'Treasure Island' hacker Park Hyung-Sik, who stole 2 trillion won, died and came back to life.

According to the audience ratings research company Nielsen Korea on March 1, the third episode of the SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Treasure Island' (written by Lee Myung-Hee, directed by Jin Chang-Gyu, produced by Studio S, A2Z Entertainment, Purmir Workshop) aired on February 28, recorded an 8.9% rating in the metropolitan area and an 8.8% nationwide rating, setting a new personal record. This corresponds to 1st place in the same time slot and among Friday-Saturday dramas, with a peak rating soaring to 11.2%. It’s the first instance of breaking into double digits within just three episodes. The 2049 rating also ranked 1st among Friday-Saturday dramas at 2.4%. The fierce box office trend of 'Treasure Island' has begun.

The third episode of 'Treasure Island' captivated viewers with its stormy developments. From the hacking of the 2 trillion won political slush fund to the death and resurrection of Seo Dong-Ju (played by Park Hyung-Sik), the story captures Seo Dong-Ju's crisis along with a grander scale, showcasing the essence of a 'blockbuster revenge drama' with the actors' passionate performances.

That day, Seo Dong-Ju found himself caught in a trap set by Yeom Jang-Seon (played by Heo Jun-Ho) and faced a life-threatening situation. After barely escaping with his life, Seo Dong-Ju chose to confront Yeom Jang-Seon directly. Seo Dong-Ju pleaded on his knees for his life, but Yeom Jang-Seon coldly responded, 'I must kill you.' Judging that it would not be easy to escape from here alive, Seo Dong-Ju declared that he had embezzled 39 billion won from Yeom Jang-Seon's 'national love fund,' i.e., the slush fund, and took a dangerous gamble.

Yeom Jang-Seon, who would do anything for money, bit the bait thrown by Seo Dong-Ju. Seo Dong-Ju used the return of the slush fund as leverage for his safety. While it seemed that everything would end here, it was merely the beginning of Seo Dong-Ju's counterattack. In a situation that could lead to his immediate death, Seo Dong-Ju showed ingenuity by hacking into the account containing Yeom Jang-Seon's political slush fund of 2 trillion won.

After hacking the slush fund account, Seo Dong-Ju leisurely spent his time. He dreamed of proposing to his beloved Yeo Eun-Nam (played by Hong Hwa-Yeon) by renting a yacht. Yeo Eun-Nam, unable to forget Seo Dong-Ju, tried to return to his side. However, due to Yeom Jang-Seon, who sensed this first, Yeo Eun-Nam could not go to Seo Dong-Ju. Seo Dong-Ju waited endlessly for Yeo Eun-Nam, who did not come.

Meanwhile, Yeom Jang-Seon, unaware of Seo Dong-Ju's hacking, instructed Heo Il-Do (played by Lee Hae-Young) to kill Seo Dong-Ju. Heo Il-Do, who had always felt inferior to Seo Dong-Ju, ultimately shot Seo Dong-Ju with a gun given by Yeom Jang-Seon on the sea. Seo Dong-Ju fell into the water, bleeding, while Heo Il-Do felt both guilt and relief as he turned away.

However, an unexpected event occurred for Yeom Jang-Seon and Heo Il-Do. They learned of Seo Dong-Ju's hacking of the 2 trillion won political slush fund account too late. Due to Seo Dong-Ju changing the password, it became impossible to withdraw even 1 won from that account without him. Yeom Jang-Seon felt an unbearable rage. And his eyes glimmered with malice. Yeom Jang-Seon pinned the murder of Seo Dong-Ju and the missing 2 trillion won political slush fund on Heo Il-Do.

Heo Il-Do found himself in a predicament where he could neither act nor refrain from acting. He even hid in the study to open the safe of Cha Gang-Cheon (played by Woo Hyun), the chairman of Daesan Group, but could not find the password. Yeom Jang-Seon increasingly pressured Heo Il-Do, who cried out, 'Seo Dong-Ju, come back to life! Now!' as he shed tears of despair.

At that moment, Seo Dong-Ju opened his eyes. The Seo Dong-Ju that they thought was dead truly resurrected as Heo Il-Do had said. The intense crosscutting of Heo Il-Do's scream and Seo Dong-Ju's resurrection concluded the third episode of 'Treasure Island'. It was a heart-stopping impactful ending. It was the moment when the powerful blockbuster revenge drama began.

'Treasure Island' episode 4 will air today at 9:50 p.m.

[Photo] 'Treasure Island'

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