The new Korean thriller series Hunter With a Scalpel premiered on Disney+ on June 16, 2025, and its first episode left viewers with many questions. The biggest mystery revolves around a child seen holding a doll in key scenes. Here’s everything you need to know about the show’s gripping start.
The story follows Seo Se-hyun, a top forensic analyst played by Park Ju-hyun. Her dark past starts resurfacing as she investigates a series of disturbing crimes. The episode opens with a flashback of a child—likely a young Se-hyun—sitting near a white truck, scratching a hand injury while clutching a doll. This scene connects to her present-day work, where she examines a murder case with eerie similarities to her childhood trauma.
During an autopsy, Se-hyun finds thread inside a corpse, which triggers memories of her past. The show hints that her father, Yoon Jo-gyun (Park Yong-woo), believed to be dead, might still be alive. He is seen watching her TV interview while ironing clothes, adding to the suspense. Meanwhile, detective Jung Jung-hyun (Kang Hoon) chases a suspect but gets hit by a car, raising tensions in the police department.
The episode ends with the same child going into the truck, mirroring the opening scene. This suggests that Se-hyun’s past will play a major role in the upcoming episodes. The series is set to have 16 episodes, with new releases every Thursday on Disney+.
Fans are already speculating about the child’s identity and the doll’s significance. Some believe the doll represents a hidden trauma, while others think it could be linked to a larger crime. The show’s mix of forensic investigation and personal drama has drawn comparisons to other hit K-dramas like Signal and Stranger.
The cast includes Park Ju-hyun, known for her role in Extracurricular, and Kang Hoon, who starred in The Red Sleeve. Their performances have been praised for adding depth to the suspenseful storyline. The series is based on the novel Hunter With a Scalpel by Choi Yi Do and is directed by Lee Jung-hoon.
Viewers can expect more twists as Se-hyun digs deeper into the crimes while confronting her own secrets. The next episodes will likely reveal more about the mysterious child and the doll’s connection to the murders.
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