Buried Hearts Episode 9 Review: Dong-ju’s Real Identity Might Shatter the Rivals

Buried Hearts Episode 9 Review | Leisurebyte

Director:
Jin Chang-gyu

Date Created:
2025-03-21 18:30

Editor’s Rating:

4

In Buried Hearts Episode 8, tensions escalate as Yeom’s calculated plan to eliminate Dong-ju by exploiting his cinnamon allergy nearly succeeds, throwing the Daesan family into chaos. Dong-ju’s survival, however, foils Yeom’s scheme, leaving him frustrated and pushing Il-do to act decisively. Meanwhile, Eunnam uncovers damning evidence linking Il-do to Sister Agnes’ murder and Yeom’s manipulations, using it to confront Hui-cheol and demand a divorce.

As Yeom shifts his focus to destabilizing the Chairman’s daughter, the Chairman begins to assert his authority, challenging Il-do to prove himself. The episode culminates in a tense hospital confrontation, revealing Dong-ju’s memories were never lost, setting the stage for an all-out war.

– Contains Spoilers –

Buried Hearts Episode 9 Recap

In Buried Hearts Episode 8, the tension reaches new heights as secrets unravel, alliances shift, and the battle for power intensifies. The episode begins with Yeom discussing his sinister plan with Gu-ho to eliminate both Dong-ju and Eun-nam, believing they are working together against him. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Il-do is tasked by Yeom to kill Dong-ju using a lethal injection. However, when Il-do arrives at Dong-ju’s room, he finds his son, Tae-hyun, there. Hiding, Il-do overhears Tae-hyun questioning why he didn’t call 911 when Dong-ju collapsed. Realizing his son suspects something is wrong, Il-do panics and rushes to the restroom, overwhelmed by guilt and fear.

Also read: When Life Gives You Tangerines Episode 12 Review: Endings That Make Way to New Beginnings

After composing himself, Il-do returns to Dong-ju’s room, only to find Dong-ju fighting off Yeom’s enforcer. In a moment of unexpected courage, Il-do injects the attacker with the lethal injection, saving Dong-ju’s life. Dong-ju, now fully alert, interrogates the attacker and learns that Eun-nam is also in danger. He immediately calls her to warn her, and with his guidance, she narrowly escapes an assassination attempt. Dong-ju then subtly threatens Il-do, reminding him of his vulnerability, before leaving the hospital to meet Eun-nam. Meanwhile, Il-do confronts the injured enforcer, who taunts him about losing Yeom’s trust, leading Il-do to slap him in frustration.

Dong-ju and Eun-nam reunite, and he ensures her safety by attacking another assassin sent by Yeom. Using both Il-do’s and the attacker’s phones, Dong-ju calls Yeom, shocking him and Gu-ho. Yeom, realizing his plans are falling apart, grows increasingly frustrated. Dong-ju advises Eun-nam to stay safe, and she devises a plan to protect herself. She visits her husband, Hui-cheol, and tells him that his uncle Yeom wants to see him. This move forces Yeom to pause his plans to kill Eun-nam, as Hui-cheol unexpectedly brings her home.

When Dong-ju arrives at the scene, Gu-ho points a gun at him, but Dong-ju stands fearless. Seeing Gu-ho hesitate, Yeom takes the gun, ready to shoot. However, he receives a call from the President, who orders him to stop. The President reveals that Dong-ju is willing to hand over 2 trillion won if both sides agree to a ceasefire. Yeom reluctantly lowers the gun, and he and Dong-ju engage in a tense, chilling conversation. Dong-ju warns Yeom that he will kill him when the time is right, asserting his growing power and determination.

Meanwhile, the Chairman’s worsening amnesia becomes a major concern. He gets lost in the streets, but luckily, Ji Seo-nu, his illegitimate son (who is unaware of their connection), finds him. Seo-nu, recognizing the Chairman as the old man who often visits his bakery, helps him. The Chairman, relying on his old memories, playfully asks Seo-nu to drive him around until Seo-nu eventually takes him to the police station for assistance.

Back at the Chairman’s house, panic sets in as Deok-hui’s younger sister reveals their father’s deteriorating condition. Deok-hui becomes furious and lashes out, but Secretary Gong intervenes. When the Chairman returns home with Seo-nu, Deok-hui grows paranoid, fearing that Seo-nu could become Daesan’s heir, a position she has always wanted for her son, Tae-hyun. Tae-hyun, who knows Seo-nu as Dong-ju’s friend, mentions this to the family, further complicating matters.

A flashback reveals a crucial detail: Yeom’s wife notices a childhood photo of Dong-ju and remarks that he looks like someone named Seong-hyeon. Yeom, visibly shaken, insists that Dong-ju and Seong-hyeon are just similar-looking children, but his reaction hints at a deeper connection. The mystery of Dong-ju’s true identity deepens, leaving viewers questioning his past and his ties to Daesan. Who is Seong-hyeon, and why was his name changed to Dong-ju? What is his real connection to the Chairman and the Daesan family?

Dong-ju visits the Chairman and promises to bring Seo-nu into the family, which pleases the Chairman. However, Deok-hui, consumed by fear and jealousy, wishes for Dong-ju’s death, knowing his plans threaten her son’s future. The next day, Dong-ju confronts Il-do, announcing his return to the company as Director. He warns Il-do that he knows about his attempted murder and will use this knowledge to bring him down.

The episode ends with Dr. Kang asking her father about a photo of a man holding a child. She learns that the man is Sun-ho, Deok-hui’s ex-husband, who died in a car accident. The photo shows Sun-ho holding Seong-hyeon/Dong-ju, raising even more questions about Dong-ju’s true identity. Is he the Chairman’s secret child with Secretary Gong? Could he be the son of Sun-ho and another woman, making him Eun-nam’s brother? Or is he the son of the Chairman’s late son, whose existence has yet to be revealed?

As the episode closes, viewers are left with a whirlwind of questions, eagerly anticipating the answers in the final three episodes. The stakes are higher than ever, and the battle for power, identity, and survival continues to unfold in Buried Hearts.

Buried Hearts Episode 9 Review

The episode masterfully weaves together multiple storylines, each brimming with tension and intrigue. From Yeom’s ruthless schemes to Dong-ju’s calculated moves, the power struggle within the Daesan family reaches new heights. The revelation of Dong-ju’s mysterious past, hinted at through the name “Seong-hyeon,” adds another layer of complexity to the narrative. Who is Seong-hyeon, and why was his name changed to Dong-ju? The flashback involving Yeom’s wife and the childhood photo sparks curiosity, suggesting a hidden connection to the Chairman and the Daesan legacy.

The Chairman’s deteriorating health and his unexpected bond with Ji Seo-nu add a poignant touch to the story, while also fueling Deok-hui’s paranoia about her son’s future. The introduction of Sun-ho’s photo and the possibility of Dong-ju being his son opens up a Pandora’s box of questions. Could Dong-ju and Eun-nam be siblings? Or is there a deeper, darker secret tied to the Chairman’s past? The episode’s final moments, with Dr. Kang uncovering the photo, leave viewers with a tantalizing cliffhanger.

Buried Hearts is streaming on JioHotstar.

Also read: All Reviews for Buried Hearts

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