Actress Park Ju-hyun has consistently left a strong impression in genre series. From Extracurricular to A Perfect Family and Drive, she has always stood out with her undeniable presence.

Now in her 30s, she unveils a more mature side. Through the drama Scalpel-Wielding Hunter (written by Jo Han-young et al., directed by Lee Jung-hoon), she takes on her most intense role yet.

With her steady, low-toned voice, profound gaze, and finely tuned emotional expression, Park makes full use of her strengths. She transforms into a sociopathic forensic pathologist who engages in a tense psychological war with her serial killer father.

(This review contains spoilers.)

◆ "There Was a Reason for the Awkwardness"

Park Ju-hyun plays Seo Se-hyun, a genius forensic pathologist. With just one autopsy, she can piece together an entire murder. Her observational skills surpass even those of detectives, allowing her to identify culprits almost instantly.

On the surface, Se-hyun appears ordinary. But something feels off. Her expressions, speech, and gaze lack realism. The result of childhood trauma, she has become a sociopath unable to feel emotion.

In the early episodes, Park intentionally portrays Se-hyun's awkwardness — the social dissonance of a sociopath trying to fit in. Her flat tone and impassive face cause friction with those around her.

At first, this performance divided viewers. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the awkwardness was a deliberate choice. It proves to be a masterfully calculated performance.

A key moment: while performing an autopsy, Se-hyun finds red yarn in the corpse — a signature of her supposedly deceased father. Park's eyes tremble. Her expression, overtaken by terror, shows a character whose rationality is beginning to unravel.

◆ "The Emotions Explode from Episode 5"

The drama hits its stride in Episode 5 — and so does Park's performance. She shifts rapidly between panic, disgust, and murderous intent, becoming the driving force behind the show.

In the final scene of Episode 5, Se-hyun discovers a body in an alley. Her phone rings. On the other end: the voice of her father, who she thought was dead. Her legs give out.

Park portrays sheer, breathless terror. In the next beat, she delivers the vulnerability of someone paralyzed by trauma. Then, just as quickly, she flips — her expression going icy cold, as if her blood had frozen.

From that moment on, Se-hyun is determined to take down her father before the police do. She even goes as far as tampering with evidence and manipulating trust. It's a twisted, ironic relationship — a daughter trying to outmaneuver the killer father she once loved.

Park continues to lean into her strengths: piercing gazes, commanding presence, and emotional complexity. She vividly expresses both moral conviction and unspoken rage.

◆ "The Psychopath Father Sends Chills"

Cho Kyun (played by Park Yong-woo) constantly gaslights Se-hyun. He wants to keep her under his control forever, turning her into a tool for his murders. A chilling power dynamic unfolds between a manipulative father and his defiant daughter.

Cho Kyun is the perfect foil to Se-hyun. Outwardly, he's kind and likable — the kind of man neighborhood ladies would want to set up on dates. But he's a master manipulator, a textbook psychopath.

His true nature surfaces as early as Episode 2. The moment he hears Se-hyun's name, his eyes change. A slow, sinister smile creeps across his face. In one scene, his obsession with his daughter is made terrifyingly clear.

When he kills, his eyes blaze with cruelty. Yet when confronted by detectives, he instantly switches to a harmless smile. Park Yong-woo delivers this duality with chilling subtlety, making the character all the more disturbing.

While Park Ju-hyun anchors the drama, Park Yong-woo adds fuel to the fire. His spine-tingling portrayal raises the tension — and by extension, makes Park's own performance shine even brighter.

◆ "That 30 Minutes Is a Rush"

Scalpel-Wielding Hunter runs for just 30 minutes per episode — about 20 minutes shorter than most dramas. This makes for a brisk, tightly packed narrative that wastes no time.

The structure, which frequently jumps between past and present, provides depth to the characters' stories. The childhood trauma that turned Se-hyun into a sociopath evokes empathy rather than fear.

Unlike many crime thrillers, this one reveals the killer early on. Instead of a whodunit, the show focuses on the haunting past, inviting viewers to uncover the deeper secrets.

Scalpel-Wielding Hunter topped Korea's Disney+ Top 10 chart just one day after release. It continues to remain in the top ranks. As the story moves into its second half, the stakes only get higher.

Detective Jung Jung-hyun (played by Kang Hoon) begins to doubt Se-hyun. Will she be able to bring justice to her father? Scalpel-Wielding Hunter releases new episodes every Monday through Thursday at midnight KST.