The highly anticipated episode 14 of Buried Hearts premiered on April 5, 2025, exclusively on Disney+. The episode opens with a gripping scene featuring Heo Il-do, who is found lying in a pool of blood. Seo Dong-ju rushes to his side, desperately checking for signs of life. Despite his gravely injured state, Il-do manages to open his eyes and, with his final breath, expresses remorse, intending to apologize daily to three important people in his life: Yeo Sun-oh, Chu Gyeong-won, and his own son, Dong-ju.
Refusing to accept his father’s imminent death, Dong-ju pleads with Il-do to hold on, insisting that he has unfinished business. He attempts to call for emergency assistance, but before any help can arrive, Il-do passes away, leaving Dong-ju devastated.
Meanwhile, at the funeral, Yeom Jang-seon sits in disbelief as he prepares to pay his respects. Dong-ju interrupts, revealing his knowledge of Jang-seon hiring a hitman to kill Il-do. Inside the funeral home, Kang Seong shares condolences with Heo Tae-yun, and mourners gather around to pay tribute, underscoring the weight of the moment.
In a separate location, Cha Deok-hui reveals a shocking truth to Guk-hui and her husband: Dong-ju is actually Il-do’s biological son and the rightful heir to Daesan’s shares. She expresses her belief that supporting Il-do could ultimately benefit Tae-yun’s future. Yet, as she prepares to attend the funeral, Guk-hui considers Dong-ju not only an heir but also a potential threat.
Insights into the Chairman’s Conspiracy
In another pivotal scene, Ji Yeong-su offers a drink mixed with egg yolk to the chairman, who declines. While expressing her condolences for Il-do’s death, she subtly inquires about the future leadership of Daesan Energy. The chairman mentions that Guk-hui has long aspired to succeed Il-do.
At that moment, Dong-ju enters, briefly expressing his condolences, only to dismiss Ji Yeong-su. He then confronts the chairman directly, revealing his awareness of the attempted murder plot against him and his father. Dong-ju warns that he will restore his family’s honor, and in return, he demands assurances of safety for himself and his loved ones, especially Ji Seon-u, whose position in Daesan could be jeopardized.
The chairman, feeling unsettled, recalls Jang-seon’s warning about Dong-ju’s covert tactics to undermine him while maintaining proximity to Seon-u. The tension escalates when Seon-u joins them, announcing his decision to study business and referring to the chairman as “father.” The chairman gives Dong-ju a cold stare as he makes his exit.
Confronting Painful Family Histories
In another emotional moment outside the chairman’s office, Dong-ju finds Yeo Eun-nam waiting patiently. She expresses a desire to accompany him to Il-do’s funeral. Their conversation evokes painful memories, as they acknowledge that Il-do is Dong-ju’s biological father, while also being the murderer of Eun-nam’s father, Yeo Sun-ho.
Ultimately, Dong-ju attends the funeral alone, standing before Il-do’s memorial. He reminisces about their last night together, drinking soju and discussing life. Il-do revealed his wish for his ashes to be scattered at the spot where he once tried to kill Dong-ju, confessing that he had been hanging on, waiting for the day Dong-ju would call him “father.”Fulfilling that poignant wish, Dong-ju takes Il-do’s ashes with him.
Back at Daesan, the chairman confronts Tae-yun about allowing Dong-ju to take the ashes, clearly displeased. He then discusses with Deok-hui and Eun-nam, who both attempt to evade the issue. Ji Yeong-su steps in to diffuse the situation, redirecting focus towards a private conversation he wishes to have with Deok-hui.
In this private discussion, the chairman pressures Deok-hui to support his illegitimate son, strategizing to eliminate Dong-ju from the inheritance discussion. His aspiration is to see Seon-u and Tae-yun steering Daesan together. Although irritated, Deok-hui is swayed when the chairman entices her with the offer of Daesan shares.
Meanwhile, Jang-seon indulges in a meal while being interrupted by a call from The Elder, who expresses hope that the recent deaths of Manager Cho and Il-do are merely coincidental. The subtle threat rattles Jang-seon, highlighting his diminishing control over the situation.
Strategic Moves in the Volt Room
Continuing the drama in the volt room, the chairman struggles to open the safe, unable to remember the password. In frustration, he contacts Dong-ju, who effortlessly gains access to the safe, further infuriating the chairman. When Jang-seon appears, Dong-ju locks himself inside, creating an unexpected cliffhanger.
Later, in the office, Dong-ju presents Jang-seon with the money and gold he had requested. Yet, Jang-seon seizes Dong-ju’s wrist mockingly, questioning the cost of carrying the National Patriotism Fund’s burden alongside Daesan’s illicit finances. Dong-ju defiantly asserts that it feels exhilarating, leading to a heated exchange before he departs.
The Journalist’s Role Unfolds
Outside, a journalist awaits Dong-ju, with whom he had arranged to discuss articles for The Dandelion files. Their meeting concludes in the basement, unbeknownst to them that Cheon Gu-ho, Jang-seon’s associate, is discreetly photographing them from a parked car. This journalist is later recognized as the same journalist who previously visited Jang-seon’s home, establishing an intriguing connection.
Meanwhile, at Jang-seon’s residence, Assemblyman Nam Sang-cheol arrives. Over drinks, Jang-seon offers him gold bars as a bribe, providing him with conditions to manipulate the dynamics between Dong-ju and The Elder. The narrative shifts to Dong-ju, who is seen assisting a medical facility administrator, consequently earning gratitude and owing him a favor.
Following this, Dong-ju meets Bae Won-bae in Myung Tae-geum’s hacking lab, where they discuss uncovering hidden data linked to Jang-seon. Won-bae expresses a desire to see Jang-seon fall from grace, adding another layer of depth to the ongoing intrigues.
In a dramatic twist, Gu-ho discovers the journalist’s patterns, realizing he has started frequenting a particular building. Deciding to follow his instincts, Gu-ho storms in to find Won-bae just as he prepares to enjoy a bowl of ramyeon. The unexpected encounter leads to Gu-ho capturing him and erasing critical files from Tae-geum’s lab. Soon after, Won-bae is taken to a secret location for interrogation by Jang-seon, who seeks to uncover the Dandelion files’ whereabouts.
Saving a Friend Amidst Emerging Threats
As the tension escalates, Tae-geum arrives home only to find her residence ransacked. Alarmed, she calls Dong-ju to inform him about Won-bae’s abduction. In response, Dong-ju enlists the help of the indebted medical administrator, who mobilizes a team to locate Won-bae, but their initial search turns up empty.
Faced with dwindling options, Dong-ju seeks The Elder’s intervention, who contacts Jang-seon to demand Won-bae’s release. Jang-seon dismissively suggests he will manage the situation. Shortly after, Dong-ju receives a photo from Gu-ho showing Won-bae in an alarming state—beaten and restrained. In a fit of anger, Dong-ju proposes a deal: he will trade Dandelion files for Won-bae’s life.
Subsequently, Dong-ju makes his way to the designated meeting spot mentioned by Gu-ho for the exchange. As the transacted files are delivered to a rooftop where Jang-seon awaits, he callously ignites the documents, obliterating the evidence.
The tension reaches a climax as Dong-ju confronts Jang-seon, who arrogantly admits his role in the death of Dong-ju’s sister, shifting the blame to the young man for keeping 2 trillion won in secrets. As the guards prepare to dispose of Dong-ju from the rooftop, a drone suddenly rises, capturing the dramatic moments. This drone, piloted by Tae-geum from a nearby rooftop, broadcasts the confrontation live.
The journalist, who has been monitoring the situation, streams the footage on national television, culminating in the exposure of Jang-seon’s darker secrets—including attempted murder and various criminal activities— to the public.
Anticipation builds as episode 15 of Buried Hearts is set to air on April 11, 2025. While South Korean viewers can catch it every Friday and Saturday at 22:00 KST on SBS TV, international audiences can stream it on Disney+.