Dear Hongrang

Weird pacing? Messy plot? No worries, all is forgiven for insane atmospheric vibes and killer OST

I feel like strange pacing and weird plot movements are kind of the standard with most Korean dramas. It's rare to have a tightly written kdrama. So I'm just gonna leave it at that. The plot does come around eventually but the middle arc is janky with a lot of important elements happening off screen. If we take the general purpose of a drama, which is to entertain as its core intention, then Dear Hongrang is one of the more successful dramas I have watched in the last year or two.

I'll get my gripes out of the way with the biggest issue that I had after finishing the whole series was that Lee Jae Wook, as beautiful as he is and insanely talented he is to watch, is not good at showing his simp self for female characters who are, let's just say 'soft'. I loved his dynamic with the female lead(s) in AOS because the women were largely self motivated with a lot of agency and interior agendas that did not revolve around the main lead.

LJW absolutely rose above and beyond in ALL other aspects of his acting. Action? Absolutely kicked ass. Jealousy over other potential love interests? A+++ Trauma? Love it. But Jae Yi's softness is very very nuanced. I think softly melancholic emotional strength is where Cho Bo Ah's acting shines. It encompasses a lot of flavors so when the time came for Hongrang and Jae Yi to build a hopefully tragic lead up to the final arc, it did not really land emotionally for me.

This leads me to talk about the show's strengths. Dear Hongrang is by far the most beautifully put together show in aesthetics in the past few years. There is great thought put into the production design, costume design, cinematography and sound design. The whole watching experience was sublime, if you tune in mainly to the emotional key points. The asian gothic flavors are absolutely my jam and I eat it up like a greedy little piggy. It served me the emotional highs (until the end, as you know) with incredible audio-visual finesse and I was okay with that. This is probably why I was disappointed with the end, because the final arc could not be snazzed up with design alone, it really sat on the actor, director, editor team to pull that emotional gut punch off.

Anyway, all in all, I had a really good time and after a long day at work, I can say I could look forward to my evenings just so I could sit down and get served some excellent feelings.

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An Absolute Masterpiece

Dear Hongrang is a masterpiece that captivates from beginning to end. The storyline is amazing—richly layered with emotional depth, cultural nuance, and compelling twists that keep viewers fully engaged.

The cast is exceptionally talented, bringing their characters to life with great acting that feels both genuine and powerful. Each performance adds emotional weight to the drama, making every scene resonate deeply.

What makes Dear Hongrang especially poignant and moving is its exploration of love, sacrifice, and identity. The emotional undercurrents are skillfully portrayed, leaving a lasting impact.

Visually, the drama is a treat. The excellent cinematography captures both the grandeur and intimacy of the story, enhancing the narrative without overshadowing it.

Altogether, Dear Hongrang is a remarkable drama that combines stellar storytelling, exceptional performances, and stunning visuals. A true gem worth watching.

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I honestly don't know where to begin with my review. I just laughed, cried and frustrated at the same time.
I wished there was more from what was lacking but I think if you add too much sometimes you loose the essence.
It captivated me from ep 1 to last episode, it was moving at its own pace , the OST is something that I even listen to when I want something to keep me cool.
I have loved him from Alchemy of Souls and boy did he not disappoint me , I even wished to see him and Jo Bora again in another drama.
Overall , I loved it though there are some loopholes there and there I still love it.

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Dear Hongrang, this is not just a review—it’s a confession.

This drama has everything. And yes—LEE JAE WOOK.
You could stop right there and that alone would be reason enough to watch it (especially if, like me, you’re weak for his historical roles where he’s the quiet storm of yearning, the warrior with eyes full of ache). But what I thought would just be another watch for my favorite actor turned into something much deeper. I binged it in one go—and it wrecked me in the best way.

There’s action. There’s mystery. But the thing that struck me hardest—and what sets Hong Rang apart—is how beautifully it draws the line between yearning and obsession. One liberates. The other suffocates. And the contrast is portrayed with such nuance that it lingered with me long after the screen went black.

I hadn’t read the original novel. I went in blind, letting the story unfold on its own terms—and that made every moment hit harder.
Lee Jae Wook’s character is written with such depth. His yearning is quiet, subtle, slow-burn—and it hurts. There’s a scene where the tears silently fall from his eyes, and I won’t lie—I broke. I don’t cry easily. But when he cries? I’m gone. And those last episodes? Full emotional devastation. I mean it—my eyes physically hurt from how much I cried.

Then there’s Jae-yi. A woman of fire and fierce resolve, bold even when it lands her in trouble—but never once does she regret it. She grows, she learns, she fights back. And when she finally stands up to that vile excuse of a stepmother? I cheered.
(Side note: I refuse to waste breath on that so-called father. Trash in human form. The actors did their jobs so well I wanted to throw toast at my screen. Yes, toast. I now hate that toast. That’s how deep this goes.)

Now to the infamous love triangle. Enter Sim Mu-jin.
At first? I didn’t care much. He didn’t hold my attention. But then the layers peeled back. And what emerged wasn’t love—it was possession. The kind of obsessive claim that says, you’re mine whether you want it or not. As if she were a prize, not a person. And let me tell you: that contrast? Between his twisted obsession and Lee Jae Wook’s soul-deep yearning? Chef’s kiss. Chilling. Brilliant.

Oh—and yes, I had my guesses early on. I figured out who the painter was, but I did not see the supplier twist coming. If you know, you know.

And finally—that scene. The one where he lays his head in her lap. That moment shattered me. In that quiet, aching moment… something struck me.
Out of nowhere, my mind whispered: Is it better to speak, or to die?

That question didn’t come from the drama—it came from me, because of what it made me feel. And in that moment, I knew my answer.

Hong Rang has officially carved a place in my heart. Not just as a favorite drama, but as a feeling. It’s the ache you can’t explain, the silence that says everything, the kind of love that waits. And in the end, it’s not just something you watch—it’s something you feel.

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Quietly Snuck Up on Me!!!

Dear Hongrang is one of those dramas that quietly sneaks up on you and lingers long after the final scene. It’s a historical genre, one of my favorites, that manages to blend rich storytelling with restrained elegance, never overdone yet deeply affecting.

The plot unfolds slowly, but deliberately. Set in the Joseon era, it follows a young nobleman navigating a forbidden love, personal identity, and societal expectations. The pacing may feel deliberate at first, but that’s part of its strength—the story gives each moment space to breathe. Nothing is rushed, and every scene feels purposeful. Instead, what could’ve easily turned into melodrama becomes a layered exploration of longing and restraint.

Acting-wise, the cast delivers some truly standout performances. The lead actor brings a quiet intensity to the role, and so much is conveyed through subtle expressions and silences. It's the kind of performance where you feel the weight of unspoken words. The chemistry between the leads isn’t explosive but simmering—tension, vulnerability, and deep emotional undercurrents all come through in beautifully nuanced ways. Supporting roles are equally well-cast, grounding the world with emotional authenticity.

Cinematography is another strength of this drama. The use of light, shadow, and natural settings is breathtaking. Scenes often feel like moving paintings, with soft colors and elegant composition heightening emotional weight. There's a poetic quality to the visuals that perfectly matches the tone of the story. Costume and set design are subtle yet detailed, immersing you without being showy.

Emotionally, Dear Hongrang hits in a quiet but powerful way. It’s not about dramatic declarations or sweeping moments, but the ache of things unsaid—the kind of love that’s more about presence than action. By the final episode, you're not just watching characters—you feel like you’ve lived their sorrow, tenderness, and hope. It’s haunting in the best way.

This drama isn’t for those looking for high-speed plot twists or flashy romance. But if you appreciate storytelling with emotional depth, strong performances, and visual grace, Dear Hongrang will stay with you.

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Compelling, moving drama

Dear Hongrang - what a compelling show!

Lee Jae Wook shines in his superb acting, supported by a great overall cast, such as Jo Bo-ah and Jung Ga-ram.

I found the show very moving it how it depicts the cruelty done to and subsequent revenge of Hongrang. It never becomes sentimental despite the deep drama, which is a rarity in current period shows. The relatively modest amount of episodes makes it action packed with a good pace.

The beautiful music fits like a glove and elevates the show, it is that good (do listen to it while the end credits roll over your screen. I added 1 point to the total score for this :-)

Thoroughly enjoyed all of it, thanks for a great watch!!

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Nice tragical romance but messy main plot.

1/ WHAT I LIKED:
- The lead couple and the romance. Good chemistry. The development of their story from antagonism to their closure is well told with a good pace. They look silly at times trying wrong moves but they sure form a strong bond in the end.
- Love triangle: not too annoying as it does not really create confusion between the two leads. SML is just a weasel who hides his true feelings and would scheme any plan to make sure he gets what he desires. In the end, they still gave him a hero ending. Lame.
- Production is good, nice places, landscapes, photography, some nice camera angles.
- The endings of the two male villains are very fun.

2/ WHAT I DID NOT LIKE:
- Main plot involves too many parties who are not well identified and what they want is not clear.
- The mix of human trafficking + struggle for power/wealth+ mystical elements is also confusing at times
- 4 main evil characters are not strong bad guys. First one is a nutjob. Second one is a greedy coward. Third one is just full of hate. Fourth one is a pathetic weasel. And they all bully the main couple.
- 11 eps are prejudicial to the drama. Some elements needed more explanation. It caused also a rushed ending.
- The annoying mother who is just full of hate should not have survived. She was horrible but ended up in her peaceful own world.

3/OST:
Overall, it was good. Just the violin hurt my ears at times.

4/REWATCH:
Probably not.

5/OVERALL:
There are a lot of good things in this drama. I was immersed in it from beginning to the end. Overall, it's entertaining enough. 8.5/10.

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absolutely breathtaking

this show was absolutely brilliant ,every scene was breath taking.From the production to the ost everything was absolutely perfect.LJW’s and JBA’s acting was absolutely craxy the emotions that they were able to portray to make the audience feel it aswell was crazy.KJW was absolutely great HES just perfect for the villain role.I don’t know about anyone else but I loved the romance that they put in this show,the main couple’s chemistry is extraordinary.And I have to say it again that OST was way too good it gave me goosebumps,my first rule is that isf a show has a good ost it’s already top notch.Overwll I would definitely give this a 10/10 everything was too good, the amount is times I cried was crazy.I was a bit disappointed to see the low rating this deserves an 8.5 minimum…but yh

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Good, could've been better.

It's good. Could've been better. The story seems patched-up in various parts. You get the feeling that they are trying too hard.

It's kind of trademark of Netflix produced shows - they try to do lots of things in one go. Sometimes, it works, most times it doesn't.

OST is pretty good, bit boisterous at times. The acting by all actors especially Lee Jae Wook is tremendous.

The story is set in medieval period. Hongrang (LJW) once disappeared, appears again after 12 years as a mercenary. Is he the authentic Hongrang or not? That's what we find later. Why he disappeared? That is one of the main plotline of the story. Another plotline Sim Jae-Yi figuring out whether the Hongrang in front of them is real Hongrang or not.

Should you watch it?
Yes. There is no reason not to watch it unless you're not a fan of LJW, Jo Bo Ah.

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