#lee heejun

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Park Haesoo The Scarecrow/Heosuabi Interview Excerpts:

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Lee Hee-jun on Cha Si-young’s complex feelings towards Tae-joo:

The feelings Cha Si-young harbored toward Kang Tae-joo were not merely simple hostility, either. He was a childhood friend he liked, a colleague he wanted to work with, and at the same time, someone he had to push away for his own survival. Lee Hee-jun interpreted that behind Cha Si-young's betrayal and violence lay a tangled mix of a desire for recognition and survival instincts.

"I think Si-young really liked Tae-joo when they were young. Even now, he likely wanted to work with him, be with him, and apologize. However, because his need for recognition and his own desires were so overwhelming, he made the bold choice to abandon him for the sake of survival. He might have made that choice without even realizing it. In the end, even when his nephew Cha Young-beom, whom he raised like a son, says he will forgive him if he just admits his past mistakes, he refuses to acknowledge them. As a result, he ends up losing the person he loves most and becoming alone."

Oh.

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LEE HEE-JUN INTERVIEW: THE SCARECROW/HEOSUABI [7]

[Star News | Reporter Kim Nara]

In particular, regarding the role of Cha Si-young, Lee Hee-jun said, "I wonder if I will ever meet such a charming character again. I am truly grateful to Director Park Joon-woo. Cha Si-young was not a consistent character; according to the director, during the early development stages of 'Scarecrow,' Kang Tae-joo and Cha Si-young were originally one character. They decided to split him into two, and the result was Cha Si-young, who stands on the opposite side of Kang Tae-joo. At first, I also found it a bit difficult to accept Cha Si-young's inconsistency, but I felt at ease once I realized that catching the culprit wasn't the most important thing for him. Because the psychology that made him inevitably so bad was deeply ingrained through his upbringing, it was really exciting and fun to act. Whether big or small, doesn't everyone have a lack of affection and a need for recognition? Since we actually meet many people like that in our lives, I thought that Cha Si-young could indeed be like that. It is just that for Cha Si-young, that was amplified and he became a monster because he couldn't be controlled according to his own will. It felt like a mirror of reality, so I could empathize with him."

He portrayed Cha Si-young with such intensity that he even received worried reactions. Lee Hee-jun shared an anecdote, saying, "A middle-aged man working at the gym came up to me and asked, 'You look so mean, are you okay?' At that moment, I also felt like I wanted to play a good role and be loved."

His wife, model and broadcaster Lee Hye-jeong, was also a devoted fan who was completely hooked on 'Scarecrow' and watched every episode live. The couple married in 2016 and welcomed a son in 2019.

When asked about Lee Hye-jung's reaction, Lee Hee-jun drew laughter by mentioning a nonsensical spoiler, saying, "My wife also found it very entertaining and watched 'Scarecrow' live.

On the day she watched episode 4, she suddenly called and asked, 'Oppa, do you die?' That is how much she enjoyed watching it. My answer was, 'Yeah, I die.'"

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LEE HEE-JUN INTERVIEW: THE SCARECROW/HEOSUABI [6]

[Star News | Reporter Kim Nara]

Lee Hee-jun emphasized the quality of the work in a recent interview with Star News, stating, "It might sound cliché, but I remember being very surprised when I read the script for 'Scarecrow.' Usually, actors decide to appear in a series only after the first four episodes have been released, but this was excellent."

He continued, "During the meeting, I was shocked just hearing from Director Park Joon-woo how the story would unfold after Part 4. It exceeded my expectations, which made me even more excited. He said he wanted to tell a story not just about the criminal, but about people who were wrongly framed, and those who suffered together in one village and endured 30 years together. At that moment, I thought to myself, 'Director Lee is a truly wonderful person.""

Lee Hee-jun then addressed his relationship with the character Kang Sun-young (played by Seo Ji-hye), which had surprised viewers. Initially, Kang Sun-young was introduced as Kang Tae-joo's younger sister and the lover of Lee Ki-beom (played by Song Geon-hee). However, in episode 10, it was revealed that Kang Sun-young was a half-sibling to Cha Si-young, delivering a shock. It turned out that Cha Si-young's father, Cha Mu-jin (played by Yoo Seung-mok), was Kang Sun-young's biological father. A tangled "secret of birth" was hidden, revealing that Kang Tae-joo and Kang Sun-young had different fathers but shared only the same mother.

This setup created a subtle atmosphere between Cha Si-young and Kang Sun-young in the early episodes, leaving viewers confused. When asked about this, Lee Hee-jun shared a surprising anecdote, saying, "I also found out that Sun-young was Si-young's half-sister while filming episode 9. The director really didn't say anything until then."

In particular, Lee Hee-jun drew laughter by confessing, "I really hadn't heard anything about Sun-young, so I wondered, 'Is this a melodrama?' Because the script kept having lines like 'caring for Sun-young.' So I thought maybe it was heading towards a melodrama." Lee Hee-jun then added credibility to the 'secret of birth' plot by saying, "I was surprised at first too, but since it was an era where such half-sibling relationships were common, I came to accept it as quite plausible."

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LEE HEE-JUN INTERVIEW: THE SCARECROW/HEOSUABI [5]

[Edaily Starin Reporter: Kim Ga-young]

Actor Lee Hee-jun shared his wife Lee Hye-jung's reaction to watching the drama 'Scarecrow'. In a recent interview, Lee Hee-jun brought laughter by saying, "My wife also really enjoyed the drama and cheered me on," and added, "She asked if I was going to die, so I lied and said I was."

Regarding his son's reaction, he drew laughter by saying, "My son still doesn't know what I do. He has hardly seen what I do. Because it is rated 19+." He added, "When I tell my wife I'm going to go look at the script, my son asks, 'Why do you keep pooping, Dad?' It was difficult to explain the script, so I just let it be." He also expressed his affection for his son by saying, "It is a work that my son can watch," regarding his decision to appear in a musical in the second half of the year.

"Scarecrow," starring Lee Hee-jun, is a crime investigation thriller that unfolds as a detective investigating the true culprit of a serial murder case forms an unexpected partnership with the very man he despised. In this drama, Lee Hee-jun played the role of Cha Si-young, a prosecutor equipped with cool-headed judgment and political acumen who led the investigation into the Kangseong serial murder case. He is a character who has been entangled with Tae-ju since childhood and relentlessly torments him. "Scarecrow" started with a viewership rating of 2.9% (Nielsen Korea/nationwide household basis) and showed an upward trend with every episode. This achievement was the result of a suspenseful plot, direction, and excellent performances by the actors.

In particular, the acting chemistry between Lee Hee-jun and Park Hae-soo shone in this work. The two created the play by reading the script countless times, practicing repeatedly, and conversing. Their relationship began during their days as theater actors, and they have worked together on no fewer than three projects. Lee Hee-jun brought laughter by saying, "The CEO was worried. He thought that having worked together three times might have a negative impact. So I told him, 'It doesn't matter as long as you act well.' We even said that if the reaction to 'Scarecrow' wasn't good, we should work on separate projects in the future, but since things turned out this way, it looks like we'll have to do it a few more times."

Recalling Park Hae-soo, Lee Hee-jun revealed, "I recently had a conversation with Park Hae-soo. We talked about how great it was to work on 'Scarecrow' together. We said we should do 10 more projects together and that it would be nice to grow old together."

Lee Hee-jun continued, "I have worked with Park Hae-soo since our days in theater, so we were able to practice without any hesitation. It was nice that we weren't at a level where we worried about things like, 'I want to do better than you,' or 'What if I do worse than you?' I like Park Hae-soo as a person, and I think that comes through in the drama."

Their practice was so intense that they even practiced scenes from their childhood that they weren't actually acting in. He drew laughter by saying, "We didn't have time to meet the child actors separately, so we practiced the scenes from their very early childhood among ourselves. We even practiced scenes that weren't actually being filmed by us. I thought there would be a difference between trying something out and not trying it out, so we tried acting those scenes out as well, but the child actors did much better."

Lee Hee-jun also revealed a habit he developed while filming 'Scarecrow'. He drew laughter by saying, "As soon as they yelled 'Cut,' I would say, 'Let's shoot it one more time.' Director Park Jun-woo is famous for shooting very efficiently, snapping away quickly. Since we had already shot a full shot, I thought they were going to shoot a close-up, but they told me they were finished. I saw them putting the camera away, so I asked them to let me do it one more time, and that's how I ended up shooting it."

He continued, "In episode 10, there is a scene where I talk with actor Park Hae-soo about the results of a new radioactive isotope. It was about two or three pages of A4 paper, but we had to film it all within an hour. However, we practiced with Park Hae-soo whenever we had a spare moment and managed to do it in a single take, and I felt a great sense of satisfaction at that moment."

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LEE HEE-JUN INTERVIEW: THE SCARECROW/HEOSUABI [4]

[Seoul Yonhap News: Reporter Jang Jin-ri]

"The director said that he hoped 'Scarecrow' would not be a drama about catching criminals, but a work that makes us reflect on the people who have suffered for 30 years due to serial murder cases." I really wanted to pull off a meaningful drama brilliantly.

Lee Hee-jun reflected on his mindset regarding the project, saying, "Since it is based on a true story and the subject matter is so heavy, we were even more serious. We didn't prepare anything carelessly, and everyone worked hard to ensure that nothing would be detrimental to the work or fall short."

Lee Hee-jun played the role of prosecutor Cha Si-young, who leads the investigation into a serial murder case that occurred in the fictional village of Gangseong. Cha Si-young is a character who tortures innocent people and unhesitatingly hides the bodies of young victims for the sake of his own advancement.

Lee Hee-jun expressed his pity, calling Cha Si-young a monster created by a need for recognition and a lack of affection. He said, "I wanted to evoke a sense of pity, thinking, 'How much trauma must he have suffered in his childhood before his ego was formed to act like that,' and 'If the need for recognition and a lack of affection are excessive, one might end up like that.' He added, 'Although he is a villain, I wonder if I will ever encounter another character with such a meticulously crafted backstory.''

'Scarecrow' was introduced as a story about detective Kang Tae-joo (played by Park Hae-soo) and Cha Si-young, who were a victim and a perpetrator of school violence during their school days, as they cooperate in investigating a serial murder case that occurred in their hometown of Gangseong.

However, the drama broke the common cliché of enemies joining forces to investigate a case, depicting a conclusion where the two characters pursue their own beliefs and can never reconcile.

"Usually, dramas tend to flow in a direction where the two characters join forces. I think it's common to want to see them working hard to accomplish something together. But when I met the director, I realized that wasn't the case. The story of Kang Tae-joo and Cha Si-young meeting, falling apart, and approaching the incident differently was incredibly thrilling. Wouldn't it be closer to reality that the two characters can't simply say, 'Let's get along'?"

One of the highlights of "Scarecrow" was that real-life best friends Park Hae-soo and Lee Hee-jun played Kang Tae-joo and Cha Si-young, "life enemies" whose parents became entangled in an affair.

Although the real culprit Lee Yong-woo was apprehended in 'Scarecrow,' Cha Si-young, who stood trial to uncover the truth, ultimately refused to admit his wrongdoing, leaving a bitter aftertaste instead of a satisfying sense of triumph.

"No one other than Kang Tae-joo accepts the truth that threatens their standing and survival. It seems the bitter ending is actually the direction the director intended for this work. The director had moments of choice while filming, but I respect him for steadfastly pushing forward with his vision."

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LEE HEE-JUN INTERVIEW: THE SCARECROW/HEOSUABI [3]

[OSEN Reporter Kim Na-yeon]

'Scarecrow' is a crime investigation thriller set in Gangseong in 1988, in which a detective investigating the true culprit of a serial murder case forms an unexpected partnership with a man he despised.

Lee Hee-jun, who plays the role of Cha Si-young, a prosecutor at the Gangseong Branch of the Muwon District Prosecutors' Office, had previously mentioned "Matt Damon and Ben Affleck" at a press conference regarding his chemistry with Park Hae-soo, who plays the opposing role of Kang Tae-joo, a detective at the Gangseong Police Station. In response, Lee Hee-jun quipped, "When I made that joke, I didn't know this work would be loved so much."

He said, "Our agency CEO was worried. When we were cast, the director cast us not because we were actors from the same company, but because we each suited our respective roles. Hae-soo and I have worked on several projects together. Among them, there are some that didn't receive much attention or love. The CEO told me, 'If the reaction is bad again this time since the two of us were cast, it would be better if the two of you didn't work together anymore.' He mentioned that it might be our last project because of our image, but I remember us talking back, saying, 'So what? We can keep doing well, right? I like working together. He added, 'The CEO is very happy about it now. Hae-soo and I also exchanged texts recently, and he said, 'I want to grow old working on projects with you,' so I told him, 'Let's do about 10 more.' I think it would be nice to grow old together."

Park Hae-soo and Lee Hee-jun, who are also part of the same agency, have maintained their bond since their theater days and have worked together on various projects including "Legend of the Blue Sea,' 'Chimera,' and 'Bad Luck.' When asked about Park Hae-soo, Lee Hee-jun expressed his affection, saying, "He is a younger brother I love very much. If you watch the 'Hell's Club' video, you can see a bit of Hae-soo's true self. He is really cute and playful. He is a younger brother who makes me laugh constantly. That is why I always invite Hae-soo whenever we get together for drinks. I feel happy and joyful when I am with Hae-soo."

He confessed, "There are times when I can't predict his playful antics, and there are aspects of him that I respect as an actor. If the script is not fully understood or has gaps, Actor Park Hae-soo just charges forward. He is the type of actor who acts first and sees things through. I try to fill in those gaps by discussing them with the director, and I think I lack the boldness to readily throw out a line when there are imperfections. I always learn a lot from watching Hae-soo. I have the thought that I should emulate his strengths and even steal them from him, but it doesn't work out well."

He continued, "The great thing about working with Hae-soo is that since we've been together since our theater days, we can practice whenever we have a spare moment. We don't have to feel self-conscious around each other. If someone says it takes 10 minutes to set up the lighting, we'll say, 'Do you remember that line from Act 9? Let's try that,' and practice. Neither of us has the mindset of, 'What if I'm not as good as you?' or 'I want to be better than you.' We trust each other and wish for the other to do better. I think that played a big role. Because we have a relationship where we can talk about acting without hesitation, the consideration and effort to help each other seem to show in the scenes. It is truly wonderful to act together because I can see that we are trying to help each other perform better. I would love to work with you again."

In particular, when asked about the emotional arc of Cha Si-young, who tries to help Kang Tae-joo while betraying him in the story, Lee Hee-jun explained, "He must be lonely and need a friend. He seems to really like Tae-joo. He truly likes him, but unconsciously, a need for validation or a lack of affection kicks in, causing something more important to emerge. He might even abandon that friend for the sake of that. It seems like he changes in an instant. However, even if he likes that friend, wants to be with them, and wants to become close to them, he can change at any time when the situation changes."

However, contrary to the expectations of viewers who were hoping for a "hate-love partnership investigation," Cha Si-young ends up walking a path diametrically opposed to Kang Tae-joo's due to his irreversible evil deeds. Lee Hee-jun also confessed, "I read the drama up to episode 4 and liked it so much that I met with the director for a meal with the intention of appearing in it. Up until episode 4, it seemed like we grew closer after I took a knife for him and told Tae-joo, 'I thought you were my brother.' I wanted to see the two of them join forces to catch the culprit in style, or even if they couldn't catch the criminal, work hard together until the end. Usually, dramas flow that way, don't they? I thought that was the norm and naturally assumed it would be like that when I met the director, but I was shocked to hear the backstory."

He then shared his honest thoughts, saying, "After hearing the story following Part 4, I felt a thrill because it wasn't following a typical flow. I think the viewers will feel the same way. I wonder if that's what makes it even more interesting. It seems like a more appropriate choice, and it is also reality. I think it is closer to reality that characters with such trauma and upbringing cannot simply say, 'Let's get along well now,' at some point."

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LEE HEEJUN INTERVIEW: THE SCARECROW/HEOSUABI [2]

[Shin Young-eun, Star Today Reporter]

“I honestly had no idea it would go well.”

Actor Lee Hee-jun (48) is the one who feels more bewildered than anyone else by the success of the ENA drama 'Scarecrow'.

Lee Hee-jun expressed his gratitude for the drama's immense popularity, saying, "We thought hard on set about how to make it really fun and well-made, and we focused on doing our best. The content is intense, and it's not a story where a detective and a prosecutor who had a bad relationship join forces to coolly catch a criminal. It's not about catching a criminal, nor is it a bright ending, so I never thought it would do this well."

Lee Hee-jun, who plays the role of prosecutor Cha Si-young, confessed that the reason he decided to appear in 'Scarecrow' was "because I was so surprised when I read the script, even though it sounds cliché."

Lee Hee-jun revealed, "I usually decide to appear in a show after reading the script up to episode 4. At the end of episode 4, I get stabbed and tell Kang Tae-joo, 'I thought we were brothers.' Naturally, I assumed that from episode 5 onwards, we would engage in a touching collaboration. However, after meeting the director and deciding to take the role, I heard the story following episode 4, and it was a huge shock. It was actually more exciting and thrilling that we kept missing each other until the very end. I like things that exceed my expectations. It made me want to do it even more."

'Scarecrow' is a work based on the Lee Chun-jae serial murder case that took place in the Hwaseong area of Gyeonggi Province from 1986 to 1991, which was also the subject of Director Bong Joon-ho's film 'Memories of Murder' (2003).

Lee Hee-jun, said he felt no pressure at all about appearing in a work based on a true story, stating, "On the contrary, I was intrigued by the fact that it deals with the story that follows."

Lee Hee-jun said, "We all found out who the culprit was, and I liked dealing with the story that followed. Not only the culprit, but the people of a village suffered for 30 years, and there were even those who were wrongly framed. I thought it was a cool idea to tell the story of how we all endured together," adding, "Rather than studying the true story, I tried to focus on the relationship between Cha Si-young and Kang Tae-joo."

‘Scarecrow’ marks the fourth collaboration between Lee Hee-jun and Park Hae-soo. Lee Hee-jun quipped, "This is a personal matter, but the CEO was worried that continuing to work together might have a negative impact. We joked that if the reaction to 'Scarecrow' wasn't good this time, we should make this our last project together and work on separate ones, but things turned out this way, so it looks like we'll have to do a few more. The CEO is very happy right now."

He continued, "I exchanged text messages with Park Hae-soo recently. I told him that I enjoyed working with him and was happy. Let's do about 10 more projects together. I hope we can grow old together. We had a conversation like that," adding, "I like Park Hae-soo as a person. I jokingly said in passing, 'Let's not act like we're pretending.'"

'Scarecrow' started with a viewership rating of 2.9% and set a new record by surpassing the previous number one ENA Monday-Tuesday drama, 'The Innocent Woman' (2025, 7.1%) starring Jeon Yeo-bin, in just six episodes. This is the second-highest viewership rating in ENA history (1st place: 'Strange Lawyer Woo Young-woo' (2022), 17.5%).

Lee Hee-jun quipped, "I think it's thanks to the director and Park Hae-soo," and added, "I believe receiving attention is precious and not an opportunity that comes easily. I find myself checking the viewership ratings every week. I think it's amazing just to have this much. Since the airing of 'Scarecrow,' the public recognizes me more and greets me comfortably."

Lee Hee-jun continues his acting career without taking a break even after 'Scarecrow'. Following Disney+'s 'Koreans', he appears in 'Moving 2"'. Starting in June, he will appear in the play 'Flower, Stars Pass', and in the second half of the year, he will take the stage in the musical 'Let Me Fly'.

Regarding the reason for his prolific work, he said, "I am ambitious, so I want to do everything. I always reflect on it. I am currently working on four projects, and even if the moment of choice came again, I would make the same choice," adding, "If my heart beats, I want to do it. I probably won't be able to refuse in the future and will want to do everything."