Buried Hearts

Buried Hearts (2025) is an overreaching corporate revenge drama that delves deeply into betrayal, power, and ambition's steep price. The drama's plot is riddled with political slush-fund hacks, boardroom stabbing contests, and private grudge matches, but at times its narrative is overly florid and poorly paced.

Synopsis
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Central to it is Seo Dong-ju, an erstwhile obedient office worker turned to a life of vengeance when betrayed by the same system to which he remained loyal. The program attempts to weave threads of private tragedy on one hand, threads of business conspiracy on another, with Dong-ju infiltrating a massive two-trillion-won mobilization pool in order to remain in business so he can pursue ultimate vengeance. The premise is engaging enough, but occasionally too many subplots—from family treachery to political scandal—are woven in such a way that the action becomes complicated with too much to track, with at least some viewers pining for more focus and unity.

Performances
Park Hyung-sik excels in his depiction of Dong-ju, expressing his inner turmoil as much as his aloof, calculated pursuit of revenge. One of his ability to be both vulnerable and determined at the same time is one of the drama's strongest points. The supporting actors, including Huh Joon-ho and Hong Hwa-yeon, bring with them good performances; however, not everyone's narrative arc is given room to fulfill their full development, which occasionally hurts emotional resolution.

Direction, Camera, and Music

In terms of aesthetics, the show makes use of tight, intimate camera work and dark, atmospheric colors to match up with themes of disintegration and loneliness. The soundtrack, from background sound to sound effect, is excellent in bringing out the tension and drama, even if occasionnally transitions can sometimes be harsh. The technicals are fluid, if occasionally have trouble to tie all of the narrative threads together with exactitude.

General Perception
General In general, Buried Hearts is an entertaining show that deserves to be considered as a revenge drama—it's good concept and starring performance propel it along even in spite of some of the narrative missteps. Although the overplotting and occasional pacing problems detract from the overall viewing experience, even so, it still presents an absorbing, though imperfect, narrative of ambition and tragedy. Final Rating: 7.5/10

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Well this drama was a ride

DISCLAIMER!!

This is all my opinion and I respect if people don't agree with it.

SPOILERS AND A BIG RANT AHEAD!!

To be honest, I actually understood what was happening near the end, like in the last four episodes. I started to understand how the charaters were thinking then. I had no idea what was happening before that but I still enjoyed watching Hyungsik. He's an extraordinary actor, he excellently delivered the emotional scenes.

As for the story, very convoluted, as I said before I was barely able to follow, I was frustrated for almost 80% of the drama. I think it was probably because of the fact that there were million stories happening at the same time, the amnesia, the patriotism fund, the dementia, the love story, the family revelation, etc. like all of it was confusing. The satisfying parts where Dongju was supposed to one up the evil grandpa were barely satisfying. There wasn't any balancing between bad and good stuff happeneing, literally Dongju was suffering 90% of the time.

I get that Buried Hears is whatever people that haven't watched kdramas think a kdrama is, with revenge, twisted family tree, hidden son, plotwists left and right, betrayals, etc. but I dont think it was greatly explaied even with 16 episodes, which is why I could barely follow what was happening. But I did finish it so that must mean that I at least liked something about it (probably Hyungsik 💀). As for the ending, okay... I gUESS Dongju leaving Daesan was good since he was miserable in it, but what was the point of all that he went through??? Plus keeping Yeom Jangseon in the vault and then him going to prison wasn't as satisfying as I thought it would be. It was too comfortable for what he has done.

Another thing that I liked was Hyungsik's hair... oh and also the acting. I think that was great, even tho Eunnam's actress could've worked more on her expressions but I heard that she isn't very experienced, so it's fine. And I also liked the revelation that Dongju's father was Ildo. It left my mouth wide open. I didn't expect it at all.

The relationship between Dongju and Eunnam's got frustrating really quickly. This whole story basically started because Eunnam betrayed Dongju. And then Dongju continued to love her. Okay. That's stupid. I get that "yOu wOuLd dO aNyThIng fOr LoVe", but I hate that. The aUDACITY she had to "wait" for him and still want to be with him after what she did, so selfish. Thank gOD he left at the end.

The relationships between Dongju and Hyucheol was actually entertaining to watch. Especially near the end when they were just teasing each other. The actors had great chemisty and were able to pull that off.

I hate how the chairman basically discarded Taeyun once Seonu showed up. I felt so bad for him. He literally did nothing wrong. His dad was killed, ha has a pushy mom, he found out that he has a half brother, a half uncle, he was shunned by his own grandpa. And then he most likely dies??? Tragic.

As for Seonu, I love Woomin and his characters but why must he always be the evil one 😭 I dont think it was necessary here, he was living just fine being a baker. But then again, I guess the Woo and Yeom families ruined him in a way. If there's a season 2, he's probably gonna be the new Yeom Jangseon.

As for Yeongsu, Seonu's mom, I actually liked her character, in a bad way of course. I hated her but liked that she was cunning and quiet while scheming in the background. That's how you write a decent evil character.

By the end of it I got so sick and tired of these people I couldn't wait for it to end. I probably continued watching it because it still piqued my curiosity about what's gonna happen. And I was waiting for the satisfying part of Dongju winning but it never came because he was still miserable at the end.

Overall, managed to finish it, so a solid 7.0

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I hope there's a S2

The drama was good. It was given a realistic end. If your a fan of happy ending then don't watch. Dong ju didn't kill himself. He's just taking time off to find himself. He's in pain. Surviving several death attempts since he was little, watching his sister die, watching his father die, it's a lot to take in and keep inside. For me Taeyun is stupid and naive. Stupid because he did not follow his gut feelings about Seonu, naive because he did not voice out his fears about Seonu to Dong ju. Seonu tested pushing him the first time, and yet Taeyun did not tell anyone especially Dong ju. Taeyun let his guard down because he was lonely, no father, no Dong ju, so he felt someone close to his age group, Seonu, could serve as a companion. Wrong move. I feel his death would be a good boost for Dong ju if there is a S2. I hope it's a 5 year time jump. The Chairman dies. Seonu and his mum wrecks Daesan group. Dong ju comes back. I hope he does before Seonu and his mum kills Eunam. The easy part will be to buy the company (if it comes to that) because he has the money to do so. The hardest part will be to push out Seonu and his mum. I knew something was off about Seonu the minute he realized he was the Chairman's son. Another villain in the making.

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Buried Hearts Had Me Hooked—Then Played in My Face

I started Buried Hearts mostly for Park Hyung Sik (yes, I’m that person), but, but, but—I stayed because the tension, mood, looks, and messiness had me locked in. It was giving slow-burn energy in all the right ways. Episodes 1 through 7 felt like something unsettling was just around the corner, I was convinced it was building up to something criminal, complicated, and devastating. But then it became a different show. The plot started to fizzle, the pacing got weird, and all that emotional buildup kind of quietly slipped away. It got under my skin, and not in a good way. It felt like a rollercoaster that turned into a bungee jump with a too-long cord. It’s not a bad series, just a frustrating one. Because it really had something in the beginning. Then I was like, “Wait…that’s how you’re ending this?! For real!” The saving grace? The cast. They showed up and showed out—especially Lee Seon-hee, Song Jin-woo, Ju Yeon-u, Lee Yoo-joon, and Kim Ki-moo. A few scenes even made me hit rewind. Would I recommend it? Maybe—but only to people who don’t mind a setup without a satisfying payoff.

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Twists, Tears, and Tangled Threads: Buried Hearts Struggles for Structure

With its haunting tone and constant sense of emotional unease, the series sets out to explore the fragility of human connection and how the past can haunt even our best intentions. And for the most part, it succeeds.

From the very beginning, Buried Hearts draws you in with the promise of mystery. The central plot surrounding a tragic event that binds the lead characters together is introduced gradually, with carefully placed flashbacks and revelations that peel back layers over time. This slow-burn approach works well early on, creating a palpable sense of tension and curiosity. You want to know what happened. You need to understand why certain characters act the way they do. That intrigue is one of the show’s greatest strengths.

The cast delivers across the board. The leads, in particular, have a compelling dynamic tone that oscillates between tenderness and guarded distance. Their performances carry the emotional weight of the story, often elevating scenes that might have otherwise dragged. The supporting characters are equally complex, each with their own tangled backstories and motivations, and the show makes a genuine effort to give them depth beyond just serving the leads’ journey.

Visually, the show is stunning. The cinematography is moody and atmospheric, perfectly matching the melancholic tone of the narrative. Every frame feels intentional, quiet moments are given room to breathe, and emotional climaxes are often paired with striking visual cues that stay with you long after the episode ends.

That said, while Buried Hearts is rich in emotion and character work, it struggles with its narrative structure. The show sometimes feels like it’s more interested in creating twists than in telling a well-paced, cohesive story. Important plot threads are introduced and then set aside for long stretches, only to return later without the momentum they once had. Some character arcs feel rushed, while others are left hanging altogether. It’s not that the story lacks substance, it’s that the way it’s delivered can feel scattered and at times disorienting.

There were moments where I found myself deeply moved, fully immersed in the world and the emotional stakes. But just as often, I felt the pacing stall or shift too abruptly, leaving me unsure of where the story was trying to go next. The drama is there, the performances are there, but the path it takes to its conclusion could’ve been clearer and more thoughtfully constructed.

Despite these issues, Buried Hearts remains a worthwhile watch. It’s emotionally rich, well-acted, and full of moments that hit hard. If you’re drawn to character-driven dramas with a heavy dose of mystery and emotional intensity, there’s plenty here to enjoy. Just don’t expect a perfectly smooth ride, this is a drama that thrives in emotional chaos, and its storytelling sometimes reflects that a little too well.

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Quite Rushed Finale, Do We Have to Wait for S2??

Istg, with the number of ups and downs, twists and turns that this show had, I still don’t know if I liked it or hated it!

At its heart, “Buried Hearts” is a tangled mess of distorted truth, messy relationships and one ruthless man seeking to overpower everyone. Yeom Jang Seon lives and breathes money and power, he has no other motivation, and he is more inclined to die himself than give up on either. Park Hyung Sik’s Seo Dong Ju makes a perfect archrival, they are on par when it comes to being ruthless or unapologetic. While Dong Ju seeks peace, Jang Seon is out for blood; mostly because Dong Ju is the only factor he could never control. And Jang Seon doesn’t like uncontrollable factors, he rather loathes; in every game he plays, endeavors to be the King. This show is a game of chess between these two men who in their own way control powerful dynasties, literally. In between, we are taken on a brief detour to the past where we unravel Dong Ju’s rather complicated memories. Frankly, this show was like a roller coaster ride, you never know what will happen next!

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2025/04/16/buried-hearts-series-review/#more-1738

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NOT A ROMANCE OR REVENGE DRAMA

First, let me be clear: Buried Hearts is a thriller, mystery, and crime drama. It’s not a revenge or romance drama, so stop calling it that 😒! The story is led by DongJu and Yeom, but the real surprise is that DongJu, who survived death eight times. He's like a cat with nine lives 🐈!

What I Loved:
- No romance! That made the show even better for me. I love it when thrillers and mysteries stay focused without adding love stories.
- The acting was amazing, and I liked almost all the characters.
- The plot felt a little fresh, though it did have some typical Kdrama elements.

What Went Wrong:
- The 16 episodes felt too long. Some parts of the story seemed unnecessary, as if they were added just to fill time.
- The story dragged, repeating the same things and having episodes that felt boring with no real action.
- The only good mystery was finding out about DongJu's father, but many people had already guessed it. There wasn’t much else that felt mysterious.
- There were a few exciting scenes, but nothing special.
- Eunnam’s character was dull, and even the housekeepers had more interesting parts.
- Tayeung ended up as “ramen boy” with no depth to his story. It would have been nice to see him have a rivalry with the other guy his age.
- DongJu and Yeom’s fights kept repeating, without anyone really winning.

The Ending:

I enjoyed the drama and everything it brought to the table, so don’t get me wrong. However, I had hoped for deeper exploration of its genres. And let me emphasize again, it’s not a revenge or romance drama! The ending felt overly rushed and lacked a solid storyline. Honestly, if this was the intended conclusion, the show would have been better as a 12-episode series.

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Tense, Gripping, Brilliant

I am absolutely blown away by the start of this drama! I did not go into it expecting much, but wow! The acting is brilliant, the soundtrack is top tier, the story is exciting and tense and expertly written. This drama is looking to be a masterpiece, and I have high hopes! This business politics sort of environment isn't even my thing, but I'm so invested? Literally love how tense and dramatic it is. And can we talk about Park Hyung Sik's hair??? He's literally majestic. That's not even to mention his acting, he is so, so incredibly talented and he's really shining here. I cannot wait to see more, and I really hope the rest of this drama lives up to my now sky high expectations!

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