Actor Yeo Jin-goo. / Courtesy of JANUS Entertainment By Lee Gyu-lee

Actor Yeo Jin-goo is set to make a small-screen comeback with JTBC's new series "Monster" (direct translation) since the fantasy drama "Hotel del Luna" last year.

The actor's agency JANUS Entertainment said he had confirmed the lead role in the crime thriller series.

Yeo will play elite detective Han Joo-won. After getting transferred to a police precinct in a small town, he gets caught in a mysterious murder case.

"I was drawn to the unique sense of vibe of 'Monster' compared to other thriller genre flicks and the realistic details of its characters," the actor said though the agency. "I'm excited to show a new side of me through the character Han Joo-won."

Written by Kim Soo-jin, who wrote the thriller series "Mad Dog," the upcoming series will revolve around detective Han and his partner and rowdy sergeant Lee Dong-sik, played by Shin Ha-kyun.

One day, the two encounter a murder case showing the pattern of an unsolved serial murder case from 20 years ago. They team up to hunt down the truth among the small-town neighbors.

The series is slated to air in the first half of 2021.

gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr