LG Uplus STUDIO X+U's new mid-form drama "The Hunter with the Scalpel" has released an exclusive written interview with director Lee Jung-hoon.

Set to premiere on June 16, "The Hunter with the Scalpel" (written by Jo Han-young, Park Hyun-shin, Hong Yeon-i, and Jin Se-hyuk, directed by Lee Jung-hoon) is a crime thriller where forensic surgeon Se-hyun, who uncovers the familiar killing methods of his father, a serial killer known as 'The Tailor', strives to find him before the police can to avoid becoming his prey. With a shocking story and complex relationships among characters, it is anticipated to be a well-made thriller that delivers extreme genre pleasure, increasing the expectations of potential viewers day by day.

Amid this, director Lee Jung-hoon, in a written interview, generously revealed behind-the-scenes stories that captured attention. First, he stated without hesitation that his reason for directing "The Hunter with the Scalpel" was that "it was the most immersive script I've ever read." He further noted, "It was very interesting not just because of the confrontation between a psychopath and a sociopath, but the relationship of a father and daughter itself was fascinating," explaining that "the fear presented when attaching the keyword of fear to the closest existence felt intensely strong," highlighting the core appeal of the work.

"The Hunter with the Scalpel" has garnered attention in the global content market, having been officially invited to the Rendezvous section of the Cannes International Series Festival (hereinafter referred to as 'Cannes Series') before its domestic release. Director Lee Jung-hoon shared his experience at the Cannes Series, stating, "It was truly an honorable place," adding, "The sight of foreign audiences filled the auditorium during the screening remains vivid in my memory." He identified that the reason why "The Hunter with the Scalpel" could resonate internationally was because it well-expressed the strengths unique to K-thrillers. He explained, "Korean thrillers are characterized by delving deeper into the emotional lines of characters," emphasizing, "Ultimately, it makes the audience immerse themselves in 'people' and 'characters' rather than 'events', and I wanted to express this unique charm of K-thrillers through 'The Hunter with the Scalpel.'"

Director Lee Jung-hoon also expressed his unwavering affection for the three main actors driving the performance: Park Joo-hyun, Park Yong-woo, and Kang Hoon. First, regarding Park Joo-hyun, who plays the genius forensic surgeon Seo Se-hyun, he stated, "Se-hyun's emotional lines are the most crucial aspect of the drama, so I communicated with actress Park Joo-hyun, discussing every detail, and that process was genuinely enjoyable and meaningful." He shared his confidence in casting Park Yong-woo as the serial killer Yoon Jo-kyun, saying, "The cold smile glimpsed briefly in the film 'Decision to Leave' left a strong impression," adding, "He seems to fit perfectly into Jo-kyun's character, who needs to show a chilling expression at moments while being dandy and gentle on the surface." Furthermore, he noted that Kang Hoon, who plays the righteous police officer Jung Jeong-hyeon, "had a warm gaze in the romance genre that matched perfectly with the character Jeong-hyeon while also possessing a sharp aura that was well-highlighted in the investigative scenes."

He also revealed a special episode in terms of the chemistry with the actors on set. Director Lee Jung-hoon mentioned, "In the scene where Jeong-hyeon meets Se-hyun for the first time, there’s a moment where Jeong-hyeon misunderstands Se-hyun's gesture asking for a document and tries to shake hands, creating an awkward atmosphere; that scene was an ad-lib suggested by actor Kang Hoon," and stated, "It's a scene that briefly showcases Jeong-hyeon's personality, which values emotional bonding, making it deeply memorable," further fueling curiosity about the actors' immersive performances of their characters.

Director Lee Jung-hoon's efforts to create the distinctive atmosphere of "The Hunter with the Scalpel" can also be seen in his directorial techniques. Regarding his directorial intent to highlight the genre's thriller characteristics, he noted, "I hoped that the visuals would convey the fear and psychological pressures felt by Se-hyun to the viewers, even if he wants to escape from Jo-kyun, they cannot, which makes the viewer feel sticky moments." To this end, he added, "There are many visual elements like the representation of blood, mud, and fogged windows that attempt to stimulate not just the sight but even the sense of touch and hearing," forecasting the birth of a well-made thriller that stimulates all five senses. He explained that “many scenes have characters looking directly at the camera because I wanted viewers to directly embrace the character's emotions, especially the sense of fear.” Furthermore, he emphasized, “The characters surrounding Se-hyun intentionally keep their distance from him, but Jo-kyun uniquely invades that distance. If you pay attention to the emotional flow conveyed through the distances between characters, you will enjoy the piece even more fully.”

Finally, director Lee Jung-hoon remarked, "'The Hunter with the Scalpel' depicts a fierce psychological battle within the relationship of a father and a daughter. I would appreciate it if viewers could also experience the tension and emotional fluctuations that Se-hyun feels from his perspective," intensely stimulating anticipation for the upcoming main episode set to premiere on June 16.

"The Hunter with the Scalpel" is scheduled to be released on June 16 on U+tv, U+mobiletv, and Disney+.

[Photo] Provided by STUDIO X+U.

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