By Kim Young-sik, Within News
(SEOUL, April 6, 2025) —
Park Hyung-ik’s riveting emotional performance in SBS’s weekend drama The Golden Island (Bomeulseom) has captivated audiences, reaffirming his status as a master of nuanced acting.
As the drama reaches its peak, Park’s character Seo Dong-joo has endured near-death experiences and emotional turmoil, yet remains unbroken.
Through a wide emotional spectrum—ranging from madness and despair to sorrow and bitter resentment—Park has brought a deep complexity to the character, solidifying the foundation of the show’s intense narrative.
In episode 13, Seo Dong-joo came face-to-face with a cruel twist of fate: the man he sought to kill was his biological father, Heo Il-do (played by Lee Hae-young).
The revelation shook him to his core. In a chilling scene, Seo Dong-joo faced his father’s gun and dared him, saying, “I’m not dead yet. Go ahead and shoot again, Father,” his smirk laced with madness and sarcasm. The moment left viewers breathless.
As the shock faded, Dong-joo’s rage gradually gave way to emptiness and grief. Confronting a haggard Heo Il-do, he sneered, “So your grand plan is to act as wickedly as possible?” But underneath the cynicism lay profound sorrow. His gaze—torn between hatred and pity—conveyed the weight of a blood-bound relationship entangled in vengeance.
In a desperate bid to defeat the show’s true villain, Yeom Jang-seon (played by Heo Joon-ho), Dong-joo momentarily allied himself with Heo Il-do. However, their fragile alliance was short-lived.
In episode 14, which aired on April 5, Heo Il-do was fatally wounded by Jo Yang-chun (Kim Ki-moo), acting under Yeom Jang-seon’s orders.
Dong-joo, clutching his father’s hand and begging him to stay alive, delivered a heart-wrenching performance that left viewers in tears. The moment reignited Dong-joo’s burning resolve for revenge.
Park Hyung-sik’s portrayal of Seo Dong-joo has been nothing short of masterful. He seamlessly transitions between fury, hopelessness, and quiet sorrow, crafting a character rich in emotional depth. With even the slightest twitch of a facial muscle, he paints a vivid emotional portrait—earning him praise as a “sorcerer of emotional pacing.”
With just two episodes remaining, anticipation is high for how Seo Dong-joo’s journey will conclude amidst the storm of betrayal and retribution.
The Golden Island airs Fridays and Saturdays at 9:50 p.m. KST on SBS.
Photo courtesy of SBS
