Wasn't super good, but wasn't super bad either
This review is mostly going to be me complaining, so I want to emphasize up front that this series does have good parts to it. The acting is solid and the cinematography is gorgeous. I loved the costumes as well. There are good scenes and initially the pacing of the story is good. The premise is interesting and it remains intriguing through part of the show. But it starts to fall apart near the end, could've been helped by being a bit longer, and the story is a bit messy in parts.For me, the romance plot isn't great. It's a bit rushed, like a switch was flipped and suddenly they're madly in love with each other. I also didn't really feel much chemistry between the leads. It's weird, because the actors are both solid, but yeah, I just didn't feel that spark between them. I also think "fakecest" just isn't my thing so it could be that the very premise of their romance was never going to work for me.
The plot was a bit messy and occasionally a bit of a letdown, including the resolution of the mysteries. There are a couple of mysteries ongoing, and I really didn't like how the show handed you the answers super easily. It was just a letdown and a waste of all that dramatic buildup. There are times when backstory information seems to contradict each other. The plot towards the end is a bit rushed as well, which unfortunately isn't too uncommon these days with shorter kdramas instead of the 16- or 20-episode long ones that we used to get. There are a couple of things that didn't make sense to me about the ending, but whatever.
Tbh I'm not sure why I finished this show. It certainly was intriguing in parts, but towards the end I just felt obligated to finish it since I had made it so far. Once again, I think the actors did an admirable job, but this wasn't remotely a standout drama or one that I'll remember.
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Good on paper, poor when executed
Starring Lee Jae Wook, Dear Hongrang is a blend of historical romance, mystery and melodrama set against a backdrop of betrayal and deceit.The drama started well, with flashbacks of sibling love and the mystery of snow man in the story, a praiseworthy cinematography and the most important highlight of the show - the soundtrack. The romance between the leads was sudden and not well-developed. It was as if they fell in love simply because the story needed to move forward, and for no other reason. They had no on-screen chemistry, and they were not given enough time to form a bond that would justify the decisions they made.
The mystery element was taken over by politics and also the antagonist arc was underdeveloped leading to a messy and chaotic ending. Many character arcs were not even touched, especially of the snow man that has been talked about from the start. The only thing that truly did wonders in the whole drama was the haunting yet beautiful soundtrack.
A good fantasy drama on the paper with a subpar execution and unexplored characters holds back Dear Hongrang from becoming a praiseworthy drama.
My Rating : 2.5/5
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1The More You Watch, The More You Love
OVERVIEW:Dear Hongrang (Tangeum) is a sorrowful and gripping exploration of obsession, grief, and the violent yearning for belonging. Draped in mystery and laced with the emotional decay of a fractured household, the series begins with a tragedy and unravels into a slow-burning, multilayered descent into personal and political ruin.
At the center is Hongrang, heir to a vast merchant guild, who vanished mysteriously at the age of eight. His disappearance shattered the already fractured household. His mother, Min Yeon-ui, spirals into madness and addiction, while his father, Sim Yeol-guk, steps in to lead the association and, believing his son is dead, adopts Mu-jin, a shrewd and loyal orphan trained to be the new successor. The only one who refuses to stop searching is Jae-i, Hongrang’s half-sister, marginalized in her own home but bound to her brother by a childhood bond so deep it haunts her every step.
Twelve years later, a mysterious young man appears, scarred in all the right places, claiming to be the long-lost Hongrang. Yeon-ui is ecstatic. Jae-i is unconvinced. Mu-jin is threatened. What follows is not just a battle over inheritance, but over truth, memory, and identity.
COMMENTARY:
I didn’t expect Dear Hongrang to get under my skin the way it did. At first, it felt like too much, and suddenly, I was in it. Heart clenched, eyes stinging, trying not to see myself in people I didn’t want to relate to.
What hit me the hardest was the quiet collapse between Jae-i, Hongrang, and Mu-jin. It wasn’t loud or clean, but was the kind of heartbreak that just sits in the room with you.
Jae-i reminded me of what it’s like to be strong only because you have no choice. The way she holds herself - stiff, careful, almost too proud to admit she’s tired - I’ve seen that posture in people I love. I’ve worn it. And when she starts to let someone in, when her shoulders drop just a little, when her voice softens, I felt this stupid lump in my throat. Because I know how hard that is. To trust again after everything’s been taken from you.
Hongrang… god. He doesn’t even have to say much. He walks like someone who doesn’t expect to be missed. There’s this heaviness to him that made me uncomfortable at times, like watching someone who doesn’t believe they’re real anymore. But when he’s with Jae-i, when they just look at each other, it’s like the world pauses. It made me think of all the people I’ve tried to reach who were already halfway gone. People I wanted to save. People who maybe didn’t want to be saved.
And Mu-jin. I don’t think I was ready for Mu-jin. His pain is so quiet, it’s easy to miss, until you realize it’s everywhere. I saw a part of myself in him that I don’t like talking about. That feeling of being overlooked. Of loving someone who’s already looking past you. He doesn’t rage; he just aches. And I know that feeling too well. That desperate, silent kind of love that you pretend is enough, even when it’s killing you.
The show is gorgeous, sure - the forests, the candlelight, the jewelry, all of it. But that’s not what stayed with me. What stayed was the silence between scenes. The long stares. The unsaid things. The kind of tension that feels exactly like grief: stretched out, dull at first, then suddenly overwhelming.
Dear Hongrang wasn't trying to shock. It was trying to sit with me. Like grief does. Like guilt does. Like love does when it turns into something heavier. It’s not a drama about getting revenge or solving a mystery. It’s about what happens when the person you were dies, and you’re still here, expected to keep living anyway.
Every character in this show is holding on to something already gone. And maybe that’s why it wrecked me. Because I’ve done that. I’m probably still doing that. And the show doesn’t tell you it’ll get better. It just tells you to look at it. To let the ache exist. To stop pretending you can fix it by going back.
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Mystery sageuk falls flat with underbaked story elements
Lee Jae Wook once again returns with a sageuk k-drama but this time not as an heir of a mage family but of a wealthy merchant. One might think this is just a repeat of his role in Alchemy of Souls but that is completely untrue because in Dear Hongrang, he presents himself as the long-lost son of the merchant family or so we thought.It doesn't last long though until we discovered the truth. Kudos to Jae Wook's composed and guarded personality it was truly hard to decipher if he's just a charlatan or the real Hongrang.
The mystery surrounding Hongrang's disappearance got me hooked, however, little did I know the writer failed to put some effort in writing the background story about the child-snatcher creature. I actually expected some fantasy elements to unfold to create a more rich and engaging narrative but it turns out there is barely witchcraft involved? Perhaps I got this wrong because this was not explained clearly at all.
Jo Bo Ah plays the role of Hongrang's stepsister, Sim Jae I, who carries the guilt of her brother's disappearance and never ceases to look for him. Bo-Ah consistently acts out the misery and despair she felt in the household ever since her little brother brother never came back. Her family alienated her especially her stepmom who is distraught as ever and blames her for Hongrang's disappearance.
Jae I thought her sea of sorrow would finally come to an end when Jae Wook's character claims to be as Hongrang. With just one glance, she argues that he's just another fake in contrast with the physical evidences.
Now that I think about, I feel like this Hongrang was not thoroughly assessed at all compared to the previous wannabes. I would just like to think that he certainly pulled some strings to easily match Hongrang's physical attributes.
In the first episode, Jae I was shown running away from thugs and gamblers after tricking them to earn some money to continue looking for Hongrang. However, this aspect was never brought up again and it left me wondering how Jae I deceived these delinquents every single time. This would have added more depth and strength to Jae I's personality. Not that I dislike her fear towards her stepmom and her yearning for her little brother, it's just that I believe her character could be so much more–be the stubborn and headstrong sister than this damsel-in-distress she came to be.
As the largest merchant family in the Joseon era, we also had a glimpse of how influential and powerful Hongrang and Jae I's family is. A tangled web of deceit and betrayal is just a normal day for them. I enjoyed this portion of the show because they made parallels and metaphors about authentic and imitation paintings which feels like a hindsight to Hongrang's true identity.
You can't talk about Dear Hongrang without mentioning the fiery chemistry between Jae Wook and Bo Ah. Though they are step-siblings, some tension is formed between them because as Bo Ah doubts Jae Wook's character. This strong dislike gradually morphs into confusion and attraction. This is a huge dilemma for Bo Ah since the little brother who is very dear to her is now someone she sees as a man. All of Bo Ah's pent-up emotions left her distressed and overwhelmed more than ever. Meanwhile, Jae Wook is the very flame that beckons the moth, kindling the fire in Bo Ah's heart. They were supposed to have a siblings bonding time in the woods but Jae Wook being the horny and flirty man that he is made it more sensual and flirty. This scene was definitely an unforgettable moment in the show.
I was ecstatic for the ending because I would finally learn all the answers and secrets everyone is hiding. However, the resolution is the weakest point of the show. I was expecting they would have connected the plot points effectively but lo and behold everything went down the drain and felt rushed. There were too many loose ends to tie up, too many unanswered questions and too many WTF moments. I'm well aware that some explanations don't need to be spelled out and they are often up for viewer's interpretation. However, how are we supposed to connect the dots when the information that is doled out is inconsistent and ambiguous. It feels like the story never truly addressed the mystery and solely focused on Hongrang and Jae I being star-crossed lovers.
To sum up, what appears to be an intriguing mystery sageuk ultimately falls flat due to underdeveloped story and messy finale. With all that said, I still believe this is worth watching as I once again get to witness Lee Jae Wook's versatile acting and impressive swordmanship and of course, his face card that never declines which erases some of my criticisms about this show.
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From Promise to Pure Nonsense: Good Cast, okish ost, and a Storyline So Dumb It Should Be Illegal
Let me give credit where it’s due — the cast did a solid job with what they were given, and the OST was genuinely enjoyable at times. That’s the only reason I made it through to the end.Now onto the absolute trainwreck that was the story. Where do I even start?
This drama began with a sliver of potential, but that was quickly thrown out the window. It started good, ended bad — and then repeated that same loop, over and over. Just when you thought it was finding direction, it veered straight back into nonsense. It made sense for a moment, then completely lost the plot — like the writers were just pulling random garbage out of a hat each episode.
And yes — they even tried to subtly (or not so subtly) slide in an incest subplot between a so-called brother and sister. Why? Absolutely no clue. It was uncomfortable, unnecessary, and added nothing. Instead of shock value, it just came off as desperate and gross.
The "kill rate portals" or whatever sci-fi-fantasy element they were trying to introduce had zero context or explanation. Characters were killed left and right without any emotional weight or logical progression. No backstory, no world-building, no consequences — just violence for the sake of filling screen time.
The plot had no spine, no direction, and no payoff. It was like the writers had a dartboard full of random plot twists and decided to go with whatever they hit that day. Conflicts were introduced and dropped at will. Motivations? Nowhere to be found. Continuity? Who needs that?
By the end, it was just a mess of pointless scenes, forced emotions, and empty action. A waste of a talented cast and a decent soundtrack.
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All over the place, wonderful acting
Didn't doubt Jo Boa's and Lee Jaewok's acting and it didn't disappoint, but the writing was really messy and all over the place, writer was on a mission to kill every character, this felt like it was competing with Scarlet Heart in character death. They should have used actors' skills way better with this cast, only point for great visuals, there were beautiful scenes, The romance was so rushed that that it wasted whole potential, it started in a weird way and continued even more weirdly.Story started to be intriguing but after developing it flopped badly, what type of series are 11 eps?!
Many things didn't made sense, creating and giving so much attention to "snow man" story so dramatically and then just leave it hanging, husband-wife drama was given too much screentime(and it was still confusing) instead of using it for better overall plot development.
FL was dramatically weak, it was unrealistic to make her that weak when she should have been looking for her brother for years(that would teach her one or two things in life definitely).
Overall, unnecessarily rushed and messy, so much that if I didn't look for details about novel I wouldn't get most of the things.
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Great acting, disturbing scenes, for a hard story
The story is interesting and the acting is great by everyone involved, but there are some plot holes and the story starts getting messy. There's not warning for torture scenes, specially torture of kids, and it was very disturbing. At the end, everything was connected to this crazy man and that feels a little lazy. Is worth watching, but not memorable.I particularly appreciated the work of the main leads, they deffo deliver all the emotions involved in their roles. That being said, their love story is kind of rush, they could have added more development for that enemies to lovers.
There are more hatable characters than the usual so that's a downside, and also the "invencible man" character of the ML. Seriously he can kill 20+ soldiers alone? Please.
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A pretty good watch!
Dear. Hongrang is a historical action-romance drama that catches your attention with its stunning visuals, sword fights, and intense storyline. With only 11 episodes, it delivers a fast-paced narrative filled with twists, betrayals, and emotional turns. While it leaves an impression, it also leaves the viewer wishing there was more—more depth, more build-up, and more time to connect with the characters and the world they live in.At first glance, Dear. Hongrang seems like another typical period drama, but what makes it stand out is its unique mix of action and emotional complexity. The story follows the journey of characters caught in the turmoil of political conspiracies, personal vendettas, and complicated relationships. The plot certainly has potential and offers quite a few twists. However, one of the noticeable drawbacks is the lack of proper build-up leading to these turning points. Major events often happen so abruptly that there’s little time for viewers to digest or emotionally invest in them. Had the series been longer—say 16 or even 20 episodes—many of these moments could have had a more significant impact.
The pacing, unfortunately, feels rushed. Plot lines are introduced and resolved quickly, leaving little room for character development or exploration of backstories. There are emotional scenes that could have hit harder if the narrative allowed them to breathe. Despite these limitations, the cast delivers commendable performances. The actors portray their roles with depth and sincerity, which helps keep the viewers engaged even when the script falters in places.
Visually, Dear. Hongrang is a treat. The cinematography captures the essence of the historical setting beautifully. The action scenes, particularly the sword fights, are well choreographed and contribute to the thrill. The OSTs (original soundtracks) are another highlight. They are both haunting and melodic, perfectly complementing the mood of each scene and adding emotional weight where the script sometimes falls short.
This is a show for those who enjoy historical dramas filled with action, swordsmanship, and intense storylines. If you're into dramas with royal intrigue, tragic romances, and a darker tone, *Dear. Hongrang* is likely to appeal to you. However, if you’re looking for something lighthearted or expect a happy ending, you might want to skip this one. The ending leans toward the tragic side, which might not sit well with everyone.
In summary, Dear. Hongrang is a visually compelling, action-packed series with a promising storyline. It’s great for a one-day binge, especially if you’re in the mood for something dramatic and intense. However, the limited number of episodes makes the plot feel rushed and underdeveloped in parts. A longer format could have made this series exceptional by giving more room for world-building and emotional connection. Still, it’s worth watching for the action sequences, performances, and breathtaking visuals. Just be warned—this is not a story that ends with sunshine and rainbows.
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A visual feast with mediocre taste, spiced with some excellent acting.
Cinematography - 7/10The colors, lights, forests and scene progressions and cut-aways were all nicely done.
OST - 10/10
Burning Petals by 4BOUT (and LJW) were the saving grace of this drama. I found the fusion of Indian and Mongolian throat singing in the OST simply delightful. I am paying the song to live rent free in my head.
Plot - 6/10
The premise was sound. But execution was mediocre and messy with glaring loopholes. Moreso because the secondary xters and extras did more for the story line than the leads especially the FL and ML2. Individually, the ML more or less carried the day. his acting was exceptional and he embodied his xter to the fullest (probably because the script writers factored in his skill set and acting style).
The ML and FL lacked any chemistry in all aspects, and the 0-120MPH speed with with Mu Jin suddenly turned into a stereotypical Saeguk misogynistic fascist will give you whiplash.
The almost incestuous feel of the relationship between the ML and FL cast a distasteful shadow over the story line. If the sibling relationship had been left as is (with maybe a deep affection developing between ML and FL, with ML doing what he did to protect her without wanting to jump her bones at the slightest opportunity, THAT would have worked better).
Aside from LJW, props to Min Yeon Ui for giving as good as she got from Yeol Guk (another masterful actor who brought the appropriate level of gravitas to his role. Lee Jae Wook and Kim Jae Wook xters played off well against each other with Kim bringing a quietly brilliant menace to the screen). You could feel her grief and pain, likewise her unrelenting hatred towards Jae I.
Another plot hole was the nameless, unknown killer ghost, who randomly flew across the screen until he was laid to rest by the ML. Who or what he was and the why of him, remains an abyss in this drama.
Choreography - 10/10
It was a relief that the fight scenes lived up to expectations. Those who needed killing were dispatched with a satisfactory level of slice and dice (not some minor cuts with the ML always playing defense. The Soul Reaper lived up to his name).
Why Mu Jin was not terminated with extreme prejudice (as he well deserved) and was allowed to go gently into that bloody night, was quite irritating.
As mentioned previously, the supporting cast did a lot to carry this drama - Hongrangs's mute companion, the soul reaper's 'brother assassins', Prince Hanpyeong . All brought their A-game to this drama.
Dear Hongrang,
Expectations were high, but you fell off the cliff needlessly. Thankfully, you kept things short and fast-paced when needed.
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The drama manages to deliver a lot despite being very dense and having limited time to tell the story, with only eleven episodes when most costume dramas would take at least sixteen. And although the story doesn’t always flow together seamlessly, it gives us plenty of character moments, opportunities for reflection, and space to sit in the silence that lurks between the intense swordfights and the melodrama of the narrative.
There is a heightened soapy drama at play here with some interesting clichés and tropes, but the story still maintains to ground itself with its rawness, the acting, and the beautiful cinematography that just makes the world it’s set in richer. The narrative successfully amplifies the viewer’s emotions, as well as the ambition and intensity of the characters. The story manages to keep you in fascinated suspense most of the time, even though the episodes perhaps rely a bit too much on flashbacks and sometimes lacked balance between the side-plots.
I must say that I found the story sometimes too melancholic, and the gloomy atmosphere it created tiring to watch, even though the plot and characters kept me captivated. I took the occasional breaks in the middle of an episode and returned to it when I was ready. The story is heavy, as if it’s pressing down on us just like the characters’ past does.
And yet Dear Hongrang never seemed to try to be brutal just for the sake of being brutal. It seemed as if every terrible death we were shown was there to move the story forward or shed light on the cruelty in this melancholic, difficult, and harsh world that these characters find themselves in.
The love story between the main characters wasn’t for me, even though I enjoyed the chemistry, the tropyness as well as the longing glances. But I found it came on rather too suddenly, and I felt the episodes actually had enough to do with the mystery and family drama.
Dear Hongrang was a gloomy, demanding, and highly dramatic watch with a fascinating mystery and a heavy tone that is certainly not for everyone. But the pain of the narrative and the longing that the story carries and the sorrow of the characters stays with you for some time.
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Epic but flawed, I wish the forbidden romance would have been even angstier
This historical drama, full of mystery, grabbed my attention from start with its very dark story involving both fantasy elements and intricate family relationships. There is a couple of bonds that are quite taboo that provided in the first half the angst I enjoy so much. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed by the pacing and some writing choices regarding the forbidden romance. Despite this, I truly enjoyed the ending, it might feel a bit rushed in terms of plot but it left me a really impactful and memorable impression.I was mostly satisfied with the cast with maybe one exception : Jo Bo Ah. Her chemistry with Lee Jae Wook was really lacking to me. I believed much more in Lee Jae Wook's acting than Jo Bo Ah, that's why I am singling her out. Outside of her character's relationship, the heroine role in itself was pretty annoying. It was alright at first but as the show progressed she felt more and more bland, rather useless. I'm not sure if the main issue is with the script or the actress, but it clearly was the weakest point of the drama.
The production value was the strongest point of the series. The OST was simply amazing and the making was solid as well. Overall the combination of visuals, beautifully filmed fighting scenes, epic music and shocking violence was a great mix. However, the editing felt as some point a bit choppy with some shift between episode that could have been better.
I would truly recommend this series to people looking for an historical drama focusing more on angsty relationship with an hefty amount of horrific mystery rather than deep political content. I loved the dark side of this story and its intense finale despite the writing flaws.
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Messy …
Acting + casting was great but damn did the plot have many holes in it.No back story on who the Snow Man truly was and why Hongrang (little brother) saw him in his dreams.
Painter as a villain lacked a convincing villain arc, just felt very forced + cliche.
Jae-yi and Hongrang’s romance felt very rushed and almost out of nowhere, considering the lack of interactions they had for it to progress to the intensity it did was strange. Generally these types of dramas are more than 11 eps and are more like 20 episodes to fully flesh out the characters.
No closure on what happened to Knot-nim in the end. Also wished they would have dived more into In-hoe’s story.
The whole poisoning thing from the arsenic + alum made no sense that it had effects years later when in reality it would have had more immediate effects when they were children. Hongrang is fine for over a decade from the poisoning but suddenly starts feeling the effects. Genuinely made no sense.
The FL felt very weak and straight up stupid at times with how she’d constantly wander off alone with no proper weapons and acted all defenseless, constantly needing to be saved. In the 12 years when Hongrang went missing and she started her search for him I find it unbelievable she really didn’t learn any martial art skills considering the types of people she was interacting with in secret.
Overall very confusing and nonsensical plot that didn’t come together and felt incredibly rushed at times.
Sloppy script writing however the cast were excellent.
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