The SBS drama 'Buried Hearts,' starring Park Hyung Sik, is gaining strong momentum in viewership ratings as it nears its finale, proving its soaring popularity.
According to the weekly integrated content rankings released by OTT content search platform Kino Lights on April 8 (for the week of March 31–April 6), 'Buried Hearts' ranked No. 1 overall. It topped not only the drama category but also all content across platforms, making it the most talked-about show of the week.
'Buried Hearts' is a revenge thriller centered around Seo Dong Joo, a man who hacks into a political slush fund worth 2 trillion KRW (~1.35 billion USD) and wages war against the absolute evil that drove him to the brink of death. The protagonist risks everything in this battle, and despite its traditional revenge theme, the series captivates viewers with its suspenseful plot and emotional depth.
The 14th episode, which aired on April 5, recorded a nationwide viewership rating of 14.6% (based on Nielsen Korea), setting a new personal best for the drama. It was the No. 1 show across all channels during its time slot and achieved the highest ratings among all miniseries aired that week. The peak viewership moment reached 16.1%. With only two episodes remaining, anticipation for the finale is at an all-time high.
In second place on Kino Lights' weekly ranking was the film 'Lim Young Woong | I'm Hero the Stadium.' The movie showcases Lim Young Woong’s massive 2024 stadium concert, attended by around 100,000 fans. It made history as the first live concert film in Korea to be released in both IMAX and ScreenX formats. Having drawn over 350,000 viewers, it set the record for the highest audience for a concert film and continued its success post-Netflix release, staying in Korea’s “TOP 10 Movies” for eight consecutive weeks.
In third place was KBS’s daily drama 'Cinderella Game,' which tells the story of a woman used as a fake daughter by her enemy, who then sets out on a journey of revenge, growth, and healing. Featuring strong performances from actors like Na Young Hee, Han Groo, Choi Sang, and Ji Soo Won, the drama is attracting increased attention ahead of its final episode on April 25.
Netflix original series 'The 8 Show' ranked fourth this week. The drama follows the life journeys of two characters, rebellious Aesoon and stoic Gwansik, born and raised in Jeju, capturing their stories across the four seasons. It concluded its four-part journey on March 28. The series has been nominated in a record eight categories at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, showcasing both its artistic and popular appeal.
In fifth place was JTBC’s drama 'The Art of Negotiation.' Lead actor Lee Je Hoon made headlines with his striking transformation into a white-haired character, playing a legendary negotiator and M&A expert at a major conglomerate. The 10th episode, which aired on April 6, marked its highest ratings yet, with 9.5% in the Seoul capital area and 8.8% nationwide.
Other top-ranking titles from 6th to 10th included Channel A’s dating show 'Heart Pairing,' Netflix series 'The 8 Show,' MBC variety show 'I Live Alone,' the film 'The Match,' and tvN drama 'The Divorce Insurance.'
Meanwhile, Kino Lights also provides insights into domestic content consumption trends through various OTT trend charts. Based on over 100,000 data points from films, dramas, and variety shows, its rankings serve as a useful indicator of content popularity and competitive dynamics across platforms.
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