Buried Hearts Episode 14 Review: Dong-ju Successfully Nails his First Revenge

In the previous episode, Yeom and Guho scheme to eliminate Il-do and Dong-ju in one blow, secrets erupt with explosive consequences. Il-do nearly kills his own son before Taehyun’s timely intervention halts the carnage, setting off a chain of events that exposes long-hidden truths. While Il-do grapples with guilt and isolation, Dong-ju struggles with fractured loyalties. Deok-hui learns of Dong-ju’s true identity, but refuses to change. As enemies regroup and chaos brews, a rare father-son moment offers a sliver of peace—until it’s shattered by Yang-chun’s final assault. In a tragic turn, Il-do sacrifices his life to save the son he once tried to destroy, closing his arc with one final act of redemption.

– Contains Spoilers –

Buried Hearts Episode 14 Recap

The episode continues with Dong-ju rushing to Il-do’s side, desperate to save him. In his final moments, Il-do whispers that he wishes to join Gyeong-won and Sun-ho in the afterlife, hoping to beg for their forgiveness. But Dong-ju, overcome with pain and anger, pleads with him not to die—declaring that he will never forgive him if he gives up now. Despite Dong-ju’s emotional plea, Il-do succumbs to his injuries before the ambulance arrives. News of his death spreads swiftly, along with the shocking revelation of his paternal connection to Dong-ju.

At Il-do’s funeral, emotions run high. Yeom arrives to pay his respects, but Dong-ju, seething with grief and fury, refuses him entry. Deok-hui, meanwhile, is consumed by bitterness, upset that Dong-ju—whom she’s always seen as an outsider—has now been recognized as the eldest son. She vents her frustration over Tae-hyun’s future, resenting the shift in power and legacy.

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Later, Dong-ju visits Chairman Cha, who pointedly chose not to attend the funeral. Their meeting is tense. When Dong-ju asks Yeong-su to leave the room, she bristles at being dismissed. Dong-ju confronts the Chairman about his complicity in Yeom’s deadly scheme to eliminate both him and Il-do. Exploiting the Chairman’s fragile mental state and bouts of amnesia, Yeom had manipulated him into agreement. Dong-ju warns the Chairman to wake up to the truth and take responsibility, not just for himself but also for his son, Cha Seo-nu. He even convinces Seo-nu to focus on his education, encouraging him to pursue college so that he might one day lead Daesan with integrity.

In a quieter moment, Eunnam meets Dong-ju, having come to terms with the truth about his identity and connection to Il-do. Their conversation is tender yet tragic, both reflecting on how Il-do’s decisions had left permanent scars on their childhoods. Later, Dong-ju retrieves Il-do’s ashes. Though his father had requested they be scattered at sea—the very spot where he once saved Dong-ju—he cannot bring himself to honor that wish. Still nursing unresolved emotions, he keeps the urn at home, the symbolic weight of forgiveness too heavy to bear.

Meanwhile, Yeom is growing increasingly restless. The control Dong-ju now holds over Daesan’s two trillion won fund and the slush accounts has tipped the scales. In a power move, Dong-ju changes the locker codes, angering both Yeom and the Chairman. He asserts his dominance, making it clear that unless they abandon their destructive plans, he alone will steer Daesan forward.

Behind the scenes, Won-bae works tirelessly to decipher the Dandelion files—crucial evidence that could expose Yeom’s corruption. Dong-ju secretly meets with journalist Ma, entrusting him with the information. However, Guho spots the meeting and alerts Yeom. When Guho later confronts Ma, the journalist feigns ignorance, claiming the files don’t exist. Guho then tracks down Won-bae and abducts him. Under Yeom’s orders, Won-bae is tortured for the files’ location, but he refuses to break.

When Dong-ju learns of Won-bae’s disappearance, he begins a frantic search. A surprising ally steps forward—the administrator Dong-ju once saved, long presumed dead, is alive and willing to help. With his assistance, Dong-ju arranges a meeting with the President and requests a favor. The President contacts Yeom, urging him to release Won-bae in exchange for the files.

A tense exchange is set. Dong-ju meets Yeom and his men on a rooftop, files in hand, ready to save Won-bae. Yeom takes the documents and immediately sets them ablaze, dismissing Dong-ju’s efforts as futile. As tempers flare, Yeom orders Guho to kill Dong-ju. But just as Guho raises his gun, a drone camera buzzes into view.

It’s then revealed that the entire confrontation has been streamed live on Ma’s online channel, watched by thousands across the country. Every corrupt confession, every violent threat—broadcast in real-time. Yeom stands frozen in shock as the truth unfurls before a nation that now sees him for what he truly is. The episode ends in heavy silence, as Yeom’s carefully constructed empire begins to crumble beneath the weight of his exposed sins.

Buried Hearts Episode 14 Review

This episode grips you by the throat and doesn’t let go. From Il-do’s tragic death in Dong-ju’s arms to the explosive rooftop climax, the emotional stakes have never been higher. The sheer weight of betrayal, grief, and fractured legacy echoes in every scene—especially when Dong-ju, torn between justice and unresolved hatred, refuses to honour his father’s dying wish. The show doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable truths, forcing its characters—and us—to confront the messy aftermath of bloodshed, broken trust, and long-buried secrets. Watching Dong-ju wrestle with power, loss, and identity while trying to outmanoeuvre Yeom is both devastating and electrifying.

The final act hits like a sledgehammer. Just when it seems Yeom has the upper hand, the tables are turned in spectacular fashion—with a drone camera and a live stream that blasts his sins across the nation. It’s not just a win for Dong-ju; it’s a seismic shift in the story’s power dynamics. The episode is a masterclass in tension, layering high-stakes political games with raw personal anguish. It leaves you breathless, shaken, and hungry for what comes next—because now that the world knows the truth, there’s no turning back.

Buried Hearts is streaming on JioHotstar.

Also read: All Reviews for Buried Hearts

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