Updated review of Buried Hearts♡
I started Buried Hearts with high hopes, mainly because Park Hyung-sik (Seo Dong-ju) was leading it. After seeing him as a regular guy bright and bubbly in his last k- drama Dr. Slump, I was excited to watch him transform into a darker, more intense character after Happiness kdrama and this revenge thriller plot was a perfect opportunity for me From the very beginning, the drama gave off gripping, moody vibes with keywords like revenge, hacking, and power all the things I love in a K-drama. Naturally, I jumped in with huge expectations.And honestly? It did fulfilled them but not BEYOND expectations, but it definitely delivered on what it promised. The plot kept me engaged, the twists kept coming, and the tension never let up.
A Dark, Addictive Ride Through Power and Emotion
Set within the powerful Daesan Group, Buried Hearts follows Seo Dong-ju, an intelligent and highly ambitious man working as the head of Public Affairs. On the surface, he appears loyal, but beneath lies a man calculating every move to climb to the top. His world is shaken when he meets Yeo Eun-nam (Hong Hwa-yeon), the granddaughter of Daesan’s chairman, who is on her own mission to uncover the truth behind her father’s mysterious death.
The drama masterfully blends elements of corporate warfare, mystery, revenge, and emotional trauma. While many shows deal with similar themes, Buried Hearts manages to weave them into a story that feels layered with psychological conflict, power plays, and unspoken tension.
Park Hyung-sik at His Absolute Best
Park Hyung-sik’s performance in this drama is arguably one of his best. He completely sheds his soft image from previous roles and steps into a colder, calculating persona with incredible ease. Every silent stare, tight-lipped smirk, and flicker of emotion added to his mysterious edge. His visuals? Just wow. His hairstyle alone deserves an award it’s slick, perfectly styled, and adds to his brooding intensity. The way he carries his suits, posture, and presence makes him magnetic on screen.
His transformation is so impressive that you can’t help but stay glued to the screen he’s truly the soul of this show. [while watching this i came across a lot of comments , reviews, videos anout how people didn’t enjoy this drama infact this is not their type of drama but still watched only for him] Honestly that says a lot about his performance right now he is the highest paid actor in south korea surpassing KSH. His portrayal of character is compelling and that draws people in
Trio of Power: The Male Leads Steal the Show
The backbone of this drama lies in its three strongest characters—Park Hyung-sik (Seo Dong-ju), Heo Joon-ho (Yeom Jang-seon), and Lee Hae-young (Heo Il-do). That promo poster with all three standing together is spot-on—it perfectly encapsulates the power struggle and dynamics of the series.
Heo Joon-ho, at 61, still has such incredible command over his performance. His character is despicable, ruthless, and manipulative and he plays it so convincingly, it’s hard not to hate him. Lee Hae-young, on the other hand, is calm and calculated. His presence is intense in a quiet way, and his performance brings a steady force to the storyline.
A Female Lead with Limited Impact
While the male leads were the pillars, the female lead didn’t hold as much narrative weight. Her performance was decent, and I don’t mean that negatively. The character itself didn’t demand much range or screen time, so casting a top-tier actress would’ve felt like a mismatch. For this role, the chosen actress was perfectly apt. She suited the story’s needs and did justice to the character.
If I had to compare, her vibe reminded me of the female lead in The Impossible Heir. Acting-wise too, both had a similar subdued approach but honestly, I liked the female lead in Buried Hearts more than Hong Suzu. She felt more fitting and delivered a stronger emotional connection.
Stunning Styling and Visual Execution
The costume and styling department deserves a standing ovation. Every outfit was crisp, classy, and perfectly matched each character’s aura. From Seo Dong-ju’s tailored suits to the subtle elegance in secondary characters’ clothing, it added so much to the drama’s elite and intense vibe.
Cinematically, Buried Hearts is beautifully shot. The dark palettes, moody lighting, and clean framing amplify the emotions and the corporate coldness the show revolves around. The soundtrack complements this perfectly subtle yet haunting, with tracks that linger in your mind.
Romance is just a sub-plot
This isn’t your typical love story. The romance in Buried Hearts is slow-burning, complicated, and built on tension rather than tenderness. The chemistry between the leads is intriguing, not passionate driven more by uncertainty, hidden intentions, and occasional vulnerability. It’s not your classic K-drama swoon-fest, but it works in the context of this revenge-driven world.
The Ending & Final Thoughts
The final episode left me feeling... neutral. Not particularly happy, not especially sad it just wrapped things up quietly. The resolution wasn’t overly dramatic, which might work for some and not for others. But I must mention one standout moment: Yeom Jang-seon’s wife’s performance in the last episode was surprisingly emotional and heartwarming. It was a subtle yet touching way to close the story.
If You’re Considering Watching This…
Don’t go into it with towering expectations. Buried Hearts won’t exceed them. But if you manage your expectations, it won’t disappoint either. It’s a well-acted, well-produced drama that delivers solid storytelling, gripping performances, and an atmosphere that keeps you on edge.
If you enjoy thrillers that involve power games, psychological tension, and morally grey characters—this is your kind of drama.
To Sum It Up:
Buried Hearts is a dark, layered revenge drama with excellent performances—especially from the male leads.
The styling and cinematography are top-notch and add to the overall experience.
Don’t expect a grand, emotional payoff at the end but appreciate it for what it is: a subtle, intense ride.
It’s not flawless, but it’s compelling and definitely worth your time.
💜Note:- All the points I've mentioned above are completely based on my opinion. You don’t have to agree with me; everyone has their own preferences. Some people may not like it, and some might, and that’s okay. No one should feel offended by this 🤍
A Dark, Addictive Ride Through Power and Emotion
Set within the powerful Daesan Group, Buried Hearts follows Seo Dong-ju, an intelligent and highly ambitious man working as the head of Public Affairs. On the surface, he appears loyal, but beneath lies a man calculating every move to climb to the top. His world is shaken when he meets Yeo Eun-nam (Hong Hwa-yeon), the granddaughter of Daesan’s chairman, who is on her own mission to uncover the truth behind her father’s mysterious death.
The drama masterfully blends elements of corporate warfare, mystery, revenge, and emotional trauma. While many shows deal with similar themes, Buried Hearts manages to weave them into a story that feels layered with psychological conflict, power plays, and unspoken tension.
Park Hyung-sik at His Absolute Best
Park Hyung-sik’s performance in this drama is arguably one of his best. He completely sheds his soft image from previous roles and steps into a colder, calculating persona with incredible ease. Every silent stare, tight-lipped smirk, and flicker of emotion added to his mysterious edge. His visuals? Just wow. His hairstyle alone deserves an award it’s slick, perfectly styled, and adds to his brooding intensity. The way he carries his suits, posture, and presence makes him magnetic on screen.
His transformation is so impressive that you can’t help but stay glued to the screen he’s truly the soul of this show. [while watching this i came across a lot of comments , reviews, videos anout how people didn’t enjoy this drama infact this is not their type of drama but still watched only for him] Honestly that says a lot about his performance right now he is the highest paid actor in south korea surpassing KSH. His portrayal of character is compelling and that draws people in
Trio of Power: The Male Leads Steal the Show
The backbone of this drama lies in its three strongest characters—Park Hyung-sik (Seo Dong-ju), Heo Joon-ho (Yeom Jang-seon), and Lee Hae-young (Heo Il-do). That promo poster with all three standing together is spot-on—it perfectly encapsulates the power struggle and dynamics of the series.
Heo Joon-ho, at 61, still has such incredible command over his performance. His character is despicable, ruthless, and manipulative and he plays it so convincingly, it’s hard not to hate him. Lee Hae-young, on the other hand, is calm and calculated. His presence is intense in a quiet way, and his performance brings a steady force to the storyline.
A Female Lead with Limited Impact
While the male leads were the pillars, the female lead didn’t hold as much narrative weight. Her performance was decent, and I don’t mean that negatively. The character itself didn’t demand much range or screen time, so casting a top-tier actress would’ve felt like a mismatch. For this role, the chosen actress was perfectly apt. She suited the story’s needs and did justice to the character.
If I had to compare, her vibe reminded me of the female lead in The Impossible Heir. Acting-wise too, both had a similar subdued approach but honestly, I liked the female lead in Buried Hearts more than Hong Suzu. She felt more fitting and delivered a stronger emotional connection.
Stunning Styling and Visual Execution
The costume and styling department deserves a standing ovation. Every outfit was crisp, classy, and perfectly matched each character’s aura. From Seo Dong-ju’s tailored suits to the subtle elegance in secondary characters’ clothing, it added so much to the drama’s elite and intense vibe.
Cinematically, Buried Hearts is beautifully shot. The dark palettes, moody lighting, and clean framing amplify the emotions and the corporate coldness the show revolves around. The soundtrack complements this perfectly subtle yet haunting, with tracks that linger in your mind.
Romance is just a sub-plot
This isn’t your typical love story. The romance in Buried Hearts is slow-burning, complicated, and built on tension rather than tenderness. The chemistry between the leads is intriguing, not passionate driven more by uncertainty, hidden intentions, and occasional vulnerability. It’s not your classic K-drama swoon-fest, but it works in the context of this revenge-driven world.
The Ending & Final Thoughts
The final episode left me feeling... neutral. Not particularly happy, not especially sad it just wrapped things up quietly. The resolution wasn’t overly dramatic, which might work for some and not for others. But I must mention one standout moment: Yeom Jang-seon’s wife’s performance in the last episode was surprisingly emotional and heartwarming. It was a subtle yet touching way to close the story.
If You’re Considering Watching This…
Don’t go into it with towering expectations. Buried Hearts won’t exceed them. But if you manage your expectations, it won’t disappoint either. It’s a well-acted, well-produced drama that delivers solid storytelling, gripping performances, and an atmosphere that keeps you on edge.
If you enjoy thrillers that involve power games, psychological tension, and morally grey characters—this is your kind of drama.
To Sum It Up:
Buried Hearts is a dark, layered revenge drama with excellent performances—especially from the male leads.
The styling and cinematography are top-notch and add to the overall experience.
Don’t expect a grand, emotional payoff at the end but appreciate it for what it is: a subtle, intense ride.
It’s not flawless, but it’s compelling and definitely worth your time.
💜Note:- All the points I've mentioned above are completely based on my opinion. You don’t have to agree with me; everyone has their own preferences. Some people may not like it, and some might, and that’s okay. No one should feel offended by this 🤍
Was this review helpful to you?
