Buried Hearts, a gripping South Korean revenge drama, made its debut on February 21, 2025. The series, featuring an impressive cast including Park Hyung-sik, Huh Joon-ho, Lee Hae-young, and Hong Hwa-yeon, revolves around Seo Dong-ju. As a corporate secretary, Dong-ju uncovers a scandal involving a political slush fund, which triggers a harrowing sequence of betrayals and power struggles that threaten his very existence.
The multifaceted characters and unpredictable plot twists of Buried Hearts enchant audiences. For those captivated by the series’ intense emotion and suspense, here are seven additional K-dramas steeped in secrets, vengeance, and fierce power dynamics that are sure to engage viewers.
Note: The following recommendations reflect the author’s personal opinions.
Compelling K-Dramas Similar to Buried Hearts
1) Stranger (2017-2020)
Also known as Forest of Secrets, this captivating crime thriller stars Cho Seung-woo as Hwang Si-mok, a cold yet insightful prosecutor, alongside Bae Doona as the driven detective Han Yeo-jin. The narrative follows Si-mok as he probes a high-profile murder case that unveils systemic corruption within both the prosecution and government ranks.
Much like Buried Hearts, Stranger delves into political intrigues, moral dilemmas, and the quest for justice. Si-mok’s determination to unveil the truth resonates with Dong-ju’s fight against corrupt powers. This series is celebrated for its captivating storytelling and relentless pacing, securing its place as a standout in K-drama history.
Available on: Netflix
2) Vagabond (2019)
In this action-driven suspense tale, Lee Seung-gi stars as Cha Dal-gun, a stuntman whose world shatters following a fateful plane crash involving his nephew. Discovering that the accident was orchestrated, he embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind the conspiracy.
Echoing the themes of Buried Hearts, Vagabond intricately weaves a narrative of corruption that permeates the upper echelons of society. Like Dong-ju, Dal-gun finds himself ensnared in a web of deception, battling formidable foes as he seeks justice. The series is marked by intense action sequences and gut-wrenching emotional stakes.
Available on: Netflix
3) The Devil Judge (2021)
Set against the backdrop of a dystopian South Korea, this series features Ji Sung as the controversial judge, Kang Yo-han, who turns the courtroom into a spectacle while rookie judge Kim Ga-on (Jinyoung) challenges his unorthodox methods. Their conflict reveals deeper conspiracies that expose the systemic corruption of power holders.
With moral ambiguity at its core, The Devil Judge blurs the lines between justice and vengeance, much like Buried Hearts. Yo-han’s journey through morally grey areas resonates with Dong-ju’s struggle against dishonesty, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats with its thrilling narrative.
Available on: Netflix, Viu, iQIYI
4) Signal (2016)
In this unique blend of crime and supernatural elements, Signal features Lee Je-hoon as Park Hae-young, a criminal profiler who uses a mysterious walkie-talkie to communicate with Lee Jae-han (Cho Jin-woong) from the past. Together, they tackle cold cases in an effort to prevent tragedies before they occur.
Much like Buried Hearts, Signal focuses on institutional failures and hidden truths. Its emotional intensity, strong investigative elements, and engaging storytelling culminate in a narrative that captivates viewers from start to finish.
Available on: Netflix
5) Healer (2014-2015)
In Healer, Ji Chang-wook portrays Seo Jung-hoo, a skilled night courier known as “Healer,”who crosses paths with journalist Chae Young-shin (Park Min-young) and star reporter Kim Moon-ho (Yoo Ji-tae). What begins as a seemingly simple task spirals into a reckless fight against a long-standing conspiracy that jeopardizes Jung-hoo’s life.
This drama echoes Buried Hearts by exploring themes of power, secrecy, and retribution. Jung-hoo’s descent into a clandestine realm of corruption, paired with his quest for justice, is reminiscent of Dong-ju’s battle, featuring gripping action sequences and poignant storytelling.
Available on: Viki
6) City Hunter (2011)
Based on a popular Japanese manga, City Hunter features Lee Min-ho as the skilled agent Lee Yoon-sung, who infiltrates the government to exact revenge for his father’s death while navigating a world rife with political corruption. His ally, Kim Na-na (Park Min-young), serves as his guardian in this high-stakes narrative.
Like Buried Hearts, City Hunter showcases the fight for justice against a backdrop of political intrigue and conspiracies, making it an exhilarating choice for those drawn to action, romance, and suspense.
Available on: Not available for online streaming
7) Money Flower (2017-2018)
Money Flower is a revenge-laden melodrama featuring Jang Hyuk as the cunning strategist Kang Pil-joo, who navigates a corrupt corporate landscape, alongside Park Se-young as Na Mo-hyun, a naïve young woman unwittingly entangled in corporate greed. Pil-joo’s secretive past drives him to seek retribution against the powerful Cheong-A Group family.
This drama is rich in themes of power, betrayal, and deceit, mirroring the complexities faced by Dong-ju in Buried Hearts. Pil-joo’s strategic maneuvers and relentless pursuit of revenge serve as compelling reflections of the challenges inherent in seeking justice amidst overwhelming opposition.
Available on: Amazon Prime, Viki
Fans of suspenseful narratives can stream Buried Hearts exclusively on Disney Plus.