Treasure Island Sees Dramatic Ratings Surge in Episode 2

The ratings for SBS's Friday-Saturday drama Treasure Island (보물섬) have skyrocketed. According to Nielsen Korea, the second episode aired on February 22, 2025, achieved a nationwide rating of 8.1%, marking a significant increase of 2 percentage points from the previous episode. In the Seoul metropolitan area, the rating stood at 7.8%, with a peak momentarily reaching 9.9%. This impressive performance positions Treasure Island as the top mini-series on Saturdays and the leading mini-series of the week, establishing a strong competitive edge just two episodes in.

In this episode, the character Seo Dong-joo (박형식) faced betrayal from his girlfriend Ye Eun-nam (홍화연) but managed to rise above it. The mastermind behind this betrayal was revealed to be the influential figure Yeom Jang-seon (허준호), setting the stage for a fierce confrontation between Seo Dong-joo and Yeom Jang-seon. This highly anticipated pairing of 박형식 and 허준호 brought intense tension and shock to viewers.

Seo Dong-joo was left reeling during the wedding of the granddaughter of Chairman Cha Gang-cheon (우현), where he discovered that the bride was none other than Ye Eun-nam, who was set to marry Yeom Jang-seon’s niece. Heartbroken and feeling betrayed, Seo Dong-joo was forcibly confined during the ceremony.

After shedding tears, he returned to the wedding venue, where Ye Eun-nam informed him that she had chosen an arranged marriage and urged him to leave Daesan Group. Despite his protests that he would never abandon Daesan, the pain of losing Ye Eun-nam weighed heavily on him. Chairman Cha Gang-cheon further complicated matters by inviting Seo Dong-joo to a family gathering, revealing his awareness of the relationship between Seo Dong-joo and Ye Eun-nam.

Realizing that the chairman had changed the safe's password, Seo Dong-joo declared his intention to leave Daesan. However, Chairman Cha Gang-cheon revealed a significant secret: he had an illegitimate son and planned to elevate him to the top of Daesan Group. Determined to keep Seo Dong-joo under his control, the chairman sent a large amount of gold bullion to Yeom Jang-seon through Seo Dong-joo.

The confrontation between Seo Dong-joo and Yeom Jang-seon escalated, with Yeom expressing his unease about Seo Dong-joo's potential departure from Daesan. The psychological battle between the two intensified, while Seo Dong-joo struggled to maintain his composure around Ye Eun-nam, unable to express any emotions.

Yeom Jang-seon, unwilling to let Seo Dong-joo go, plotted to eliminate him as a threat to his puppet, Heo Il-do (이해영), who was vying for the position of vice president at Daesan Group. Unbeknownst to Seo Dong-joo, he was ambushed by an unknown assailant. In a desperate struggle, he fought back and managed to escape, bloodied but alive.

In a shocking twist, Seo Dong-joo discovered the assailant's phone ringing and answered it, only to hear Cheon Gu-ho (주연우), a loyal aide to Yeom Jang-seon, asking, "Where is Seo Dong-joo?" The episode concluded with Seo Dong-joo in shock, realizing that Yeom Jang-seon had attempted to kill him. The preview for the next episode hinted at an escalating conflict between Seo Dong-joo and Yeom Jang-seon, raising anticipation among viewers.

Episode 2 of Treasure Island delivered a whirlwind of developments that captivated audiences. The intense confrontation between Seo Dong-joo and Yeom Jang-seon showcased the powerful performances of 박형식 and 허준호, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. As the series progresses, the stakes continue to rise, with new episodes airing every Friday at 10 PM and Saturday at 9:50 PM.