Perfect K-Drama Baton Pass—‘Love Scout’ Successor Dominates Ratings from Episode 1

The highly anticipated SBS drama Buried Hearts, starring Park Hyung-sik and Heo Joon-ho, made a powerful debut, captivating viewers with its gripping first episode. The drama recorded a nationwide average rating of 6.1%, with peak viewership soaring to 8.2%, securing the #1 spot in its time slot.

Premiering on February 21, Buried Hearts edged out MBC’s Undercover High School, which debuted with a 5.6% rating. According to Nielsen Korea, Buried Hearts not only topped its time slot but also became the highest-rated Friday miniseries.

The Successor to Love Scout

Buried Hearts follows SBS’s hit drama Love Scout, which concluded with a 12% peak rating. This new series dives into a high-stakes battle over a stolen ₩2 trillion political slush fund, centering on a man who unknowingly destroys the fortune and the hidden power figures who will stop at nothing to reclaim it.

The drama boasts an impressive cast, including Park Hyung-sik, Heo Joon-ho, Lee Hae-young, Hong Hwa-yeon, and Woo Hyun. Park Hyung-sik plays Seo Dong-joo, an elite executive at Daesan Group’s external affairs team. Caught in a dangerous political game, he is betrayed and left for dead, only to miraculously survive and seek revenge on those who tried to kill him.

Heo Joon-ho delivers a chilling performance as Yeom Jang-seon, a kingmaker and law professor who engineers Daesan Group’s rise to power. A ruthless puppeteer, he manipulates money and politics like a chessboard, orchestrating Dong-joo’s downfall after the slush fund is completed.

A Blockbuster Revenge Thriller in the Making

Even before its premiere, Buried Hearts generated buzz for its high-octane storytelling. Director Jin Chang-kyu teased, “This is a battle for treasure—money, power, and love. Expect an intense, fast-paced drama centered around corporate warfare.”

Heo Joon-ho added, “SBS dramas have been mild lately, but it’s time for something spicier. We made sure this won’t be boring.”

Episode 1 Recap: A Storm of Betrayal and Revenge

The first episode wasted no time, opening with Seo Dong-joo unconscious, floating in the sea—a clear sign of the brutal betrayal he endured. As the story unfolded, viewers were thrown into the cutthroat world of Daesan Group, where Dong-joo’s elite status couldn’t shield him from power struggles.

Torn between love and ambition, Dong-joo chooses romance over a corporate alliance—only to suffer a devastating betrayal. In a shocking twist, his lover, Yeo Eun-nam (Hong Hwa-yeon), appears at a wedding not as his bride, but as the granddaughter of Daesan Group’s chairman—marrying another man. The episode ended with Dong-joo’s heartbreak and a promise of revenge, leaving viewers hooked for more.

The fast-paced premiere sparked strong reactions online:

🔥 “Park Hyung-sik and Heo Joon-ho’s acting is insane!”

⚡ “This drama is WILD from the start!”

⏩ “The speed, the intensity—I love it!”

😵 “So much happened in one episode, my head is spinning.”

👏 “Park Hyung-sik has come a long way since his idol days—his acting is top-notch.”

🌟 “I can already tell this is going to be my new favorite drama.”

With its thrilling premiere and strong performances, Buried Hearts is off to a promising start. Episode 2 airs on February 22 at 9:50 PM KST. Will Dong-joo’s revenge begin? Stay tuned!