This Korean Drama Becomes 2025’s #1 K-Drama—Beats New Shows Even After Finale

Even after wrapping up its broadcast, one Korean drama continues to dominate. In the third week of April, SBS’s Buried Hearts (보물섬) soared to the top of the weekly content rankings—beating out buzzy new releases like Bunny and the Brothers and The Privates 3.

The drama ended on April 12 with a series-high average viewership rating of 15.4%, and a peak at 17.9%. Not only did it top the charts post-finale, but it also set the highest viewership among all miniseries aired in 2025 so far.

Buried Hearts tells the story of Seo Dong-joo, a man who hacks into a slush fund worth 2 trillion won and ends up facing deadly enemies who want him silenced. What began in February with a modest 6% rating grew into a national hit, thanks to its tight plot, intense emotional stakes, and charismatic performances.

Stars Reflect on a Memorable Run

Leading actor Park Hyung-sik shared his heartfelt thanks via social media the day after the finale:

“Thank you to everyone who watched and loved Buried Hearts. And to our beloved team—thank you sincerely. Every moment was precious. Goodbye, Dong-joo.”

Lee Hae-young, who played Heo Il-do, the ambitious son-in-law of a chaebol family, also reflected on his experience:

“This was a true challenge in my acting career. It wasn’t easy playing a character with such emotional range, but working alongside amazing actors like Heo Jun-ho, Park Hyung-sik, and Kim Jung-nan made it a joy. Thank you to the viewers for your love.”

KinoLights: Content Rankings Beyond the Finale

According to data analysis firm KinoLights, which tracks over 100,000 pieces of media content each week, Buried Hearts claimed the No. 1 spot in overall content rankings for the third week of April. The rankings analyze performance across dramas, movies, and variety shows.

Here are the top 5 in the overall content rankings:

Buried Hearts (SBS) – Post-finale surge proves its staying power.

Lim Young-woong: I’m Hero – The Stadium – A concert film capturing the K-pop trot star’s epic two-day event, now 10 weeks in Netflix Korea’s Top 10.

Cinderella Game (KBS) – A daily drama nearing its finale, powered by a revenge-fueled plot and strong performances.

The Art of Negotiation (JTBC) – Starring Lee Je-hoon with a buzzworthy silver-haired makeover, recently hit double-digit ratings.

When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다, Netflix) – A four-part emotional journey through the lives of two bold, unforgettable Jeju characters. It leads Netflix’s non-English TV rankings and earned 8 Baeksang nominations.

Other notable mentions in the Top 10 include:

Bunny and Her Boys (Crushology 101) (MBC)

Heart Pairing (Channel A)

Home Alone (I Live Alone) (MBC)

Karma (Netflix)

The Privates 3 (Genie TV)

What Made Buried Hearts a Standout Success?

The drama’s continued success after its finale is credited to its smart direction by Jin Chang-gyu, a layered script by writer Lee Myung-hee, and an ensemble cast that brought nuance to every twist.

Despite its provocative themes, Buried Hearts delivered a tightly woven narrative and emotional depth that resonated with audiences. It now stands as a defining Korean drama of the first half of 2025—and its impact isn’t fading anytime soon.

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