“Dear Hongrang” Is Just The K-Drama 2025 Needed: Here’s Why

If you need to know one thing about my movie taste, you would know that I am too addicted to period dramas, so much that it’s almost unhealthy.  

Yes, you guessed it right! I have just finished watching Dear Hongrang, and it is definitely one of the best Korean period dramas I have seen.  

As you all know, whenever I think of something, I have to share it with you. Well, let’s just say it’s a worthy drama to binge-watch. However, there’s more to it. So, let’s get into it, shall we? 

Dear Hongrang premiered on May 17 on Netflix. Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah star in this historical rom-com, which mixes mystery, fantasy, and period drama.  

Dear Hongrang: A Perfect Blend Of Period Drama And Mystery

Movie Name	Dear Hongrang
Other Names	Tangeum
Native Name	탄금
Directed by	Kim Hong-sun
Type	Series
Released	May 16, 2025
No. of episodes	11 Episodes
Genre	Period Drama, Mystery, Melodrama

After binge-watching 11 episodes in one night—because the mystery really grabbed me—I realized the show is more about emotional impact than a typical rom-com.  

Do you know what hooked me onto the series? The series focuses on costume design, set pieces, and cinematography. And theres only one expression to explain it all—”it’s giving! “

The story involves Hong Rang, Jae Yi, and Mu Jin, featuring a solid mystery, a powerful merchant guild, and a greedy father who runs it.

Furthermore, the drama also deals with betrayals, and quick flashbacks between past and present that catch your interest. However, some viewers still find parts of it a bit awkward. 

If you like Alchemy of Souls, you should watch Dear Hongrang, especially to see Lee Jae Wook in a Hanbok as Joseon’s Soul Reaper. 

The story starts with the son of Joseon’s most powerful guild going missing. At first, it might seem a bit much, but soon the story takes its time to develop, leading you through intense feelings of obsession, grief, deceit, and longing. 

The setting is beautiful, lit by candlelight, and the stunning visuals and elaborate jewelry make this drama stand out from other historical K-dramas. 

Cast Members Of Dear Hongrang

Actor	Character	Type
Lee Jae-Wook	Hongrang	Main
Cho Bo-Ah	Sim Jae-Yi	Main
Jung Ga-Ram	Mu-Jin	Main
Uhm Ji-Won	Min Yeon-Ui	Main
Park Byung-Eun	Sim Yeol-Guk	Side
Park Myoung-Hoon	Bang Ji-Ryeon	Side
Choi Young-Woo	Yuk-Son	Side
Park Mi-Hyun	In-Hoe	Side

What Is The Plot Of Dear Hongrang?

The plot starts with twelve years having passed, but Hong Rang is still missing. People on the street gossip while looking at his poster.  

He was the heir to Joseon’s largest merchant association and disappeared at age 8. His mother, Min Yeon-ui (Uhm Ji-won), has fallen into addiction but still hopes for his return.  

Ooh, but the spicy rumors say that Jae Yi, Hongrang’s stepsister, is cursed. She is blamed for her little brother’s disappearance after allegedly killing their mother.  

Nevertheless, a sister’s love knows no bounds. Jae Yi keeps searching for him, even if it means putting her life at risk. Meanwhile, Mu Jin (Jung Ga Ram) is adopted by the Sim family.  

He is raised and trained to take over the business. The only person he feels close to is Jae Yi, who respects him but doesn’t feel the same way about him.  

But then, guess what happens. The pot twist!  Everything changes when a stranger arrives at Min’s home, who apparently claims to be the long-lost Hong Rang.  

Everyone believes him, except Jae Yi, my beautiful and intelligent girl, who has been doubtful from the start.  

We then get a very enigmatic and memorable scene that shows how they verify his identity using an old DNA-matching method.  

Oh my my! I got goosebumps in this scene. They drop blood into a liquid-filled vessel and watch the reaction. This scene is a highlight of the film. 

What Are The Key Themes Of Dear Hongrang?

The period drama overall deals with the key themes of identity, revenge, and love in the Joseon era. Although other core themes have been given deserved prominence across the drama.  

Revenge

In this drama, Hongrang plays the role of a sole reaper, which is one of the series’ main highlights.  

He seeks to bring down those people who betrayed and wronged his family, and do justice to the deaths of others.   

Power and Corruption

The series touches upon themes of power, corruption, and the lengths to which those in positions of authority will go to maintain their control. It centers particularly on the Han family and their dealings with the Min family.  

Tradition VS Modernity

The Joseon era’s historical setting provides a backdrop for exploring the clash between traditional beliefs and modern ideas. 

Moreover, the ideas become more prominent as they particularly relate to the supernatural and the search for justicee.  

Incestuous Romance

The story looks at a romantic relationship between siblings, which is considered taboo. Jae-yi and Hongrang start to have feelings for each other.  

They face personal and social challenges that their relationship needs to overcome.  

What Does The Original Title Of Dear Hongrang Mean? 

The series’ original title, Tangeum, reveals a lot about it even before it starts. The word has dual meanings: “swallowing gold” and “the sound of sorrow“. 

There was a sort of punishment in Ancient China, where people were condemned to a brutal ending of swallowing molten gold.  

In the context of Hongrang, he is condemned to swallow his grief, his unsaid words, and his brutal sorrow every day, where he cannot reach out to his family.  

Furthermore, in light of another meaning, Tangeum is also the name of a homophone that plays the Zither.  

The zither is a traditional Korean string instrument that produces sweet, haunting music that triggers a daunting and sorrowful memory.  

In the context of Dear Hograng, Hograng is himself the sorrowful memory for his family and loved ones. A memory that everyone wishes to forget and move on, but fails to do so.  

Dear Hongrang: Counting The Imperfections

Condensing the complex stories of the novel’s characters into 11 hours was tough.  

As a result, “Dear Hongrang“ has been criticized for some confusing parts and sudden plot changes.  

Lee Jae-wook responded to this criticism., “A lot was edited out. With many explanations cut, viewers might feel uncomfortable. Still, I believe the editing was done well overall.”  

Furthermore, he mentioned that “It might be my own rationalization, but I think it’s packed tightly. Given the strength of the original work, some may find it lacking.” 

Does Dear Hongrang Get A Happy Ending? (Spoiler Alert!!!)

This is a complicated question. Even though Hong-rang dies at the end, many characters find peace and justice. Well, atleast we’d like to believe so. Jae-yi learns the truth about her brother’s disappearance.  

With this knowledge, she confronts her stepmother. Jae-yi gives the Min family guild’s ledger to the authorities, which contains proof of corruption.  

Kkot-nim kills Yeol-guk, who, as we know, betrayed her in the past and helped the Crown Prince hurt innocent children.  

Mu-jin dies while trying to protect his adopted sister. He even asserts how relieved he is, as he suffers fatal injuries from the Crown Prince’s men. Oh god, my eyes are teary again!  

Jae-yi decides to start an orphanage. She can use her time and energy to give countless children something that neither she nor Hong-rang had: a safe home.  

My Takeaway Of Dear Hongrang

Honestly, I loved this drama. It’s a perfect mix of plot and themes that really gripped me throughout.  

Moreover, the themes incorporated in Dear Hongrang were not quite unconventional, but they were still interesting.  

The emotional stakes in Dear Hongrang grab our attention. Jae-yi and Hongrang were close as children, and when the adult Hongrang returns to the Guild, Jae-yi senses that he may not be who he claims to be. 

The story is complex and full of possibilities. Even with the traditional language and attire of the Joseon period, it centers around a mystery.  

We don’t know where this man, who says he is Hongrang, comes from or what his real intentions are.  

There’s also a ghostly presence that seems to harm children in the village where the Guild is located. 

Furthermore, The story also explores power. Yeol-guk leads the Guild, but the true power lies with Yeon-ui. She spent years in a medicinal haze while Hongrang was missing.  

Yeon-ui strongly dislikes Jae-yi, believing her to be bad luck, and she barely recognizes Mu-jin as part of the family. Watching how she will use her power now that her favored child is back will be interesting. 

Lastly, this is a love story. Mu-jin’s feelings for Jae-yi are clear, and he would do anything for her. However, he knows his position in the family is uncertain now that Hongrang has returned.  

The question is which will drive him more: his love for Jae-yi or his urge to find out if Hongrang is a fraud.

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