SBS’s revenge thriller Buried Hearts has taken Korean TV by storm, hitting its highest viewership ratings yet on April 4, 2025. The latest episode pulled in an average nationwide rating of 13.4 percent, making it the most-watched show of the day across all channels. With only a few episodes left, this K-Drama is proving it’s a must-watch hit that keeps viewers hooked week after week.
What’s driving this success? It’s a mix of a gripping story, standout performances, and a plot that keeps everyone guessing. Starring Park Hyung Sik as Seo Dong Ju and Heo Joon Ho as Yeom Jang Seon, the show dives into a dark world of money, power, and revenge. Let’s break down why this drama is dominating the charts as it races toward its big finish.
Fans can’t stop talking about Buried Hearts, and the numbers back it up. On April 4, it didn’t just beat its own record—it claimed the top spot for all programs airing that day. Among viewers aged 20 to 49, a group broadcasters care about most, it scored a solid 3.5 percent, locking in first place for its time slot. This kind of pull shows the drama’s wide appeal, reaching both young fans and seasoned K-Drama watchers.
The Story That’s Got Everyone Hooked
At the heart of Buried Hearts is a wild tale about a massive two trillion won political slush fund. Park Hyung Sik plays Seo Dong Ju, a sharp and secretive corporate secretary who hacks into the fund to protect himself. Things take a dark turn when he’s attacked by Heo Joon Ho’s character, Yeom Jang Seon, a powerful figure who doesn’t even know the money’s been touched at first.
The attack leaves Seo Dong Ju fighting for his life. He survives but loses his memory, setting off a chain of events that pulls both men into a dangerous game. Yeom Jang Seon, a law school professor and ex-National Intelligence Service director, soon figures out the money’s gone and becomes obsessed with getting it back. Meanwhile, Seo Dong Ju’s journey to reclaim his past and take down his enemies keeps viewers on edge.
The drama’s mix of suspense, betrayal, and raw emotion has struck a chord. Every episode piles on new twists, making it impossible to look away. As the show heads into its final two weeks, fans are buzzing about how it’ll all end—will Seo Dong Ju get his revenge, or will Yeom Jang Seon come out on top?
Stellar Cast Brings It to Life
Park Hyung Sik shines as Seo Dong Ju, showing a side of him fans haven’t seen before. Known for lighter roles, he’s stepped into this darker, more intense character with ease. His quiet determination and moments of vulnerability make Seo Dong Ju a hero you can’t help but root for. When he’s on screen, you feel the weight of every choice he makes.
Then there’s Heo Joon Ho as Yeom Jang Seon, the kind of villain who’s as smart as he is ruthless. He plays the role with a chilling calm, making every move feel calculated and cold. Together, their chemistry fuels the drama’s tension, turning their clash into the heartbeat of the show.
The supporting cast adds even more depth. Lee Hae Young as Heo Il Do, Hong Hwa Yeon as Yeo Eun Nam, and Woo Hyun as Cha Gang Cheon, the Daesan Group chairman, all bring their own layers to the story. Every character feels real, with their own stakes in this messy web of greed and power.
Numbers That Tell the Story
The ratings climb isn’t a fluke—it’s been building since the show started on February 21, 2025. Airing every Friday and Saturday at 10:00 PM KST on SBS, Buried Hearts has doubled its audience over time. It kicked off with a solid 6.1 percent and has kept rising, hitting peaks like 14.1 percent in key moments.
Here’s a quick look at its journey:
Premiere (Feb 21): 6.1% nationwide
Episode 4 (Feb 28): 10.2% nationwide
Episode 8 (Mar 15): 12.3% nationwide
Episode 10 (Mar 22): 13.1% nationwide
Latest Episode (Apr 4): 13.4% nationwide
These numbers come from Nielsen Korea, a trusted source for TV ratings. The steady growth shows how the drama’s pulled in more viewers as the plot thickens. It’s not just holding steady—it’s getting bigger, even outpacing rivals like MBC’s Undercover High School, which hit 8.3 percent at its peak.
Why It Stands Out
Buried Hearts isn’t your typical K-Drama. While many lean on romance or comedy, this one goes hard into revenge and corporate games. Writer Lee Myung Hee, who penned Money Flower, and director Jin Chang Gyu have crafted a story that feels fresh yet familiar. It’s got the classic revenge vibe—think one man against a corrupt system—but adds modern twists like hacking and memory loss.
The production’s top-notch too. Filming kicked off with a script reading on June 13, 2024, and the team’s effort shows. The visuals pop, from tense close-ups to sweeping shots of the Daesan Group’s world. It’s polished but never feels overdone, keeping the focus on the story.
Fans online are raving about it. One viewer said:
“Park Hyung Sik is crazy good in this drama and crazy super duper good looking too. I haven’t watched this type of drama for a very long time.”
Another called out a wild plot twist:
“Wow the plot twist in ep12 is so crazy, I knew it, the writer won’t let the 2 leads be step siblings.”
What’s Next?
With just a handful of episodes left—out of its 16 total—the stakes are higher than ever. Seo Dong Ju’s memory is back, and he’s ready to strike. Yeom Jang Seon’s not backing down either, and the clash is building to something huge. Will justice win, or will power crush it all?
The show’s available on Disney+ in select regions, alongside its SBS run, so global fans are in on the action too. As it heads into the final stretch, all eyes are on whether Buried Hearts can top its 13.4 percent mark—or even climb higher.
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