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Dear Hongrang (or Dear Hongrangfor the more French-speaking among us), it was the The historic K-drama I've been waiting for in the first half of 2025. And for good reason: it's on, Lee Jae-wook (unforgettable in Alchemy of Souls), Jo Bo-ah (Tale of the Nine Tailed, Knock Off ), as well as Jung Ga-Ram, Park Byung-Eun, Kim Jae-Wook and Uhm Ji-Won. A five-star cast, an intriguing synopsis and a visibly polished aesthetic... Suffice to say, I was ready.
Adapted from the novel Tangeum: Swallowing Gold consisting of 11 episodes broadcast on Netflix, Dear Hongrang plunges us into a dark and tragic Korea during the Joseon era. The story opens with a chilling scene: a young boy on the run in a snowy forest, stalked by a figure with long white hair. The boy is Hongrang. The next day, he disappears without a trace.
A mysterious return, an impostor... or not?
Twelve years later, a young man (Lee Jae-wook) reappears and introduces himself as Hongrang. He says he survived by becoming a soldier, but he has no memory of his childhood. Physical marks, a scar... everything seems to fit. Everything except the eyes of Jae-yi (Jo Bo-ah), his half-sister, who doesn't recognize the man she's been looking for. She doubts. And she's right.
It soon becomes clear that this return is not as straightforward as it seems. That it's not his brother. And that this impostor has a much darker past than he lets on: that of a murderer nicknamed Soul Ripper (soul reaper in French). And yet, as the episodes unfold, an ambiguous, troubling... and sincere relationship develops between them.
What I liked
I loved the atmosphere. From the very first minutes, the tone is set: dark, mysterious, with that blue filter shimmering over every shot. The direction is meticulous, the framing sublime, and the soundtrack... wow. Special mention to Burning Petals by 4BOUT that literally sends shivers down your spine, and Fate of Tejong for its more poetic flights.
The story grabbed me immediately. Between political intrigue, family secrets and thwarted romance, it's hard to know where to turn. I particularly liked the dynamic between Mu-ji, the adopted heir, Jae-yi, and the fake Hongrang. This love triangle, discreet at first, gradually becomes the emotional heart of the story. And the romance, though secondary at first, ends up becoming one of the drama's strongest elements.
Palpable tension, a double-edged identity
The drama isn't just about romance or dramatic comebacks. It's about revenge, buried pain, children sacrificed in the name of art (yes, really), power struggles and pretense. Jae-yi, promised to a violent man, fights as much for her freedom as for the truth. Mu-ji, a silent lover, tries to protect her, knowing that she may not choose him. And the impostor, tortured both literally and figuratively, seems himself to vacillate between manipulation and true love.
The Snow Man, a ghostly figure responsible for the disappearance of children, adds an extra layer of darkness. As does the deranged painter, linked to a powerful art guild, who exploited the victims for his work. Creepy, but terribly gripping.
What I didn't like
Let's be honest: 11 episodes is too short. This drama had the material to make 16. Some arcs are rushed, especially towards the end. Some action scenes become confusing (I had to think several times to understand who was with whom). And that ending...
Min Yeon-eui (Uhm Ji-won). Photo : Netflix
This bitter-sweet ending brings the characters' journey to a close, but the whole thing leaves a taste of confusion. Lee Jae-wook himself responded to this criticism, explaining that Netflix had chosen to cut certain explanations from this rather dense story, while reassuring us that he had found the editing to be well done.
And yet...
I was moved. I vibrated. I wept. I believed in it. And even if everything isn't perfect, I could see it again. Dear Hongrang just to understand what I missed the first time. To relive the constant tension, the meaningful silences, the fragile chemistry between Jae-yi and her fake brother. Because yes, this drama is also a story of impossible, but overwhelming love.
This series doesn't need a season 2 in my opinion.
A series that leaves no one indifferent. That's why I'd rate it a 9/10. Have you seen it? What did you think of it?
