The highly anticipated finale of Buried Hearts premiered on Disney+ on April 12, 2025, featuring its 16th episode. This concluding chapter highlighted Seo Dong-ju’s (portrayed by Park Hyung-Sik) strategic success while leaving numerous questions unanswered, which opens the door for a potential season 2.
The episode commences with Dong-ju awakening abruptly from a chilling nightmare in which Yeom Jang-seon shoots him. Despite realizing it was just a dream, he remains on edge, tightly gripping a pistol.
Heo Il-do enters, insisting that Dong-ju dispose of the firearms hidden under his bed, a stash that nearly cost him his life. Shortly after, Dong-ju is seen at a nearby burger restaurant picking up food for the chairman’s office.
Meanwhile, Cheon Gu-ho, Jang-seon’s right-hand man, surveys him from a distance while seated in his car. Inside the office, the Chae Gang-cheon chairman shares a meal with Dong-ju and Choi Gi-hyeon, discussing the upcoming official appointment.
Seo Dong-ju’s Appointment and the Jang-seon Question
The discussion reveals that Jang-seon is expected to attend Dong-ju’s formal appointment, but Choi quickly points out that Jang-seon has been silent for weeks. Rumors suggest that he may have been taken care of by rivals due to his increasing number of enemies.
Simultaneously, Cha Geok-hui and Ji Yeong-su speculate about Jang-seon’s prolonged absence. Geok-hui suspects Jang-seon is strategically distancing himself from Yeong-su to endorse Dong-ju and elevate Heo Tae-yun’s position. Yeong-su, however, firmly believes that regardless of Jang-seon’s maneuvers, she and her son will eventually hold the majority stake.
As events unfold, Yeo Eun-nam (played by Hong Hwa-yeon) arrives, receiving congratulations for her inclusion on the board of directors. Dong-ju’s appointment ceremony soon follows, where he expresses gratitude to the stakeholders for their trust in him.
In a surprising turn, Dong-ju announces plans to merge Daesan Chemical with Daesan Energy, rebranding the entity as Daesan E&C. This revelation incites confrontation from Geok-hui, who reprimands Dong-ju for publicly disclosing the merger without her knowledge.
A chance encounter between Dong-ju and Eun-nam leads to an intriguing dialogue in which Eun-nam hints she believes Dong-ju may have a hand in Jang-seon’s disappearance. Defending her perspective, she embraces him amidst growing tensions.
Exploring Hidden Secrets and Power Plays
Later, the chairman shares a moment of quiet contemplation with Yeong-su, who expresses disappointment over Dong-ju’s appointment instead of Geok-hui. However, the chairman respectfully counters her viewpoint, remarking that Geok-hui lacks the acuity for the demanding role.
Dong-ju soon joins them, receiving warm congratulations from Yeong-su, who expresses her eagerness to learn from him. Ji Seon-u then appears, extending his congratulations before inquiring about the rumored secret vault, to which the chairman urges Dong-ju to grant Seon-u limited access.
As they reach the vault’s entrance, Dong-ju halts Seon-u, entering alone. Inside, he discovers a package with a burger logo and shifts it deeper into the vault. Outside, Seon-u queries the chairman about earning trust for the vault’s access code, to which the chairman responds that this will come with proof of Seon-u’s readiness.
On the rooftop, a poignant conversation ensues between Tae-yun and Eun-nam, where she confesses her complicated history with their family dynamics and her initial desire to eliminate him due to perceived favoritism. Reflecting on past misunderstandings, she expresses her regrets about childhood accusations.
As their exchange ends, an unexpected shove from Seon-u rattles Tae-yun, breaking the tense atmosphere with playful teasing.
Meanwhile, Dong-ju and Bae Won-bae are within a law firm, gearing up to file a lawsuit against Jang-seon for past misconduct. Their moment is unexpectedly interrupted by Yeom Hui-cheol, who—unknown to Won-bae—is Jang-seon’s nephew. A charged exchange between Hui-cheol and Dong-ju unfolds.
Later, Dong-ju and Eun-nam return to the chairman’s office, only to find out that he is absent. Dong-ju proposes they follow him, leading to a chase that culminates at a bakery—the same one where Yeong-su previously worked. The chairman reluctantly acknowledges their presence and hands Dong-ju the car keys, tasking him with the driving duties.
The Unraveling Mystery of Yeom Jang-seon
In the meantime, Gu-ho continues to monitor Dong-ju closely, as news anchors discuss Jang-seon’s year-long disappearance without a trace. Meanwhile, Jang-seon’s wife, Seong Bo-yeon, hands Gu-ho retirement papers, signaling her desire for him to step away from the chaos.
Dong-ju makes a visit to Jang-seon’s residence, where memories surface, leading to heartfelt reflections alongside Bo-yeon about their intertwined histories. She enjoins him to carry the deep love of his mother forward, a sentiment that weighs heavily on Dong-ju.
Revelations and Unresolved Questions
Unexpectedly, in a shocking twist, the audience discovers Jang-seon, with white hair and bound, trapped within the secret vault, eating a burger. Dong-ju’s arrival reveals the depth of his betrayal, as he admits to locking Jang-seon away, motivated by revenge.
In a tense standoff, Jang-seon questions Dong-ju’s true intentions, leading to a declaration of desire to claim all of Jang-seon’s possessions. Jang-seon’s refusal compels Dong-ju to walk away, highlighting the fraught dynamics of their relationship.
As Dong-ju exits, Jang-seon pleads for mercy—yearning to die within his own home. At The Elder’s estate, Dong-ju confronts him regarding a fortune of two trillion won, armed with evidence of The Elder’s corrupt activities that could expose him.
Back at the vault, Jang-seon’s moment of opportunity arises when he finds the door ajar and escapes, only to learn that Dong-ju had already secured his dominance by ensuring Jang-seon signed over his assets before fleeing.
The episode transitions to a family dinner hosted by the chairman, a moment of levity overshadowed by his ongoing struggle with dementia. For the first time, he accurately recognizes everyone at the table, hinting at hope.
In separate, poignant discussions, Deok-hui implores Tae-yun to reconsider leaving the family business, while Tae-yun expresses a yearning for a fresh start far from the complications of Daesan.
Setting the Stage for Season 2
As Buried Hearts reaches its concluding moments, the chairman’s lighthearted banter with Dong-ju carries an air of nostalgia as he inquires about a lollipop, serving as a metaphor for childhood innocence amidst the chaos of adult life.
In a significant gesture, Dong-ju entrusts Eun-nam with the vault’s access code, expressing his confidence in her to lead Daesan into the future. Surprised by his decision to part from Daesan, Eun-nam offers one last ride, signaling her reluctance to let go.
The series closes with a lighthearted scene of Tae-yun and Seon-u sharing coffee, only for Seon-u to suddenly shove Tae-yun dangerously close to the edge of the rooftop. Meanwhile, Dong-ju embarks on a boat journey, carrying Il-do’s ashes as he heads towards the site of a pivotal moment in their shared past.
In a climactic final scene, Jang-seon is shown handcuffed and being taken away by the police, leaving viewers with unresolved mysteries and a tantalizing invitation for a second season. The finale leaves open multiple narrative arcs, ensuring audiences are left eager for the continuing saga of Buried Hearts.
Fans can catch all episodes of Buried Hearts streaming on Disney+.