'Treasure Island' is a deadly ending hotspot.
SBS's Friday-Saturday drama 'Treasure Island' (written by Lee Myung-hee, directed by Jin Chang-gyu) is a full-bet revenge drama where Seo Dong-joo (Park Hyung-sik) fights with everything he has to defeat an absolute evil that killed him and to destroy that world, hacking a political slush fund of 2 trillion won. Since its premiere on Feb. 21, it has taken the top spot in Friday-Saturday drama viewership ratings and is currently on a roll, breaking its own highest ratings record for 4 consecutive episodes.
There are many reasons why viewers are enthusiastic about 'Treasure Island.' The destructive combination of Park Hyung-sik and Heo Joon-ho (Yeom Jang-seon), storytelling that vividly depicts human desire, and bold directing that elevates immersion, among others. However, the most indispensable element is the deadly ending that makes it unbearable not to watch the next episode after viewing one. At this point, let's revisit why 'Treasure Island' is considered a drama hotspot for endings.
◆ Episode 1 – Park Hyung-sik, backstabbed by his lover Hong Hwa-yeon! 'Scream ending'
In Episode 1 of 'Treasure Island,' Seo Dong-joo was an ambitious man confident in handling both love and work. He received the trust of Cha Kang-cheon (Oh Hyun), the chairman of Daesan Group, and dreamed of a happy future with his lover Ye Eun-nam (Hong Hwa-yeon). However, the day after spending a sweet night with Ye Eun-nam, Seo Dong-joo was shocked when he attended Cha Kang-cheon's granddaughter's wedding. The bride walking down the virgin road was Ye Eun-nam. Ye Eun-nam, Cha Kang-cheon's granddaughter, had entered into a political marriage with Yeom Hee-cheol (Kwon Soo-hyun), the nephew of the influential Yeom Jang-seon. Seo Dong-joo, overcome with betrayal, decorated the ending of Episode 1 with his agonizing scream.
◆ Episode 2 – Park Hyung-sik faces a death crisis due to the villain Heo Joon-ho! 'Ambush ending'
In Episode 2 of 'Treasure Island,' Yeom Jang-seon attempted to oust Seo Dong-joo from Daesan Group. He did this because Seo Dong-joo knew the secret regarding the 'National Love Fund,' meaning the formation of a political slush fund of 2 trillion won, and because he was in a romantic relationship with his nephew Ye Eun-nam. However, Seo Dong-joo had no intention of leaving Daesan Group. Ultimately, Yeom Jang-seon decided to eliminate Seo Dong-joo. Attacked by an unidentified man, Seo Dong-joo heard the voice of Yeom Jang-seon's subordinate Cheon Gu-ho (Joo Yeon-woo) through the man's cellphone. This was a powerful indication of the imminent confrontation between Seo Dong-joo and Yeom Jang-seon, marking the dramatic ending of Episode 2.
◆ Episode 3 – Park Hyung-sik, who hacked 2 trillion won, died and came back to life! 'Resurrection ending'
In Episode 3 of 'Treasure Island,' Seo Dong-joo, facing a death crisis, hacked Yeom Jang-seon's slush fund account of 2 trillion won. Yeom Jang-seon ordered Heo Il-do to kill Seo Dong-joo, and ultimately, Seo Dong-joo was shot by Heo Il-do and fell into the sea. Realizing the hacking fact too late, Yeom Jang-seon became furious at the thought of losing 2 trillion won and blamed it all on Heo Il-do. Caught in a situation where he could do nothing, Heo Il-do screamed, 'Let Seo Dong-joo resurrect!' At that moment, Seo Dong-joo opened his eyes in an undisclosed location, marking the ending of Episode 3 where he was believed to be dead but came back to life.
◆ Episode 4 – Park Hyung-sik loses his memory and meets his lover Hong Hwa-yeon! 'Reunion ending'
In Episode 4 of 'Treasure Island,' Seo Dong-joo had been resurrected but was in a state of memory loss. During this time, the fact of Seo Dong-joo's survival was revealed through his cellphone, which also reached the ears of Yeom Jang-seon and Heo Il-do. As the two tried to capture Seo Dong-joo again, he went to Seoul to find clues from the tuxedo he was wearing. By fate, Seo Dong-joo encountered Ye Eun-nam at the place where tuxedos are sold. Although Ye Eun-nam called Seo Dong-joo with a yearning gaze, Seo Dong-joo, who had lost his memory, could not recognize her. The sad reunion marked the ending of Episode 4.
Each episode presents shocking meaning in a different way in 'Treasure Island' endings. After watching the ending, viewers feel curious about the next development and cannot bear to skip the next episode. What kind of powerful endings will the deadly ending hotspot 'Treasure Island' show in Episodes 5 and 6? How will it manipulate viewers' hearts? It's intriguing and something to look forward to.
[Photo] SBS's 'Treasure Island' broadcast capture
[OSEN = Kang Seo-jung reporter]