Dear Hongrang

Dark & Mysterious

This wasn't what I expected when I began watching, but it does turn out to be a very in-depth story to follow with a lot of twists & turns. It becomes so bizarre at times, but you can't stop watching it.
The main character, Hong Rang, appears to be antagonist at the beginning, but this is the type of story where nothing appears to be what it is. There were so many times I forgot who was actually good and who was bad in this series. It changes so much, you get mixed up on who to root for.
Bo Ah is great, as always. She never disappoints in bringing out every emotion possible on screen. Her, paired up with Jae Wook make a great team, although you wouldn't think so early on. These two evolve into a very believable couple.
Another character that really fools you into showing his true colors was Mu Jin. This character was tough to figure out, and Ga Ram shows us both sides of his talents at being liked and being disliked.
I think though, without a doubt, the most disturbing and evil character was Prince Han Pyeong. What an excellent job Kim Jae Wook does at bring out this wicked madman on camera. He's the perfect antagonist giving us such a disturbing performance. His death scene at the very end is brilliant and so well deserved.
Overall, it's a dark toned thriller & love story rolled into one. It makes for a great watch, becoming extremely entertaining, especially the later episodes.

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The price of revenge is not cheap

Dear Hongrang is an angst slow burn cliche centred of revenge, grief, passionate love, obsession, questionable relationship, psychological turmoil, children abuse and abduction and many dark themes with an amazing acting, stunning scenery, good sword fighting's scene, good scripts, great villian and pleasing OST and BGM.

While the plot of the story is not something new for kdrama or Hollywood's playbook with the sad and expected ending, Dear Hongrang is quite a remarkable drama that left long lasting impression for the viewer. One of the dramas that viewer demand longer episode, weekly airing (So that, anticipation's value is high) and more explanation to the plot hole.

However, the story was delivered and the paced is good (quite). Not everything needs to be shown and to be explained but, it will be great if some character has a background story e.g The Snow Man (reminded me of Shirogane/that man from Gannibal). He is an interesting character.

Overall, the drama is enjoyable. 8/10 from me.

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A Cautionary Tale

Characters: 10/20
Oh boy, where do I start? Most of these characters had the depth of a puddle. The mains? Flat. The side characters? Just as flat. Half the time they felt less like people and more like walking, talking plot devices. Some even acted completely out of character just to keep the story moving.

The rare bright spots were Hongrang and Min Yeon Ui. Min Yeon Ui was giving villainess with a frozen heart that only melts for her son vibes, and honestly? Loved watching her play the family politics game. Jae Yi though… whew. She was the weakest link. A human weather vane, swaying whichever way the plot pushed her. All that backstory wasted because she spent the show stuck in damsel-in-distress mode.

The rest? Either frozen in place with zero growth or suddenly pulling a 180° personality flip like they just got patched with new firmware. And don’t even get me started on the villain reveal. After endless fake-outs, the “real” villain shows up and… surprise, surprise—he’s a generic, “I’m so crazy!” kdrama bad guy with no actual motives or backstory. I’ve seen this trope done better in Vincenzo, IOTNBO, My Demon—at least those actors sold the chaos. Here, even the villain looked like he didn’t believe his own nonsense.

And then there’s the second male lead, Kim Musin. Honestly, he felt like Byeong In from Mr. Queen’s knockoff cousin. Byeong In at least had layers and believable growth. Musin just… switched personalities overnight like someone hit “randomize” on him. Plus, he was a simping machine making the dumbest choices possible. Honestly? He deserved a tragic send-off.

Plot: 10/20
The plot was like a Jenga tower—looked solid at first, then collapsed the moment they added too much. Episode one hooked me. But then came the unnecessary story arcs, plot holes you could drive a bus through, and characters making the most illogical choices just to keep things moving.

And that finale? A mess. They tried shoving in plot twist after plot twist like they were on sale—except instead of thickening the story, they just contradicted everything built since episode one. It was like watching someone knock over their own house of cards.

Themes: 9/15
Self-harm, trauma, unrequited love, betrayal, loyalty, abuse—yeah, the themes were all there. But instead of actually exploring them, the show dipped a toe in and ran scared. Every time it tried to get deep, it hit the brakes. Even unrequited love, which should’ve been poignant, got mishandled so badly it basically gave out the wrong lessons.

Emotional Impact: 9/15
Spoiler: there was none. The FL had one face for every emotional scene, and it just… wasn’t working. Lee Jae Wook delivered (because duh, he’s Lee Jae Wook), but he can only carry so much.

The romance? Don’t even ask. I have no clue when or why they fell in love. One minute—strangers. Next minute—“I’d die for you.” The chemistry was flatter than soda left out overnight.

Pacing: 5/10
If pacing were a crime, this show would be serving a life sentence. After two episodes, the main plot went poof. Gone. Instead, we were spoon-fed random side plots until the original conflict crawled back like, “Hey, remember me?”

Good writing would’ve tied the subplots into the main arc or at least circled back every episode. Instead, everything felt disconnected. Relationships came pre-installed with zero explanation, so people were suddenly hating or loving each other for… reasons? The romance especially—no build-up, just vibes.

Honestly, this plot needed breathing room. It should’ve been 12 longer episodes instead of rushing through, ignoring details, and fast-tracking conversations.

Rewatchability: 2/5
Yeah… once is enough.

Visuals/Production: 5/5
i have to give credit where it's due. Gorgeous visuals, sleek direction, intense action, and an OST that slapped. Clearly, this is where the budget went.

Acting: 6/10
Lee Jae Wook carried the whole thing on his back. He was sharp, ruthless, charismatic—he was Hongrang. You could feel every ounce of his pain and anger. Any chemistry in his relationship with Jae Yi? Entirely from him.

Jo Bo Ah though… oof. Jae Yi was boring, lifeless, and recycled the same four expressions on rotation. I’d have preferred her in a smaller role. The supposed emotional scenes? Fell flat. Chemistry with other characters? Nonexistent.

The other gem was Uhm Ji Won, who killed her role with finesse. I just wish she got more screen time.


Final Thoughts
Dear Hongrang was… fine. Not unwatchable, but definitely not good. Frustratingly mid. It will remain a cautionary tale about the dangers of doing too much. The plot had potential but fell apart thanks to weak pacing, shallow themes, flat characters, and a bargain-bin villain. The visuals and Lee Jae Wook’s performance were the saving graces.

Would I recommend it? Only if I wanted to annoy someone.

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Stunning scenery marred by horrendous child abuse and a weird love obsession.

This show had some of the most beautiful cinematography I’ve ever seen in streaming. Gorgeous. However, it was a stark contrast to the ugliness that was going on with the characters who were living amongst that beauty. Many of the parents in this were awful people. Consumed by greed and depravity. To start ,the mother/stepmother, MinYeon, seemed like the worst. Blaming a Jae-yi for her son being missing for 12 years , beating her and treating her like trash even though she was the daughter of her wealthy husband. But then he allowed this to go on. And it is quickly learned that he is worse than her - a selfish POS who cared for no one, even his own children, unless they could help him gain something for himself. He used his adopted son, Mujin, in a power play against MinYeon and when it went bad he abandoned him to die. He cheated on MinYeon and when his mistress got pregnant he abandoned her for his own gain knowing that the former would seek to destroy her. And that wasn’t the worst of his behaviors. He was complicit in the “snow man” kidnapping children and taking them to that psychopathic Prince to be poisoned and severely abused. He supported this depravity because the gain was great fortune and prestige for himself. His behavior was beyond reprehensible and I’m glad he met a horrible demise. Though it was not horrible enough.

Though beautifully acted, the love story almost seemed out of place. Thank goodness the sibling situation got cleared up quickly. Hongrang admitting his feelings to Jae-yi, her rejecting him, finding her own romantic feelings for him being disturbing considering he was her “brother” and deciding to leave town as a result, played well. However, when she found proof that he wasn’t her brother and he confessed that same truth, their sudden decision to run off into the sunset was jarring. As was them making love in a cave knowing the entire world was outside those walls hunting them, and then setting down in that cabin on the mountain top. Their love did have potential but it had not earned that type of intense loyalty. In fact, it was difficult to believe when Jae-yi said she loved him and couldn’t live without him. Where did that love come from? As she’d spent every episode up until that point hating him and waffling between him being or not being her brother.

What seemed more out of place was Mujin’s 180. It was obvious from the start that his love for Jae-yi wasn’t brotherly. However, he always respected the fact that she saw him as her brother. Overall he seemed like a good guy. But by the end of the series he was willing to lie, kill and align himself with a child abuser and killer in order to possess her. So disappointing.

The writing in this was a bit messy. There were several story threads that weren’t fully fleshed out. However, the actors had good chemistry and their performances were outstanding. I felt Hongrang’s anguish and tears over the abuse he suffered as a child. I felt Jaeyi’s heartbreak at the realization that he was suffering from chemical poisoning and dying. I seethed at the delusional and deranged Prince’s arrogance and narcissism. Again, great acting by all. Is this worth watching. Absolutely. Would I watch again. Probably.

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Lee Jae Wook is a swordfighting god...

Watched about 30 KDramas, and my first review, and that is solely because Lee Jae Wook delivers hard. His fight scenes are unbelievable, incredibly impressive. The soundtrack is perfect and Jo Bo Ah is stunning in every way. Honestly, the only thing that brought down my rating was that I feel like it could've done with some more episodes, it deserved more and the story could've done with more time and been expanded upon. I think antagonist needed pulling out a little more. However, it was great! The low rewatch value is only because I don't want to go through that devastation again.

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Pretty,Powerful and Evil

This was a pretty powerful binge, one with great a mounts of beautiful blood splatter, explosions, conspiring, evil, more evil and a huge show of evil, more evil, most evil... confused identities, interesting (also confused) motives and very few genuinely good as in evil vs good type of characters.

The type that may make you loose hope in humanity as well as wonder if the herbs where better in the past as well as be amazed by the healing power of the young and the fearless.

The build up of the first 3-5 episodes is better then the remaining ones, I am not saying it goes down hill from there. It more of an evening out of the field.

The chemistry between the characters is really good. I love the male lead (not only because he is played by Lee Jae Wook, but also because of the way he is written. Fun, faisty, smart and all round a pleasure to watch. His interactions with the female lead are both playful and will make you go wait what, is this okay?

The female lead has a bunch of moments of bad ass cool, fun, confused done well. But also a few really how can she be so stupid, as well as make you wonder how many lives she (and the rest of the cast) has. That said I loved every bit of her screen time and would love to see her a gain.

All in all en interesting watch, the type to cater to all you romance, gore and evil needs.

P.S This is not a drama that will give you SLS at all... At least not me

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The K-drama I never meant to love

I never imagined I'd end up watching this show. While I do enjoy the slow burn of a well-paced K-drama and the tension of a tightly written mystery, this one had everything I typically avoid: graphic violence, unhinged psychopaths, morally questionable revenge arcs, endless swordfights, raw depravity, and—if I’m being honest—Lee Jae Wook, whose past roles never resonated with me.

And yet… I loved this one. In fact, I think I’ve become obsessed with a show that, ironically, centers on the dangers of obsession. The production quality was excellent, the casting felt pitch-perfect, and the soundtrack elevated the entire experience. Most surprising of all, Lee Jae Wook as Hongrang was completely immersive. For the first time, I saw what others had seen in him all along—he didn’t just play the character; he was Hongrang.

So if this drama doesn’t seem like your thing, I encourage you to give it a try anyway. You might find yourself just as drawn in—and amazed—as I was.

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The first satisfying k drama in ages: ambitious, beautiful, and haunting even if suffering from plot holes. . .

Beautifully, cinematically shot with thrilling action scenes, a compelling primary romance plot and secondary conspiracy plot. This had all the elements of a perfect drama.

Even better, there were themes! On how wealth and power corrodes the soul. On the moral cowardice of many and the rare moral courage of a few. On how justice exacts a price. On the abuse many vulnerable children suffer.

Yes there was a core plot for 8 or so episodes and then extended plot ideas for 16 episodes - and somehow they ended up shoving something together for 11.

But I would still urge you to give it a try.

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You made me a man.. the best drama after weak hero class s2 of this year fr

DearHongrang is easily one of the most beautiful and emotionally captivating dramas I’ve watched this year. From start to finish, it left a deep impression on me. I smiled, cried, and felt so connected to the characters and their journey — it was truly a rollercoaster of emotions.
Lee Jae-wook gave a phenomenal performance, showing incredible depth, strength, and vulnerability all at once. His acting felt so real, and you could see how much he poured into his role. BoA also surprised and moved me! she was stunning in her performance, and her presence brought such elegance and heart to the story.
What made the drama even more special was the OST. Every song was beautifully matched with the scenes, making the emotions hit even harder. I’ve already rewatched the whole drama because it was just that good. Every detail — the acting, music, visuals — was done with so much care.
If you’re looking for a drama that truly touches your heart, Dear. Hongrang is it. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

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Lee Jae Wook Strikes Again in a Heartbreaking Historical Masterpiece

First and foremost, after Lee Jae Wook’s last historical drama Alchemy of Souls, he did not disappoint. In Dear Hongrang, he returns as a skilled and agile swordsman—disciplined (or perhaps not entirely)—bringing intensity and emotional depth to his role. Unlike the character Jang Uk, this time he sheds the humor and embraces a darker, more brooding presence. Lee Jae Wook, alongside Jo Bo Ah and an ensemble of elite actors, made this drama a truly memorable experience for me.

The story is dark, often sorrowful, and just when it gives you hope, it tears it away. While the narrative centers on Hongrang, it's not solely about him. It delves into the twisted ideologies of human nature—greed, jealousy, and how the innocent are caught in the crossfire of the wicked. Yet, it also speaks softly but powerfully about love and friendship.

The fight scenes are exceptionally well-executed, with choreography that impresses without feeling overdone. The plot keeps you on edge, weaving suspense and emotion right up until the final moments.

This drama is a heartbreaker—but one you won’t regret watching.

P.S. - the OST is AMAZING!!

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Dear Hongrang, thank you for coming!

The SHOW I WAS WAITING for so LONG, CAME and TOOK a PIECE of MY SOUL.

I was hoping that the long wait would not be in vain, but the show exceeded all my expectations. I never thought that a historical series could captivate me to such a way. I simply couldn't stop watching it. It held my attention the whole time, I didn't find it boring for a single moment, and there were no insignificant, time-consuming scenes in terms of the story. The story depicts difficult and painful events and situations, but all of this was brought to the screen with unusual courage and even more tasteful and beautiful.
The beautiful and heartbreaking love story, we can feel the pain and joy of the young lovers with difficult fates, how they become each other's shelters. A great story about two people, who have nothing but hope, only pain and suffering all around them, yet they fight with their overwhelming and sincere love. The purest love, when you have no one but the person you love, but you don't need anything more, it gives you enough strength for everything, it brings you back to life. Nothing can end this, not even death, because Hongrang is always watching over Jae I. The scenes between FML and ML were beautifully depicted. There were chemistry, tension and passion on the screen.
The fight scenes turned out quite well, I liked that these scenes weren't always moderated, they used effects and colors boldly, and showed everything that was needed.
This was a well-assembled production, with lot of heartbreaking, thrilling scenes and sad, but delightful ending. The last part couldn't be avoided without tears, but from the beginning we could know, what awaits Hongrang, I have rarely seen a more beautiful depiction of the "final farewell". Brilliant implementing.
The last scene was an excellent ending of the story. I am totally under a spell, I am completely captivated by the story.
The OST was amazing , it was a hit!
We could pick holes in it but I don't want to and I don't care about them at all.
Thanks to the production team and all the cast members for this amazing drama!
The world has become a little better place with this show.

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