‘Buried Hearts’ Actress Hong Hwa-yeon Secured Lead Role Against 100:1 Odds

Newcomer Hong Hwa-yeon has made a striking impression in Buried Hearts, delivering a performance full of depth and intrigue.

In the newly premiered SBS Friday-Saturday drama, Hong plays Yeo Eun-nam, the granddaughter of the chairman of Daesan Group—a role she secured after beating 100:1 competition. From the very first episodes, she has thrown the story into chaos with her gripping portrayal.

Eun-nam first appeared as a secret lover to Seo Dong-joo (played by Park Hyung-sik), hinting at an emotional connection. However, in a shocking twist, she abruptly announces her engagement to the nephew of Yeom Jang-seon (Heo Jun-ho), leaving Dong-joo blindsided. The moment she switches from gazing at Dong-joo with warmth to coldly revealing her hidden agenda, her character’s complexity is fully unveiled.

Hong masterfully conveys Eun-nam’s internal struggles—her lingering regrets and unresolved emotions—purely through subtle expressions and nuanced acting. Particularly in the wedding scene, as her eyes meet Dong-joo’s, a mix of love, pain, and sorrow washes over her face, heightening the show’s emotional tension.

Despite being a fresh face, Hong Hwa-yeon has delivered a layered performance, capturing the essence of a woman torn between love, betrayal, and revenge. Her intense chemistry with Park Hyung-sik has already drawn viewers in, while her character’s deep-seated resentment toward her adoptive father, Heo Il-do (Lee Hae-young), adds another compelling layer to the narrative.

From the outset, Hong has proven that Eun-nam is far from a one-dimensional antagonist—her character is woven with love, conflict, and remorse, making her one to watch. As Treasure Island unfolds, audiences eagerly anticipate the unpredictable twists her performance will bring.

Meanwhile, Buried Hearts is an original drama with no webtoon or novel adaptation, making each plot development even more suspenseful. Character relationships can be explored on the drama’s official website. The show airs every Friday at 10:00 PM KST and Saturday at 9:50 PM KST on SBS and is available for streaming on Disney+ and Wavve.