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Dear Hongrang: What you need to know About the Intense Historical show with Mystery, Romance, & Long-Lost Identities
Mystery, romance, and a storm of suspicion—Dear Hongrang has recently dropped its official trailer, and it’s nothing short of haunting. The emotional intensity between Lee Jae-wook and Cho Bo-ah is already sparking conversations, with viewers obsessing over their electric tension and layered performances.
Led by the powerhouse creative team behind Money Heist: Korea and The Guest, Dear Hongrang promises a moody, high-stakes period drama soaked in secrets and betrayal. The trailer teases lavish hanbok, shadowy lantern-lit corridors, and confrontations that feel like sword fights—without any blades drawn. The chemistry is thick, the past is murky, and the stakes are heartbreakingly personal. Also, let’s not forget the subtle but sharp political undertones that hint at deeper power plays.
What exactly is Hongrang hiding? Why does Jae-yi hesitate to believe the boy she once adored? From cast breakdowns to trailer insights and juicy character dynamics, we’ve unpacked all the major clues. Keep checking back—we’re updating this article as fresh secrets surface. Prepare to dive headfirst into a tale where love is dangerous, truth is slippery, and nothing is ever quite what it seems.
Release date & Where to Watch
The 12-episode Dear Hongrang is set to premiere on Friday, May 16, 2025, on Netflix.
What is the plot of Dear Hongrang?
Dear Hongrang is a captivating historical drama set during the late Joseon Dynasty, focusing on the mysterious return of a long-lost heir. The story follows Hongrang, who disappeared as a child at the age of eight while searching for camellia flowers for his half-sister, Jae-yi. Years later, Hongrang returns to the powerful Sim merchant household, but he has no memory of his past, sparking suspicion and intrigue among those around him.
Jae-yi, who has endured hardship under an abusive stepmother and neglectful father, refuses to give up hope and desperately searches for her brother. When Hongrang reappears, Jae-yi struggles to accept him as her sibling despite the growing tension between them. As secrets unravel, Jae-yi embarks on a journey to uncover the truth about Hongrang’s disappearance and the identity of the man who claims to be him.
As mysteries unfold and family secrets come to light, Dear Hongrang promises an intense blend of mystery, romance, and historical intrigue.
Who’s in the cast of Dear Hongrang?
- Lee Jae-wook (Alchemy of Souls) as Hong Rang
- Jo Bo-ah (Destined with You) as Jae-i
- Jung Ga-ram (Love Alarm) as Moo-jin, the adopted son of the Sim family who took Hongrang’s place.
- Uhm Ji-won (Little Women) as Min Yeon-eui, Hongrang’s mother
- Park Byeong-eun (The Bequeathed, Kingdom: Ashin of the North) as Sim Yeol-gook, the family’s chief merchant and father
- Kim Jae-wook (Melo Movie) as Grand Prince Han Pyeong, an artist with refined taste
Is There a Trailer for Dear Hongrang?
The official trailer for Dear Hongrang unveils a gripping tale of identity, memory, and forbidden love set against the backdrop of Joseon-era Korea. The narrative centers on Hongrang, who returns after a decade-long disappearance with no recollection of his past, and his half-sister Jae-yi, who harbors doubts about his true identity.
The trailer also hints at a web of secrets and power struggles within the Sim merchant household, suggesting that Hongrang's return may be more than a mere family reunion.
Check out the full trailer below.
The teaser trailer begins with the mysterious disappearance of Hongrang as a child. Twelve years later, a grown-up Hongrang returns to the influential Sim merchant family, but with no recollection of his past. His half-sister, Jae-yi, rejects his claim, accusing him of being an imposter. As tension escalates, Jae-yi questions his true identity, and Hongrang challenges her to uncover the truth.
An inside look at the on-screen chemistry between Lee Jae-hyuk and Jo Boa.
When & Where did Dear Hongrang film?
Production for Dear Hongrang commenced on October 4, 2023, and wrapped up on May 31, 2024. (via Whats-on-Netflix) Filming took place across various locations, including Seoul, South Korea. (via IMDb)
Behind the Scenes
Dear Hongrang (Korean: 탄금) is an upcoming South Korean mystery melodrama sageuk television series, written by Kim Jin-ah and directed by Kim Hong-sun.
Based on Jang Da-hye’s novel Hong Rang: Swallowing Gold, the series is produced by Studio Dragon, Ace Maker Movie Works, and H House, with IO Content Group as a co-producer. Netflix will be the exclusive worldwide distributor of the series.
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