Treasure Island Achieves Record-Breaking Ratings in Final Episode
The SBS drama Treasure Island (보물섬) has concluded its run with record-breaking viewership ratings. According to Nielsen Korea, the final episode aired on April 12, 2025, achieving a remarkable 15.7% rating in the Seoul metropolitan area and 15.4% nationwide, surpassing the coveted 15% mark. This impressive figure not only made it the top-rated show in its time slot across all channels but also marked the highest rating for any miniseries aired in 2025. The peak rating soared to an astonishing 17.9%. Additionally, the show led the week in the key demographic of viewers aged 20 to 49, with a rating of 4%.
In the finale, the character Seo Dong-joo (박형식) successfully executed his long-planned revenge against the villain Yeom Jang-seon (허준호), but instead of feeling triumphant, he was left with a sense of emptiness. The series depicted the bitter fates of characters consumed by their desires, ultimately illustrating the futility of human ambition.
Earlier in the series, Seo Dong-joo had attacked Yeom Jang-seon, who later went missing. Despite achieving his goal of becoming the CEO of Daesan Energy and ousting Yeom, Seo found no comfort or happiness in his success. As he searched for Yeom's whereabouts, he visited a symbolic location, Wa Young-jae, where he recalled their intense confrontations, feeling an inexplicable void.
A shocking revelation emerged: Yeom Jang-seon had been imprisoned in a secret vault of Daesan Group's slush fund, a situation orchestrated by Seo Dong-joo. Trapped among the riches he coveted, Yeom struggled to escape. Staying true to his revenge plan, Seo obtained a document from Yeom, ensuring he would donate all his wealth before releasing him. Watching Yeom leave the vault brought tears to Seo's eyes.
Afterward, Seo shared the vault's password with Yeon Nam (홍화연) and departed. He went to the sea, where he scattered the ashes of Heo Il-do and reflected on the two guns in his hands, feeling deep regret. Although he had succeeded in his revenge, the sense of emptiness lingered in his silhouette.
Meanwhile, Yeom Jang-seon, having lost everything, was arrested and faced justice. Ji Seon-woo (차우민) killed his nephew Heo Tae-yoon (윤상현) in a bid for control of Daesan Group. Cha Deok-hee (김정난), who had previously killed her husband out of desire, became a shell of her former self after losing her beloved son to Ji Seon-woo's ambitions. Cha Gang-cheon (우현), who had promised to pass Daesan Group to his son, succumbed to severe dementia, losing focus in his gaze.
The series concluded with the somber narration from Yeon Nam, inviting Seo Dong-joo to rest without needing to return. Writer Lee Myung-hee crafted a gripping narrative filled with themes of revenge, money, desire, and secrets of birth, while director Jin Chang-kyu skillfully highlighted the tension among characters consumed by their ambitions. The performances from a diverse cast, including Park Hyung-sik, Heo Jun-ho, Lee Hae-young, Hong Hwa-yeon, Woo Hyun, Kim Jung-nan, Do Ji-won, and Hong Soo-hyun, captivated viewers throughout the series. The combination of a compelling script, direction, and acting made Treasure Island a standout drama, successfully blending traditional revenge themes with a fresh perspective that resonated with audiences of all ages. The impact of Treasure Island will linger in the hearts of its viewers for a long time.
