Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Buried Hearts, which premiered on Disney+ and has K-drama fans completely hooked on this intense corporate revenge thriller that dives deep into the dark world of political corruption.
Buried Hearts aired on SBS TV from February 21 to April 12, 2025, and is also available for streaming on Disney+ in selected regions. This South Korean revenge drama stars Park Hyung-sik, Huh Joon-ho, Lee Hae-young, and Hong Hwa-yeon in a gripping story about political slush funds, corporate espionage, and deadly betrayal. Written by Lee Myung-hee and directed by Jin Chang-gyu, the series follows the intertwined fates of two men whose lives become entangled through a massive two trillion won political slush fund. What makes this series compelling is how it explores the lengths people will go to for survival, revenge, and power in the corrupt world of corporate politics.
The story centers around Seo Dong-ju, a secretive corporate secretary who successfully hacks into a two trillion won political slush fund, only to have his world turned upside down when an elite figure kills him for the money. Buried Hearts creates a tense atmosphere where ambition, betrayal, and survival instincts drive every character to make increasingly desperate choices. It’s a thriller that questions whether anyone can truly escape the consequences of their actions when dealing with corruption on this massive scale.
Park Hyung-sik’s Intense Performance as Seo Dong-ju
Park Hyung-sik delivers a powerhouse performance as Seo Dong-ju, the ambitious corporate secretary whose hack of a political slush fund sets the entire deadly chain of events in motion. Dong-ju represents the modern corporate climber who believes he can outsmart the system, only to discover that playing with political corruption comes with deadly consequences he never anticipated.
Hyung-sik’s portrayal shows Dong-ju as someone walking a dangerous tightrope between his secretive professional life and personal relationships, creating a character who’s both sympathetic and morally complex. His performance captures the desperation of someone who realizes too late that he’s gotten involved in something far more dangerous than corporate espionage, making every scene filled with tension and unpredictability.
The Elite Figure: Power and Deadly Consequences
Huh Joon-ho stars as the elite figure whose pursuit of the slush fund leads to murder and chaos when he discovers the money has vanished. This character represents the ruthless nature of those at the top of the political and corporate food chain, people who will eliminate anyone who threatens their access to power and wealth.
The dynamic between Joon-ho’s character and Park Hyung-sik creates the central tension that drives Buried Hearts, as their cat-and-mouse game escalates into something far more deadly than either initially anticipated. The supporting performances from Lee Hae-young and Hong Hwa-yeon add layers to this web of corruption, showing how many people become entangled in the pursuit of the missing funds.
When Money Disappears: The Hunt for Two Trillion Won
The series’ most compelling storyline revolves around the mystery of the vanishing slush fund and how its disappearance triggers a deadly chain reaction among everyone involved. This central mystery elevates Buried Hearts beyond typical corporate drama territory, creating a thriller where every character becomes both hunter and hunted in the search for the missing money.
The empty fund discovery serves as the catalyst that reveals the true motives behind the slush fund’s creation, forcing all characters to confront the reality that they’ve become vulnerable in ways they never imagined. The series builds toward revelations that show how political corruption creates a web where no one is truly safe from betrayal.
Success on Disney+ and SBS
Buried Hearts achieved impressive ratings during its SBS broadcast run, with the series consistently receiving high Friday night ratings including a peak of 10.9 percent. Critics have described the show as an ambitious corporate revenge thriller, though some noted that its complex plot with multiple twists can become confusing. The series has been praised for Park Hyung-sik’s compelling performance and its unflinching look at political corruption, while also being available for international audiences through Disney+ streaming.
Perfect for Corporate Thriller Enthusiasts
If you love intense corporate dramas that explore political corruption and revenge, Buried Hearts is the perfect series to binge on Disney+. The show delivers everything you want from a Korean thriller – complex characters, high-stakes plotting, and a story that doesn’t shy away from showing the deadly consequences of greed and ambition.
Why This Thriller Demands Your Attention
Buried Hearts succeeds because it understands that the most dangerous games are played in boardrooms and political back rooms, where trillion-won slush funds can destroy lives and expose the corruption that runs through every level of power. The series offers a gripping exploration of how far people will go when survival and revenge become their only options, making it essential viewing for anyone who appreciates smart, character-driven thrillers that don’t pull punches.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 16
Platform: Disney+ (also aired on SBS TV)
Release Year: 2025
Current IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Corporate Thriller
Status: Complete series (Available for streaming)
Protagonists: Park Hyung-sik (Seo Dong-ju), Huh Joon-ho (Elite Figure)
Antagonist: The corrupt political and corporate system (systemic antagonist)