate Kang Hoon’s transformation from a soft-spoken love interest to a driven officer in a mental cat-and-mouse game.
Crime Thriller with Emotional Weight
The plot might sound intense, but it’s not flashy for no reason. The story is built on characters, their choices, and what those choices mean. Seo Se-hyun’s life gets turned upside down not just by the crime, but by the memories that come back with it.
At the center of the story is a difficult relationship. Seo Se-hyun is connected to a killer by blood. That connection shapes how she sees herself and how she handles the case. But Jeong Hyeon, the police officer, brings in a contrast. He believes people are good at their core. That clash of beliefs adds another layer to the drama.
The show was filmed from November 2024 to March 2025. That means the post-production team had enough time to polish everything. From what’s been shared so far, it looks like a well-crafted show. ‘Hunter with a Scalpel’ doesn’t try to be shocking for attention. It stays grounded. That’s what sets it apart from other crime dramas.
Episode Schedule of Hunter with a Scalpel
- Streaming on: Disney Plus, U+ Mobile TV (South Korea)
- Airing day: Mondays
- Start date: June 16, 2025
- Number of episodes: 16
- Runtime: 30 minutes per episode
- Rating: 18+ (for violence and profanity)
Episode Release Schedule
- Episode 1 – Monday, June 16, 2025
- Episode 2 – Monday, June 16, 2025
- Episode 3 – Monday, June 16, 2025
- Episode 4 – Monday, June 16, 2025
- Episode 5 – Monday, June 23, 2025
- Episode 6 – Monday, June 23, 2025
- Episode 7 – Monday, June 23, 2025
- Episode 8 – Monday, June 23, 2025
- Episode 9 – Monday, June 30, 2025
- Episode 10 – Monday, June 30, 2025
- Episode 11 – Monday, June 30, 2025
- Episode 12 – Monday, June 30, 2025
- Episode 13 – Monday, July 7, 2025
- Episode 14 – Monday, July 7, 2025
- Episode 15 – Monday, July 7, 2025
- Episode 16 – Monday, July 7, 2025
Also Read: 8 New K-Dramas in June 2025 You Should Not Miss
Kang Hoon fans will likely enjoy seeing him in a more serious, action-heavy role. Park Ju-hyun’s fans will also see a different side of her. Her performance already looks promising from the trailers and behind-the-scenes clips.
For anyone who enjoys psychological crime thrillers with family drama, this one seems worth a look. It mixes real emotion with mystery, without losing the human side of the story. To wrap it up, Hunter with a Scalpel looks like a strong addition to this year’s thriller lineup. The story is dark but believable.
The cast seems fully committed. And the show promises more than just plot twists—it offers a deep dive into human nature, memory, and guilt. Bookmark this post — we’ll update it weekly with quick recaps, standout performances, and new clues.
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
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