Dear Hongrang

A bittersweet portrait of love and loss

This drama is a quiet, tender story that lingers in the heart long after the final episode. It’s not a grand, sweeping romance but a painfully realistic portrayal of love which I do think is necessarily and fitting.
What actually caught my interest is the tattoo on Hongrang’s back, It is a haunting and symbolic element central to the series' dark narrative, which the drama’s brilliance lies in how it uses this detail. Every time Hongrang’s back is revealed, in moments of vulnerability, the weight of that ink feels heavier. Dear Hongrang is beautifully shot and emotionally resonant, with standout performances and a unique concept. While it stumbles with pacing and clarity toward the end, it remains a worthwhile watch for those who like dramas with a dark and sorrowful twist.

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A little disappointing...

I started this drama mainly because Lee Jae Wook in it but the story, while reading the synopsis was interesting too. Sadly, it didn't live up to the hype it got on TikTok (at least on my fyp).

The drama centers around the Sim family and begins to tell the story of Hong Rang. He's a little boy when he vanishes from his home under mysterieus conditions. No one knows where he is and everybody starts to look for him but no one ever finds him. His half sister, Jae I, is hopefull though. She desperately hopes he's alive somewhere and will return to their home someday. In her life he was the only one who treated her like a normal human being. She's a bastard child to the master of the house and frequently mistreated by family members. Most of them blame her for Hong Rang's disappearance and tell her she's a curse upon the family. Especially her stepmother.
And then Hong Rang returns home. Everyone thinks he's the real deal because he passes some tests and claims amnesia. But Jae I is weary of him and doesn't trust it. He cannot be her brother. She would have recognised him, wouldn't she? But nothing to him feels familiar.
But he becomes someone she can trust, someone who treats her like she matters. And soon she starts to fall for him.

If only the story could have been just about that, but it tried to be so much more by adding all kinds of storylines and plots. It became a little too much in the end. There was too much going on and most of it didn't get resolved at the end. It became a romance above all when more important stuff was going on. Like Hong Rang (the imposter) his origin and his life story. In the beginning of the story you get some info sprinkled throughout the scenes about a painter and something horrible, but you won't find out exactly what they mean by the painter and the horrible things until much later. If it did anything for the suspense in the show you wouldn't hear me nag about it, but it got backsided by so many layers of other plots... I didn't understand any of it most of the time.
There was a power struggle within the Sim family. There was a abduction/runaway storyline about young Hong Rang. There was a plotline with a prince. There was a storyine with the imposter Hong Rang and that split into two storyline when the romance began... It became a spider web of stories and none of them really took the show and brought it to another level.

In the end it fell like a bore to me. Nothing really stuck with me or kept me locked in.

So if you're looking for a show that's not that thrilling or exciting, I'd recommend this one. But for anything else I'd look elsewhere.

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good concept lousy and rushed execution

As a premise, this drama was very promising , but alas the execution was lousy, the story began to go all over the place, weird pacing, rushed conclusions to some story arcs, and even inconsistencies with some of the flashback events.

The drama opens to an intriguing mystery with a touch of fantasy and horror elements. The story then offers the familiar yet promising aspect of second guessing and doubting whether our main lead is an imposter who is deceiving everyone, or is he/ might be genuine. Was he a tormented soul that is good at heart, or is he simply a conniving evil person. If executed well such a tool be highly advantageous to building a mystery thriller, where a degree of doubting the true intentions or nature of a character gives extra depth to the story, keeping us watching doubting each and every word or action they take, always in anticipation of the moment the truth comes out. This drama even added an extra layer to that mystery; our main male lead might be truly the person he believes he is conning people into thinking that he is. That premise was good on paper, but unfortunately I have to say I felt the execution was somewhat sloppy and riddled with question marks, and the reveal was eventually rather anticlimactic.

The romance was poorly done. The Enemies-to-lovers card was just so rushed we were not shown enough to be bought on their love story, a couple of swoon-worthy moments or a couple of heroic actions can not make the viewer believe how she could shift one moment from despising and doubting him to all of a sudden falling madly in love with him. And I want to stress, that the issue with the romance was not owing to lack of acting skills or chemistry between the actors, rather it was just an issue with writing and script itself, it felt like the writer just decided at one point maybe due to time constraints with the air time and the progress of the story to just advance the romance to the next level.

Now, addressing the elephant in the room, which was the faux-incest aspect of the romance plot. I'll put it this way, showing us signs of attraction between the main leads at a point when we were still highly doubtful whether or not he was her brother was one thing, but when there is outright flirtatious skin-ship AFTER he supposedly convinced her he was her long lost brother that is a totally different thing. Let's just say that was a bit too much for me.

As for the pacing of the story, the drama wasted a large chunk of its short airing time on the "guild" power struggles or whatever that was, which to put it bluntly was boring and never managed to interest me as a viewer. I never really managed to wrap my head around what the whole guild and stake thing to begin with. and I felt like even the writers were being indecisive as to how much they wanted to build this story, they were always hinting at things like the gift of deed or whatever but never properly explaining anything. And even after we were introduced to the backstory of our lead and his motivations to approaching the guild master, the writers managed time and time again to lose the viewers attention toward the main mystery that our main lead was risking his life to uncover (i.e. the painter and his snow man), and left us trying our best to follow the inner machinations of the power struggle between the husband and wife fighting over control of their precious guild, and we were only ever introduced to their background story too little too late. It is hard to be interested in a plot that involves characters that we were not properly introduced to, with just one quick rushed scene to give you the gist of their background story. That may cut it if it was just a side character with a side plot that didn't consume most of the drama, but here at least one third of the story was about the god da*n thing! They managed to lose my interest completely to the point that whenever there was a part where different factions sent their henchmen to hunt down our leads which tended to happen a lot, I couldn't care less to recognize who was on which faction's side and who was fighting who, I was like whatever just get it over with. I found myself a couple of times literally checking how many episodes were left, and wondering when will the story address the mystery of the painter already, or just focus on our main lead's story.

The ending was super rushed, and I do not think that the shorter format was purely to blame, the story with its different plots could have progressed with a different pace and more balanced way so as to give more time for the main plot to progress without feeling it was just haphazardly executed like that.

Like many people mentioned on here, the OST was nice and memorable, the main song gave Indian vibes with dark and ritualistic sounding vocals I felt matched the story.

If you're a huge fan of the actors, it would not hurt to check it out, other than that I would not recommend this drama.

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Powerful and beautiful

This would make a close-to-perfect film.
It was slow in the beginning and it had some plot holes. It's not clear how or why the leads fell in love with each other. It's cold and weary and then half-way they lit a spark that we aren't sure where it came from. They were too subtle on developing such an intense love. I believe that's my biggest criticism of this drama.
I do believe this drama is worth it just for the last three episodes. It would have been great with an optimised storyline for film. I'm giving it a high score just for the last part of the drama.

I knew this could never have a happy ending but I'm still left profoundly heartbroken. It took me a long time to finish this drama because of the theme, in the current political affairs, and because I was feeling the pain of the protagonists a little too intensely.

Overall, the drama is great. It talks about important topics, the cinematography is insanely beautiful and the soundtrack matches the visual and the theme. They all work perfectly together with the acting and most of the story.

I like the way the Soul Reaper confronted his abuser. While he was talking about transcendence and deity, the Soul Reaper brought him back to earth. The ones who do evil do it because they are evil or are ok with the suffering of others and there's usually a societal and political structure which allows them to do this level of evil. He put him in his place and it was an act of justice. Those who commit these acts are people, no matter their social or political status. They need to be treated as such and need to be served the people's justice. I found this very relevant in all of society so often controlled and propagandised by religion and power.

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a gripping tale of grief and obsession

'dear hongrang' has a haunting setting with dark themes and brutal reality of how abusive evil people are. additionally, there is a heart-breaking element shown in jae-yi's character as she struggled as her heart yearned to see her little brother again.

as a drama that also has politics in it, it was intriguing to watch the rivalry between hongrang and mu jin plus how yeon-ui's cruelty comes to play. while it does make my blood boil how yeon-ui is as a character, she does work well as an antagonist. speaking of antagonists, the villain was portrayed as this person in the shadows at first, yet we are also given hints of just how his presence is not pleasant. he craves power. bound to be obsessed by his creations. he looms over you and will drain your very existence. deeply eerie and sends chill to your bones when you find out the things he did.

however, despite how interesting the concept is and how the drama started, i can't help but feel frustration halfway through. i felt the romance between the leads to be lackluster and it was so sudden. in addition, the story seemed to have fast-forwarded itself. there was this rushed feel to the pacing that even though the scenes were very much impactful and heavy, it felt as though i was jumping from one episode to another. the start was slow and stable then ended like a whirlpool of things all at once.

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Worth the watch!

Dear Hongrang is a historical mystery melodrama with mature themes of identity, family, love, betrayal, and long-buried secrets. The story unfolds quietly, relying on emotional tension and subtle storytelling rather than dramatic spectacle.
While the earlier episodes set the foundation, starting from episode 6 the drama truly captivated my interest, as the mystery deepens and the emotional stakes become more compelling. The performances shine through restrained expressions and silence, making the relationships feel raw and believable.
With its melancholic tone, strong atmosphere, and slow-burn pacing, Dear Hongrang is a rewarding watch for viewers who enjoy emotionally rich, thoughtful historical dramas.

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It Hurt to Watch—and That’s Why I Loved It

Dear Hongrang is not just a historical drama it’s a slow, aching elegy for everything we lose but still carry inside us. It’s a story about grief that doesn’t scream, love that doesn’t ask, and the kind of pain that lingers quietly in the corners of your heart.

The plot begins with the mysterious return of Hongrang, the long-lost heir of a powerful merchant family, who disappeared when he was only eight. His homecoming doesn’t bring joy it brings confusion, fear, and longing. His mother, broken by grief, clings to him as if he’s salvation. His father remains cold. His half-brother Mu-jin, raised to replace him, begins to spiral. And Jae-i ,his half-sister, the only one who never stopped waitingstands frozen between love and disbelief.

This drama doesn't rush. It unfolds like a secret. Every scene is laced with silence, every gesture says more than words. You don’t watch it, you feel it, slowly, deeply, until you realize it’s inside you.

⚡The Ache It Left Behind:

I didn't know Dear Hongrang would stay with me long after the final scene faded.

At first, I thought it was a mystery, who is this man? Is he really Hongrang? But soon, I realized the real question wasn’t about identity. It was about memory, about belonging, about whether we can ever truly return to the people we once were.

What moved me most were the characters not for what they said, but for what they couldn't say.

Jae-i broke my heart in the most quiet, beautiful way. She carried so much weight on her shoulders but never let it show. Her love for her brother wasn’t loud or dramatic, it was steady, patient, aching. She reminded me of what it’s like to be strong when there’s no one left to lean on. The way she looked at him, the way she held back when she wanted to run to him—I felt all of it.

And Hongrang... I still can’t find the right words for him. He walked like a ghost. Like someone who didn’t believe he deserved to be remembered. He was always halfway gone, even when he was standing right there. But when he was with Jae-i, something shifted. He became softer, almost human again. Their connection wasn’t just emotional ,it felt spiritual, like they belonged to each other in a past life they couldn’t quite reach.

Then there’s Mu-jin. His pain was the kind that doesn’t make a sound. He loved too deeply and too quietly. You could see him crumbling from the inside out, but he never asked for anything. That kind of heartbreak,the silent kind,hit me the hardest. It made me think of all the times I’ve pretended to be okay just to keep someone close. I saw myself in him more than I wanted to.

The drama is beautifully filmed,the forests, the candlelit rooms, the haunting music. But what really stayed with me were the pauses. The unspoken words. The tension that wrapped itself around every scene like a fog. It wasn’t about dramatic twists or big reveals. It was about the ache of wanting something that’s already gone. It was about learning to live with that ache.

And the ending... I cried harder than I’ve cried in a long time. Not because it shocked me, but because it felt so real. It didn’t give me closure. It didn’t offer peace. But it gave me something more honest,a kind of quiet acceptance. It told me that sometimes, the people we lose never really come back. And sometimes, neither do we.


FINAL THOUGHTS:
Dear Hongrang doesn’t try to fix you. It doesn’t hand you easy answers or happy endings. It just sits beside you, like sorrow does, and lets you feel. It asks you to stop pretending. To stop running. To look grief in the eye and say, “I see you.”

It’s a drama about remembering people who are already gone. About loving them anyway. About living with the hollow spaces they leave behind.

And maybe that’s why I loved it so much.

Because I know what that feels like.
🪄🤍

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Dear Hongrang

I was waiting for this drama because of Jo Bo Ah and she was the reason for watching, I did not have any high expectation for plot or any other aspect of this drama - maybe it is a reason why it was even better - but yeah this drama is just great. So moving on to actors/characters, then ending and story ( I will repeat warning - THERE WILL BE SPOILERS - so read only if it does not bother you).
Jo Bo Ah - I just love her acting, her crying scenes were heartbreaking here, I feel like her character was the only one which we could actually put in morally good category, I liked her chemistry with other actors, I also feel like she likes when dramas have some historical aspect, but she looks great in hanbok so I understand her, I loved her high ponytail hairstyle in 10th episode I think, maybe it was 9th - now I want her to play assassin in some historical drama
Lee Jae Wook - my first drama with him where is main character, I do not know yet if I fully like his acting style, sometimes he looks like lost child but at the same time it made perfect sense with his storyline, oh my how much his charactered suffered, it is crazy, and I am happy that he knew since the beginning that they are not siblings cause otherwise it would be weird (so good thing that she also suspected it), I liked their kiss scenes (yeah, maybe dark drama but it is still romance so we got it!), SPOILER: there really was not a way to prevent his death and that is probably the saddest part about it
Jung Ga Ram - I did not recognize him at the beginning, he is guy who got a girl from Love Alarm (yeah, I was team him in that drama XD), here his character was sweet at the beginning, then you literally start to hate him, SPOILER: good thing that in the end he choosed to be good and protect her
Kim Jae Wook - he know how to play crazy characters/villains, just perfect acting but story is crazy, I expected him to be a villain and at the same time I thought he was not, SPOILER: scene with lost hands felt a little like from anime, not my favourite part but excellent "revenge" for him
Well the rest did great, everyone acted perfect, although I have to admit that I had some hard time to recognize who was who because of mustaches and beards.
Hongrang - poor sweet child, he only wanted to protect his sister.....and I hate his mother, eventhought well no, I just hate her
Great fighting scenes, great villains, still I do not know who was The snow man......., beautiful romance, more bitter than sweet ending, yeah more sad than anything, how she lost everyone she cared about but I do not think people really expected something light, even poster made it clear that we will cry during this
I do not really understand the last scene - if it was her imagination or if it was after she died because of old age - but it made the ending a little sweeter.
A little bloody but I do not think it was too brutal.
Totally worth watching, even amount of episodes is great, just give it a chance!

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Yes it's messy.

Watch it dubbed while cooking, doing the laundry, or cleaning, so you won't feel like you're wasting your time.

Also, I'm sorry it's just from what I've watched so far ---I have never seen Jo Bo Ah (Jae I) having any chemistry with any male leads.


Story:

Even for a past time series, (something you don't expect to be worth your time), the plot holes are bothering. I can't recall everything, but the important ones were mentioned in Chipmunk101's review. Also, the ending doesn't make sense, it's a big "huh?" moment.

Acting/Cast:

Amazing acting that it almost made me forget how terrible the storyline is.

Music:

The music just makes it REALLY cinematic!!! NGL! I got goosebumps in some scenes.

Rewatch Value:

NONE.

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A poetic masterpiece

Tangeum (Dear Hongrang) is not just a historical drama - it is a cinematic poem woven with silence, sorrow, beauty, and longing. From its haunting score to its breathtaking cinematography, every frame feels like a painting brought to life.

At the heart of it all is Lee Jae Wook, delivering the most nuanced and soul-stirring performance of his career. As Hongrang, he carries the weight of pain, secrets, and impossible love with a depth rarely seen on screen. He acts not just with his voice and expression, but with breath, posture, and silence - conveying entire worlds through a single look. His transformation throughout the series is subtle yet powerful, and his final moments on screen leave an ache that lingers.

The story unfolds like a tragic lullaby - slow, deliberate, and devastatingly human. Tangeum is a rare drama that dares to feel deeply, and dares its audience to do the same. A true gem that deserves recognition for its artistry, emotional depth, and the unforgettable performance of its lead.

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Not the music, the action scenes, nor the MLs' beauty could redeem this

The setup for a love triangle was painfully obvious early on, so I almost abandoned the series.

The characters were very one-dimensional. It appeared the mystery and Hongrang's backstory would get a less predictable development, but instead, they abandoned that and then tried to convince us that the trained assassin who made meticulous plans would make a sloppy escape/elopement attempt.

In the last episodes, they started just showing scenes without setup, continuity, or explanation of how characters came to be there. It was very odd for a series of this level.

The action scenes were good and well-shot.

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Epic, gut-wrenching yet beautiful piece of drama.

I must say I'm in awe of the cinematography, haunting ost and overall production of this epic historical drama told over 11 structured episodes. I love the mystery, melodrama, the mission and at the center of it lies a love story between Hongrang and Jaeyi, both struggle with past and present demons, violence and abuse. Great acting from all the cast particularly our protagonists Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah, special mention of the mother Yeon Ui played by the seasoned Uhm Ji Won, she's amazing, eats up every scene she's in. I'm not so fond of the abuse and cruelty against children, the grand prince (Kim Jae Wook, great charisma and acting chops) the overbearing obsessive older brother Mu Jin, never liked him from the start. The ending so.... sad only because our dear Hongrang suffered much in his life and he deserved his happiness and peace, but I'm okayed with it, at last he can truly rest and await for his Jaeyi. Overall 9.5 rating... recommend it.

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