 |
| ▲ This composite poster of SBS' Kdrama series "Buried Hearts" is provided by the broadcaster. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, April 22 (Yonhap) -- Director Jin Chang-gyu, who helmed SBS TV drama “Buried Hearts,” which recently concluded to enthusiastic viewer response, said the series’ emotional depth made it stand out among conventional melodramas.
“We even revealed the ‘birth secret,’ so I think we showed everything a melodrama could,” Jin said through SBS on Monday. “But what made the show different was the subtle yet intense emotional detail.”
“Buried Hearts” follows Seo Dong-joo (played by Park Hyung-sik), a man with extraordinary abilities who slowly sharpens the blade of revenge against the forces that try to eliminate him. The series began with a 6.1 percent viewership rating and broke the 10 percent mark by its fourth episode, maintaining double-digit ratings and peaking at 15.4 percent.
“I honestly didn’t expect such popularity,” said Jin. “The story is quite complex and its dark tone isn’t exactly mainstream.”
 |
| ▲ This still photo of SBS' Kdrama series "Buried Hearts" is provided by the broadcaster. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
He credited writer Lee Myung-hee’s storytelling and the cast’s compelling performances for drawing viewers in. While the drama’s premise of a gifted protagonist taking revenge on powerful elites was familiar, the unpredictable twists in the narrative kept audiences engaged.
In the story, Seo Dong-joo, head of external affairs at Daesan Group, fiercely counters the schemes of Daesan’s eldest son-in-law Heo Il-do (Lee Hae-young) and former intelligence agent Yom Jang-seon (Heo Joon-ho), uncovering a hidden truth about his origins in the process.
“Even we were surprised by how each episode unfolded,” Jin said. “So I was certain viewers wouldn’t be able to guess what came next. I think this unpredictability within a familiar revenge-drama structure is what appealed to audiences.”
He added that although the drama followed a conventional narrative framework, the actors’ performances brought individuality and freshness.
 |
| ▲ This still photo of SBS' Kdrama series "Buried Hearts" is provided by the broadcaster. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Jin said his biggest challenge was maintaining the emotional continuity of the characters amid the intricately interwoven plot.
“I worked hard to draw out the emotions hidden in the script and followed the actors' performances as naturally as possible with camerawork and editing,” he said. “I wanted to convey complex moments in a clear and intuitive way.”
Jin wrapped up with a reflection on the story’s message: “It’s about the folly of chasing distant treasures while ignoring what’s right in front of us. It’s a reminder to cherish what we have, and to live with strength while upholding human values.”
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
