Lee Hae-young took on the role of 'Heo Il-do,' the ambitious son-in-law of the chairman of Daesan Group and president of Daesan Energy, in the SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Buried Hearts' (written by Lee Myung-hee, directed by Jin Chang-kyu). The 14th episode, aired on the 5th, achieved a new personal best in viewership ratings with 14.6% nationwide and 14.5% in the metropolitan area, according to Nielsen Korea. With only two episodes left, the drama is reaching its climax.
In the recent episode, Heo Il-do was left in utter shock upon discovering that Seo Dong-joo (played by Park Hyung-sik), whom he had repeatedly tried to kill, was actually his biological son. As he aimed a gun at Seo Dong-joo, he received a call from Yeom Jang-sun (played by Heo Joon-ho) and heard Seo Dong-joo call him "father." To make matters worse, he realized that the child he had attempted to kill in the past was also Seo Dong-joo, leaving him devastated.
Following this revelation, Heo Il-do sought to atone for his past actions and embrace his newfound paternal instincts by severing ties with Yeom Jang-sun and trying to connect with Seo Dong-joo. However, just as he was about to have an honest conversation with his son, an assassin sent by Yeom Jang-sun, Jo Yang-chun (played by Kim Ki-moo), attacked them. In a desperate attempt to save his son, Heo Il-do and Jo Yang-chun fell from the second floor together. As he lay dying, Heo Il-do told his son, "Do you believe in the afterlife? I plan to start believing now," vowing to seek forgiveness every day in the afterlife before taking his last breath.
Lee Hae-young's portrayal of Heo Il-do's tragic end was a masterclass in conveying a whirlwind of emotions, enhancing the drama's intensity. He skillfully depicted the disbelief and turmoil of discovering that the person he intended to kill was his own son, blending guilt and paternal love in every scene. His tearful confession and the poignant gaze he cast upon his son before choosing death captivated viewers, leaving them emotionally invested and unable to look away.
As 'Buried Hearts' approaches its climax with Heo Il-do's dramatic demise, the series is set to conclude with its final 16th episode airing on the 12th.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)