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Dear Hongrang premiered on Netflix on May 16. While the makers have made sure not to leave you guessing every week, they do want you to check out a few details before tuning into the historical mystery romance, also titled Tangeum, starring Alchemy of Soul star Lee Jae Wook and Tale of the Nine Tailed actor Jo Bo Ah. The K-drama revolves around the lives of Hong Rang and his half-sister, Jae Yi.
Dear Hongrang marks Lee Jae Wook’s second stint in the world of sword-wielding, hanbok-wearing heroes. However, for Jo Bo Ah, the show’s success is important as it comes after her mega project with Kim Soo Hyun was cancelled because of the actor’s controversy. Set in the Joseon era, the backdrop for many South Korean historical shows, the K-drama explores the mysterious relationship that develops between the protagonists.
The Netflix original K-drama has been marketed as a unique blend of three genres: mystery, melodrama, and historical. The storyline itself is quite interesting, and it’s safe to say that the makers have entered untouched territory. It begins with Hong Rang’s sudden disappearance. One day, the long-lost son of Joseon’s biggest merchant guild reappears, but with all his memories wiped away. What follows is a series of strange and mysterious events. No one is happier than his half-sister Jae Yi, who spent years desperately searching for him, only to end up questioning his identity after noticing strange behaviour. Knowing him inside out since childhood, Jae Yi starts having doubts that, despite having the same face and almost identical habits, this person who reappeared doesn’t quite fit into Hong Rang’s shoes. Yet, she can’t stop herself from forming an inexplicable emotional bond. The show also includes a stepson arc, the adopted son of Min Sang Dan, Mu Jin (Jung Ga Ram), who is the direct successor of the association.
Netflix is betting big on the stellar cast of the K-drama, who have already delivered multiple hits on the streamer, including Alchemy of Souls, Destined with You, Tale of the Nine Tailed, Military Prosecutor Doberman, and more. Lee Jae Wook dons a hanbok again for the role of Hong Rang, a character who is complex and conflicted from the very start. He returns to his village with a secret, but his attraction and confusion toward Jae Yi spark inner conflicts and tension. Jo Bo Ah plays Jae Yi, the only person who suspects Hong Rang and senses something is off, even as no one else is convinced by her observations. As the poster suggests, their relationship, which begins as a war of nerves, gradually shifts into attraction. Meanwhile, Park Byung Eun’s Sim Yeol Guk brings a villainous edge as the power-hungry guild leader. Uhm Ji Won plays Min Yeon, the landlady of Minsangdan, who will do anything to protect Hong Rang, the long-lost son who has just returned. Kim Jae Wook stars as Grand Prince Han Pyeong. As director Kim Hong Sun describes, “The actors performances make each character’s deep narrative shine, from confusion, suspicion, tension, and a war of nerves to affection, friendship, and love, as well as the ensemble that goes beyond mystery and melodrama. “
The acclaimed showrunner behind Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area wants viewers to also pay attention to the technical details that set this Joseon period drama apart from others. Unlike the usual village setups with forts, concrete walls, and horses running around, Dear Hongrang features evocative set pieces. Take a closer look at the carefully crafted costumes, and you might find answers to questions you hadn’t thought of. Even the music and production design in the K-drama are carefully chosen to fit the theme and capture the overall mood, varying from character to character. Some of the most impressive details appear in the stills showing the interior of Minsangdan, highlighting the lifestyle of Joseon’s merchant class, a rich display of colours and styles rarely seen in typical rich-prince-poor-girl stories. The cinematography is emotionally powerful and creates a deeply immersive experience for viewers. The powerful background score by 4BOUT brings out the old-time feel, meanwhile, Kwon Jin Ah’s vocals capture the growing feelings between Hong Rang and Jae Yi.
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