Ko Hyun-jung's 'The Scrab' Effect Drives Up Drama's Highest Ratings

SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'The Scrab: Killer's Outing' is sailing smoothly, continuously breaking its own highest viewership ratings, largely due to the undeniable presence of actress Ko Hyun-jung.

Ko plays Jeong Yi-shin, known as 'The Scrab,' a serial killer and the mother of protagonist Cha Su-yeol (played by Jang Dong-yoon). She perfectly embodies this complex character, escalating the drama's immersion to its peak.

Jeong Yi-shin is a revered figure to some for her past killings of abusers of women and children. Simultaneously, it's revealed she committed her first murder to protect her son, showcasing her complicated maternal emotions.

Ko Hyun-jung navigates this dual nature with remarkable skill, like a fish in water, delivering profound satisfaction to viewers. Her nuanced emotional expressions, gaze, and breath breathe life into the character, adding depth to the narrative.

Director Byun Young-joo had expressed her desire to cast Ko for the role of Jeong Yi-shin immediately after reading the script. Indeed, Ko Hyun-jung is once again proving her accumulated acting prowess, honed through diverse roles like 'Queen Seondeok's' Mishil, 'Dear My Friends's' Park Wan, and 'Mask Girl's' Kim Mo-mi.

This 'Ko Hyun-jung effect' is also evident in various buzz charts. 'The Scrab: Killer's Outing' has secured a high ranking in TV topic charts, and Ko herself placed fourth in the actor buzz survey.

Furthermore, the 'Ko Hyun-jung effect' resonates overseas. The drama hit number 7 on Netflix's Global Top 10 series, capturing the attention of viewers worldwide. Ko Hyun-jung's portrayal, fully immersed in the role of a psychopathic scarab, is moving hearts beyond national borders.

Delivering thrills to viewers with every episode through her meticulous acting and unparalleled presence, Ko Hyun-jung's performance makes the character more compelling than anyone else could. Her masterful execution is significantly raising anticipation for the remaining episodes of 'The Scrab: Killer's Outing.'

Meanwhile, the fifth episode of 'The Scrab: Killer's Outing,' starring Ko Hyun-jung, will air on Friday, the 19th, at 9:50 PM.

Ko Hyun-jung debuted in 1989 through the Miss Korea pageant and has since established herself as a leading actress in South Korea for over three decades. She is praised for her versatile acting skills, seamlessly transitioning between historical dramas, contemporary pieces, and thrillers, consistently delivering 'life character' performances. Her in-depth analysis and immersion into each role are lauded, showcasing artistic merit that transcends mere acting.