Low-Key Debut, High-Stakes Rise – K-Drama Surges from 6.1% to 13.2%

A Korean drama has once again captured viewers’ attention as its viewership surged to a peak of 13.2%. It not only ranked No. 1 among all Friday programs in the key 20–49 demographic but also topped its time slot and the entire week’s lineup of miniseries.

The show in question is SBS’s Friday-Saturday drama 'Buried Hearts'. The series follows Seo Dong-joo (played by Park Hyung-sik), a man seeking revenge after hacking into a secret 2 trillion won political slush fund and being nearly killed by a shadowy force.

According to Nielsen Korea on March 22, the latest episode of 'Buried Hearts' scored nationwide and Seoul metropolitan area ratings of 12.2%, with a real-time peak hitting 13.2%. Its 2049 demographic rating also hit 2.8%, making it the No. 1 show across all genres airing on Friday, including drama, variety, and news. It also topped all networks in its time slot and claimed the week's highest miniseries rating.

In the episode, Seo Dong-joo survives another deadly encounter and begins to tighten the noose around Yeom Jang-seon (Heo Joon-ho) and Heo Il-do (Lee Hae-young). Yeo Eun-nam (Hong Hwa-yeon) discovers that Yeom and Heo were behind the attempt on Seo's life and confronts them. In response, Yeom plans to eliminate both Seo and Eun-nam.

Elsewhere, Seo engages in a fight with Manager (Seong No-jin), who previously attacked him, and comes face to face with Heo Il-do. Although Heo is there to kill Seo on Yeom’s orders, he hesitates after seeing his son, Heo Tae-yoon (Yoon Sang-hyun), arrive in search of Seo. Ultimately, Heo stabs the manager with a syringe meant for Seo.

After subduing the situation, Seo asks Heo, “Why did you spare me today?” and reminds him, “I’ve saved your life twice—once when you fell into the sea, and now, right here.”

Seo later learns from the manager that Yeom is planning to harm Eun-nam. He grabs Heo Il-do’s phone and rushes to her rescue. Successfully saving her, Seo confronts Yeom and seizes the phone of the hitman Yeom had planted near Eun-nam. With both pieces of evidence, Seo gains leverage and boldly taunts Yeom over the phone: “Wait for me. I’ll return everything to you.” He then heads straight to Wa Young-jae, where Yeom is hiding.

Although a furious Yeom pulls a gun, Seo is already one step ahead, having aligned himself with the elder (Choi Kwang-il) whom Yeom serves. The elder, referencing the 2 trillion won Swiss account, urges Yeom to hand over financial control to Seo.

Seo then warns, “When your life is finally worth the price of my revenge, that’s when I’ll kill you.” Back at Daesan Group, Seo declares war on Heo Il-do: “You tried to kill me, and now that failed attempt is my leverage. I plan to use it well.” Episode 9 ends with Seo preparing for a full-scale counterattack while Heo Il-do scrambles under pressure.

The episode’s fast-paced developments—Seo’s confrontation with his enemies, Chairman Cha Kang-chun’s (Woo Hyun) shifting stance, his secret child Ji Seon-woo (Cha Woo-min), and clues tied to a child named Seong-hyun—fueled intense viewer engagement.

Seo reveals to Yeom and Heo that his memory has returned, signaling the beginning of his full-blown revenge. All eyes are on how he will execute his plans.

The production team released a preview of Episode 10, showing Seo standing confidently next to Cha Kang-chun, as if he’s returned to his old self from before he lost his memory. In contrast, Heo Il-do looks on with unease, and Yeom is expected to spiral further as Seo gains the upper hand.

In a statement to News1, the 'Buried Hearts' team said, “In Episode 10, airing on March 22, Seo Dong-joo will ramp up the pressure on Yeom and Heo. Park Hyung-sik, Heo Joon-ho, and Lee Hae-young will deliver intense performances that heighten the tension and psychological warfare. We ask for continued interest and support.”

Key Highlights for the Second Half of 'Buried Hearts'

Park Hyung-sik's Seo Dong-joo declares all-out revenge on Heo Joon-ho's Yeom Jang-seon

Having recovered his lost memories, Seo Dong-joo gears up for revenge. Previously unable to recall who tried to kill him—or the password to the 2 trillion won account—Seo was at the mercy of his enemies. Taking advantage of this, Yeom murdered Seo’s sister, Sister Agnes (Han Ji-hye), in a cruel attempt to jog his memory. Now, Seo is ready to risk everything in his fight against Yeom.

Heo Joon-ho’s Yeom Jang-seon: A villain consumed by greed

Yeom views human lives as expendable. Driven solely by money, he created the 2 trillion won slush fund under the guise of a “National Patriot Fund” and even killed Sister Agnes to revive Seo’s memory. As Seo begins his retaliation, viewers are watching to see how far Yeom’s evil will go.

A three-way power struggle no one can trust

The battle over the massive slush fund grows fiercer. While Yeom has orchestrated the larger scheme, Heo Il-do has been a pawn in his game—until now. After failing to kill Seo, Heo starts plotting his own counterstrike. The showdown among the three men—set against the backdrop of Daesan Group—kicks into high gear, and no one is safe.

The mystery surrounding ‘Seong-hyun’ deepens

When Seo had amnesia, the only name he remembered was “Seong-hyun.” After he introduced himself by that name, Daesan Group’s eldest daughter Cha Deok-hee (Kim Jung-nan) and Secretary Gong (Seo Kyung-hwa) were visibly shaken. The name may be tied to Seo’s origins, adding another layer of intrigue. Is Seo really “Seong-hyun,” and what secrets does the name hold?

'Buried Hearts' Ratings Trend (Nationwide, Nielsen Korea):

Ep. 1: 6.1%

Ep. 2: 8.1%

Ep. 3: 8.8%

Ep. 4: 10.2%

Ep. 5: 9.2%

Ep. 6: 11.2%

Ep. 7: 10.9%

Ep. 8: 12.3%

Ep. 9: 12.2%

SBS’s 'Buried Hearts' airs every Friday and Saturday at 9:50 p.m. KST.