‘Treasure Island’ The destructive combination of Park Hyung-sik and Heo Jun-ho moved the hearts of viewers.

On February 21, SBS‘s new Friday-Saturday drama ‘Treasure Island’ (written by Lee Myung-hee/directed by Jin Chang-gyu/produced by Studio S, A2Z Entertainment, Purumir Factory) first aired. The first episode of ‘Treasure Island’ recorded viewership ratings of 6.1% nationwide and 6% in the metropolitan area according to Nielsen Korea, taking first place among Friday miniseries and dramas in the same time slot. The peak viewership rating rose to 8.2%. With two new dramas premiering simultaneously and clashing over viewer ratings, ‘Treasure Island’ is off to a good start by taking first place.

‘Treasure Island’ garnered attention even before its broadcast for its groundbreaking transformation of Park Hyung-sik (as Seo Dong-joo), the villainous presence of Heo Jun-ho (as Yeom Jang-seon), a story that vividly portrays human desire, and powerful directing. The unveiled ‘Treasure Island’ perfectly lived up to the high expectations, sweeping ahead like a storm.

The first episode of ‘Treasure Island’ began with a man floating on the sea, unconscious. A shiny watch was on the man’s arm. The screen then switched to the National Assembly, where a hearing on energy projects was being held. While Daesan Energy CEO Heo Il-do (played by Lee Hae-young) appeared as a witness, behind him, Seo Dong-joo, wearing a watch from the first screen, was conveying the situation of the hearing to Yeom Jang-seon, the real power behind him, with a meaningful expression.

Yeom Jang-seon only controlled the hearing with messages. After a while, the hearing flowed in a direction favorable to Daesan Energy and was eventually adjourned. This was thanks to Seo Dong-joo‘s advance measures taken a few days ago when he visited the National Assembly member. Seo Dong-joo, who possessed great influence and intelligence to the point of even manipulating powerful National Assembly members, fiercely clashed with them in order to one day take control of Daesan Group.



However, Seo Dong-joo was not a member of Daesan Group’s bloodline, so he was limited. No matter how much Chairman Cha Kang-cheon (played by Woo Hyun) trusted Seo Dong-joo, Cha Kang-cheon‘s children ignored and kept Seo Dong-joo in check. In particular, Cha Kang-cheon’s son-in-law, Heo Il-do, was especially wary of Seo Dong-ju, fearing that he might be pushed aside. The tense war of nerves and psychological battle between the two men trying to stand a little further ahead created tension.

However, Seo Dong-ju chose his own ability over becoming a family with Chairman Cha Kang-cheon in order to take control of Daesan Group. Instead of meeting Chairman Cha Kang-cheon‘s granddaughter, who was hidden behind a veil, he chose Yeo Eun-nam (Hong Hwa-yeon), a woman he met as if by fate. Seo Dong-ju, who was confident that he could do well in both work and love, dreamed of a happy marriage with Yeo Eun-nam.

However, Seo Dong-ju’s confidence and ambition collapsed in an instant. When he woke up, Seo Dong-ju felt puzzled that Yeo Eun-nam, with whom he had spent a passionate night, had disappeared. However, he hurriedly left the house to prepare for the wedding of Chairman Cha Kang-cheon‘s granddaughter. And Seo Dong-ju, who arrived at the wedding hall, found out that the person who would become Chairman Cha Kang-cheon’s grandson-in-law was Yeom Jang-seon‘s nephew and prosecutor Yeom Hee-chul (played by Kwon Soo-hyun), who had a bad relationship with him during his school days.

The wedding finally began. Seo Dong-ju was shocked. The bride who entered the wedding hall, the granddaughter of Chairman Cha Kang-cheon and the niece-in-law of the secret power Yeom Jang-seon, was none other than Yeo Eun-nam, whom he loved. Yeo Eun-nam froze when she saw Seo Dong-ju’s face. However, she soon held her stepfather Heo Il-do‘s hand and entered the virgin road. The first episode of ‘Treasure Island’ ended with Seo Dong-ju desperately screaming out of betrayal.

The first episode of ‘Treasure Island’ captivated viewers with a story that swept through the air like a storm. The characters’ fierce pursuit of their own desires was surprisingly explicit, while also providing a powerful tension that took your breath away. In particular, Park Hyung-sik‘s transformation into an ambitious man, radiating masculine yet mature charm, was powerful. Heo Jun-ho’s villainous presence, which caused goosebumps at every moment even though he had not yet revealed his true colors, was also powerful. The sensational directing that completed all of this with high immersion was also impressive.

The first episode was a perfect match of script, directing, and acting. On top of that, it showed an ending that made people crazy curious about the next episode. Attention is being paid to what kind of story ‘Treasure Island’, which has been so special since the first episode, will tell in the second episode. The second episode of SBS‘s new Friday-Saturday drama ‘Treasure Island’ will air tonight, Saturday, February 22nd at 9:50 PM.

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

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.