Park Hyung-sik's 'Treasure Island' Hits Ratings High, While 'Potato Research Institute' Struggles

Park Hyung-sik's drama 'Treasure Island' continues to captivate audiences with its Friday-Saturday broadcasts, achieving its highest ratings yet on the episode aired on the 5th. In contrast, 'Potato Research Institute,' starring Kang Tae-oh in his first role after military service, saw a decline in viewership, recording only 1.2% on the same day, leaving fans disappointed. The two shows have received mixed results.

According to Nielsen Korea on the 6th, the 14th episode of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Treasure Island' recorded a nationwide rating of 14.6% and a metropolitan area rating of 14.5%, setting a new personal best. This impressive figure ranks it as the top show across all channels and weekly miniseries in its time slot. The peak moment reached a staggering 16.1%. Additionally, it topped the 2049 demographic ratings with 3.6%, making it the number one program on Saturday. 'Treasure Island' is on the verge of breaking the '15% barrier' with its skyrocketing ratings.

In the latest episode, Seo Dong-joo, played by Park Hyung-sik, ignites his quest for revenge after witnessing the death of his biological father, Heo Il-do, portrayed by Lee Hae-young. The target of his vengeance is the ultimate villain, Yeom Jang-seon, played by Heo Joon-ho. As the two engage in a fierce showdown, Seo Dong-joo emerges victorious, delivering a thrilling revenge ending.

Seo Dong-joo witnessed Heo Il-do's death, who left him with a plea to take care of his son and Seo Dong-joo's half-brother, Heo Tae-yoon, played by Yoon Sang-hyun. Overcome with despair and anger, Seo Dong-joo sheds tears. He begins to pressure Yeom Jang-seon and Daesan Group Chairman Cha Kang-cheon, played by Woo Hyun, who acted on Yeom Jang-seon's orders.

Seo Dong-joo contacts Elder (Choi Kwang-il) to tighten the noose around Yeom Jang-seon. He retrieves Heo Il-do's ashes from the Daesan family and manipulates Chairman Cha Kang-cheon using the password to Daesan Group's slush fund vault. In response, Yeom Jang-seon tells Seo Dong-joo, "Hurry up and kill me to end your revenge," but Seo Dong-joo remains undeterred, further provoking Yeom Jang-seon's anger.

Seo Dong-joo begins to exploit Yeom Jang-seon's weakness, the 'Dandelion Information.' He meets with a journalist investigating the 'Dandelion Information' and shares his findings on Yeom Jang-seon. However, Yeom Jang-seon is not one to sit idly by. He kidnaps Seo Dong-joo's ally, Bae Won-bae, played by Lee Yoo-jun, using him as leverage to demand the 'Dandelion Information' from Seo Dong-joo.

To rescue Bae Won-bae, Seo Dong-joo confronts Yeom Jang-seon with the 'Dandelion Information.' In a heated confrontation, Yeom Jang-seon burns the documents and accuses Seo Dong-joo of wrongdoing, claiming, "What happened to you is your fault for not complying with my cause. You swallowed the 2 trillion won national love fund and even sacrificed your sister's life." His shamelessness and malice are chilling.

Yeom Jang-seon attempts to push Seo Dong-joo off a building, but a drone appears, and a large screen broadcasts all of Yeom Jang-seon's misdeeds live via the journalist's personal channel. Seo Dong-joo declares, "The burned Dandelion was Plan A, Ma Jae-yeol TV is Plan B," smiling triumphantly as Yeom Jang-seon falls into panic. The 14th episode of 'Treasure Island' concludes with this exhilarating scene.

Lee So-jung, TenAsia Reporter forusojung@tenasia.co.kr