Actor Joo Yeon-woo shared his honest thoughts on the ending of 'Buried Hearts'.

Recently, an ending interview with actor Joo Yeon-woo, who played the role of Cheon Gu-ho in the SBS Friday-Saturday drama 'Buried Hearts', was held at the OSEN office.

'Buried Hearts' is a life full-betting revenge tale where Seo Dong-joo (played by Park Hyung-sik), who hacked a 2 trillion won political slush fund, fights everything to take down the absolute evil that killed him. It aired its final episode on the 12th, concluding its 16-episode run.

However, following the airing of the final episode, reactions among viewers were mixed regarding the conclusion. Yeom Jang-seon (played by Heo Jun-ho) offered a meaningful smile, and Cha Seon-woo (played by Cha Woo-min) showed dark behavior, while Heo Tae-yoon (played by Yoon Sang-hyun) died, hinting at an unfinished revenge. In particular, some interpreted the scene where Seo Dong-joo, who handed over the safe password to Yeon Nam (played by Hong Hwa-yeon) and went on a long vacation, was seen on a yacht holding a pistol as an indication that he might be dead. As a result, some viewers expressed criticism over the ambiguous ending.

In response, Joo Yeon-woo noted, "This is my personal thought, but I was glad as Cheon Gu-ho. Because I didn't die." He added, "I thought I would either die or get caught, but I neither died nor got caught. The scene where Cheon Gu-ho leaves 'Wa Young-jae' calmly felt more sober. I felt that a lot of space for whitewashing was created. "

He explained, "I felt many things in the yacht scene with Seo Dong-joo and in the back shot. Perhaps because I know the script, I learned by thinking, 'This is how the seniors express it.'" He continued, "There weren't many specific details in the script itself. Although there might be parts that the director and seniors expressed while communicating on set, it flowed exactly the same way as presented in the script."

Continuing with Seo Dong-joo's ending, he said, "I thought he must have died. At some point, Seo Dong-joo looked lonely while acting with senior Park Hyung-sik. That's why when it ended, I commented, 'Senior, you look lonely.' Therefore, when I saw the ending, I interpreted that while money is important, it is possible he could have died. I believe Cheon Gu-ho would have met Yeom Jang-seon again. Thus, when he faced Seo Dong-joo and Wa Young-jae in the last scene, he thought, 'I will not give up.' It was a mindset of 'Wait, I will come back.'"

He also interpreted, "I think Cha Seon-woo had emotions built up inside while watching his mother Ji Young-soo (played by Do Ji-won) suffer at the hands of Cha Deok-hee (played by Kim Jeong-nan). Personally, I think it was to protect his mother." When asked what message he wanted to convey through the ending, he stated, "I personally think that’s what life is. Life is about things that seem like they will work out but do not. In that regard, 'Buried Hearts' is really life, isn't it?"

Particularly, Joo Yeon-woo revealed that 'Buried Hearts' is the first work in which he appeared from start to finish, saying, "I entered a 'study group' in the middle, and I died in the 'Goryeo-Khitan War.' I was not able to appear much in 'I Doona!' and also died in 'Accidentally Found You' and 'A Lucky Day.' I had mostly died, but in 'Buried Hearts' I succeeded in challenging 16 episodes without dying. So, in a way, I think I was the winner. Cheon Gu-ho hasn't lost anything. Initially, the script only included up to episode 6, so I thought I would die someday. Those who commit bad actions eventually meet their punishment. They either die or become allies, but Cheon Gu-ho neither died nor lost his color. Looking back on it now, I feel Gu-ho was the victor. 'I survived,' I thought. 'I can go for season 2,' and chuckled."

Meanwhile, regarding the possibility of a season 2, Joo Yeon-woo expressed, "I would love for season 2 to come out, but unfortunately, I haven’t heard any such discussions. Still, there might have been talks about it." He added, "Nevertheless, Cheon Gu-ho is alive, so I am excited to think about him taking action again if season 2 comes out. I will definitely succeed this time." (Continued in interview ②)

[Photo] OSEN reporter Min Kyung-hoon

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