‘Treasure Island’ Park Hyung-sik and Heo Jun-ho face off in a pit of desire, raising expectations with the release of a teaser.

The new SBS drama ‘Treasure Island’ (written by Lee Myung-hee/directed by Jin Chang-gyu/produced by Studio S, A2Z Entertainment, Purumir Factory), which will air in February 2025, is the story of a man who hacks a political slush fund account worth 2 trillion won to survive and a shadowy power broker who kills the man without knowing that it was hacked and loses the 2 trillion won. With the news that the two top leads, actors Park Hyung-sik and Heo Jun-ho, who have both acting skills and topicality, have been confirmed, it has risen to the top of the most anticipated dramas of 2025.

In the midst of all this, ‘Treasure Island’ was finally unveiled at the ‘2024 SBS Drama Awards’ on December 21. ‘Treasure Island’ was more intense, more deadly, and more captivating than expected. At the center of it all were two actors: Park Hyung-sik (Seo Dong-joo), who transformed into an incarnation of revenge, and Heo Jun-ho (Yeom Jang-seon), who returned as an overwhelming villain.

The released ‘Treasure Island’ teaser video begins with Park Hyung-sik softly humming, “Wait. I‘ll give it all back”. Park Hyung-sik then says, “Seo Dong-joo, dream big in Daesan, an uninhabited mountain”, revealing Seo Dong-joo’s detailed and fiery ambition for Daesan in the drama. Park Hyung-sik‘s acting is impressive, expressing the character’s desires with just his eyes, facial expressions, and tone of voice without showing much emotion.



However, we can see that Seo Dong-joo‘s plans and desires will not be easily achieved. Several characters, including Lee Hae-young (as Heo Il-do), Kim Jung-nan (as Cha Deok-hee), and Hong Soo-hyun (as Cha Gook-hee), engage in a fierce power struggle over him. In the end, Park Hyung-sik is captured covered in blood as if he is in danger, raising curiosity.

At this time, Heo Jun-ho, another man who Park Hyung-sik will face in the pit of desire, appears on screen. Heo Jun-ho vents his anger at Park Hyung-sik, saying, “There’s 2 trillion won of my money in your head.” Unlike his white hair and elegant attire, Heo Jun-ho‘s inability to control his emotions in front of money elicits exclamations of “Heo Jun-ho, as expected!”

The full-scale confrontation between Park Hyung-sik and Heo Jun-ho is then hinted at, stimulating curiosity. Park Hyung-sik aims a gun at his own head, while Heo Jun-ho subdues his opponent with a chilling gaze. The strong copy, “In February 2025, the desire for a gigantic treasure island unfolds,” is added to this, foreshadowing a development that will sweep over you like a storm. Above all, expectations are high for how powerful the synergy will explode when the two actors, who dominate every scene, are captured on one screen.

The teaser video for “Treasure Island” is only about 60 seconds long, but it impactfully captures the drastic transformations and passionate acting of Park Hyung-sik and Heo Jun-ho. In addition, it stimulated curiosity about the story by showing the various characters running towards their ‘desire’ through actors such as Hong Hwa-yeon (as Yeo Eun-nam), Lee Hae-young, and Kim Jung-nan. ‘Treasure Island’, which is predicted to be the most deadly and captivating drama of 2025, is both curious and anticipated.

SBS’s new drama ‘Treasure Island’ will first air in February 2025.

Choi Yoon-na, Donga.com reporter yyynnn@donga.com