ENA channel announced that it will air episodes 1-4 of 'Scarecrow' consecutively on May 1st and 3rd. This programming strategy reflects the growing demand for binge-watching as the drama gains popularity and ratings soar.
In fact, 'Scarecrow' has shown a clear upward trend in ratings, starting at 2.9% for episode 1 and climbing to 4.1% for episode 2, 5.0% for episode 3, and 5.2% for episode 4, according to Nielsen Korea. Notably, episode 4, which aired on April 28th, achieved a peak rating of 6.2% in the Seoul metropolitan area, setting a new record for the show. Additionally, from episode 2 onwards, 'Scarecrow' has maintained its position as the top Monday-Tuesday drama and the number one show across all channels during its time slot. The average ratings for episodes 1-4 have surpassed those of ENA's previous hit, 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo,' drawing even more attention.
The drama's buzz has also skyrocketed. 'Scarecrow' topped the Good Data TV-OTT search response rankings for the fourth week of April, climbing an impressive 12 spots. The drama's search issue keywords feature five cast members in the top 10, with Song Geon-hee at number one, followed by Park Hae-soo, Lee Hee-jun, Kwak Sun-young, and Seo Ji-hye.
At the heart of this upward trend are the intense storyline, solid direction, and the actors' performances. Episode 3 featured a shocking ending with the death of the sixth victim, Kim Min-ji (played by Kim Hwan-hee), heightening the drama's intensity. Episode 4 saw Kang Tae-joo (played by Park Hae-soo) joining forces with his former adversary Cha Si-young (played by Lee Hee-jun) to begin a joint investigation, marking a turning point in the story.
The plot thickens with the emergence of a handkerchief as a clue, the rise of Lee Ki-beom (played by Song Geon-hee) as a prime suspect, and the attack on Kang Tae-joo's sister, Kang Sun-young (played by Seo Ji-hye), adding layers of suspense. Additionally, the revelation of Kang Tae-joo and Cha Si-young's past deepens the character dynamics.
The upcoming consecutive airing offers viewers a chance to catch up on the storyline and character relationships before the pivotal episode 5, where the hunt for the culprit intensifies. Viewers can immerse themselves in Kang Tae-joo's transformation and awakening, as well as the unfolding mystery, through episodes 1-4.
'Scarecrow' airs every Monday and Tuesday at 10 PM.
Reporter: Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia yoon@tenasia.co.kr