Soared Up to 17.9%— 2025's Top-Rated K-Drama Just Wrapped!

In the first half of 2025, one drama climbed the ratings charts with unstoppable momentum to become the undisputed leader of primetime. SBS’s Friday-Saturday series Buried Hearts ended its run on April 13 with a staggering 17.9% peak rating, setting the highest viewership record for a miniseries this year. That’s nearly triple its premiere rating of 6.1%.

Written by Im Myeong-hee (Money Flower) and directed by Jin Chang-gyu (Military Prosecutor Doberman), the series combined a tightly woven narrative with cinematic directing and powerhouse performances from Park Hyung-sik and Huh Joon-ho, anchoring its success.

The show first aired on February 21 with modest numbers but quickly built momentum. By episode 4, it broke into double digits, and from episode 6 to the finale, it consistently stayed above 10%. Its finale earned 15.4% nationwide and 15.7% in the Seoul metro area, with a 2049 target demo rating of 4.0%—making it the #1 show not just in its time slot but across all programming that week.

Buried Hearts follows Seo Dong-joo (Park Hyung-sik), a corporate executive who steals ₩2 trillion in slush funds from political power players. He sets out on a revenge campaign against Yum Jang-seon (Huh Joon-ho), a kingmaker and former NIS chief who once tried to have him killed. Rather than a simple tale of good vs. evil, the drama explores power, greed, and the darker sides of human nature—elevating the revenge genre with psychological depth.

Ratings analysts point to three key reasons for the drama’s runaway success:

Narrative rhythm – The revenge arc and plot twists were well-timed, reducing viewer fatigue.

Acting synergy – Park and Huh’s contrasting but explosive performances grounded the story.

Genre evolution – The show’s sleek direction modernized the classic revenge format.

Park Hyung-sik portrayed the icy but desperate Seo Dong-joo with layered emotional nuance. Meanwhile, Huh Joon-ho delivered a hauntingly restrained performance as Yeom Jang-seon—equal parts cold and terrifying—solidifying his character as one of K-drama’s most chilling villains in recent memory.

The final episode didn’t end with pure catharsis. Though Dong-joo’s revenge was complete, it left a lingering sense of futility and emptiness—closing one loop of greed only to hint at another. It was a quiet but powerful message about human nature and desire.

The supporting cast also shined, with memorable roles from Lee Hae-young, Kim Jung-nan, Woo Hyun, Do Ji-won, Hong Soo-hyun, and rising newcomer Hong Hwa-yeon, who stood out as a fresh face to watch.

Buried Hearts ultimately represents a rare harmony of writing, directing, and acting. It stayed true to the revenge drama framework while infusing it with modern themes, appealing to viewers across generations. The show has now set a new standard for what a well-made revenge thriller can achieve—both in ratings and in narrative craft.

Following Buried Hearts, SBS will premiere a new fantasy rom-com titled The Haunted Palace on April 18. Written by Yoon Su-jeong and directed by Yoon Sung-sik, the drama follows Yeori (Kim Ji-yeon), a shaman who rejects her fate, and Kang Cheol-i (Yook Sung-jae), a mythical serpent spirit trapped in her first love’s body. Their intertwined fates collide with a cursed royal family in a supernatural soul-swapping tale. Also starring Kim Ji-hoon, the series promises romance, and ancient grudges in one wild ride.

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