Dear Hongrang

exquisite storytelling with a masterpiece Ost

the story is narrated beautifully and captures the characters progression clearly through the episodes.
even if you feel that the story is a common fable, I ensure that it isn't.
the story, the characters, the twists and the plot only seem to get better throughout the story.
I this is a thriller of its own kind.
it shows grief, aching, longing, sorrow
the cliff hangers very not bearable for me because I was very enraptured by the story.
the actors did an amazing job portraying their roles.
the entire Dear HONGRANG team deserves huge credit for bringing forth such a masterpiece.

Read More

Turn out it is pretty impressive and touching to watch

I did not expect much at first but now I am writing a review for this movie but here I am. I have to admit it leaves a remarkable impression watching this show, the whole series can be obsessive.

Lee Jae Wook in Alcemy of Souls grown up to Lee Jae Wook in Dear Hongrang....Made it looks like he fits in historical drama perfectly.

Obviously, the culture and historical background of the Joseon era can be strict but this is another one to appreciate how much of a blessing we have living in this era.

The 1st time watching left me feeling unsettled with the sadness, darkness, tragic and gloomy. But the acting of Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah made me re-watch couple of times. Every time re-watching, another layer of meaning is peeled off. Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah projected lively, subtle and authentic chemistry between Hongrang and Jae Yi. Somehow from suspicion and doubts in the beginning developed subtly to deeply and passionately in love with each other at the end. They both suffered from deep trauma and abuses, is that the reason why they fall for each other? Lee Jae Wook portrait Hongrang's trauma and pains so well to the point I wonder how he would be able to get out of that character. Hopefully it is not too deep for him to get out.

The plot contained so much blood, gore, violence and child abduction that was the part I don't appreciate. I understand they try to show how much of the greed and madness human being can be... Hopefully it is not too harsh for some people. In terms of harsh topic, I think this one can be compared with the Painted Skin (2008) but Dear Hongrang is no doubt a next level. From acting, actors/actress to soundtracks, culture, background aesthetics... From the white hanbok in the fight between the assassins to the subtle beauty of the background...are perfectly fit.

I reckon Yoamjae by Kwon Jin Ah is the best soundtracks among this list. Her voice delivers the passionate remarkable part of the series. The moments when Jae Yi floated in the rivers and their intimate moments in the cave next to the firewoods. It was really touching when Jae Yi was about to see Hongrang shoulder but his tears shed showed how much of the pains, disgust and agony he had carried such scars on his back. He did not want to reveal that part of himself to Jae Yi just because he cares about her. It is painful and tearing to see that moment.

Soundtracks successfully delivered the heavy, dark and gore theme of this show... even though I hope it was not that dark and heavy...

The prince by Kim Jae Wook is pretty impressive. His ugly, distorted mindset with deceptive obsession and illusion for torturing children, distorted arts and dark magics are well masked underneath the angelic, scholar and royal look outside. Kim Jae Wook somehow delivered these character from one side to the other very well.

The beautiful part of Dear Hongrang is the tragic connection and chemistry of the main characters from my point of view, it worth watching for that reason. I think if we expect the pink-roses and happy ending to satisfy us then it would not deliver the harsh truth of life. That is somewhere somehow someone are suffering from mistreatment of lunatic, psycho, ignorance people. Everyone deserves to be treated kindly and equally. Somehow I wonder how much of suffering those people had to go through... Well, karma works, the ending was reasonable enough to make sure it does not leave sad ending even though I wish a worth ending for Hongrang and Jae Yi - perhaps wishing for one in their next life.


Even though I was hoping for a better ending or a season 2 for this series. I have to admit the 11 episodes packed enough details and explanation.

Read More

Dear Hongrang (Tangeum) is, without a doubt, a masterpiece.
A perfect blend of memorable performances, atmospheric music, and an enigmatic, intriguing plot that captivates you from the first episode to the last.
For me, this drama establishes itself as one of the most unexpected and powerful gems of the year.

Dear Hongrang is a painful and moving exploration of grief, obsession, and that violent longing to belong to someone or something — to be acknowledged, to be loved.
It’s a story marked by revenge, hatred, the past, resentment, forgiveness, and the invisible wounds we all carry within.

Perfect performances, without exception
The actors deliver performances that border on perfection.

Lee Jae-wook, in the role of Hongrang, gives us a performance that is as vulnerable as it is powerful. Each scene is a display of restrained emotions that strike the viewer without the need for words. He confirms, once again, his ability to shine in intense, dark, and emotionally complex roles.

Jo Bo-ah, as Jae-yi, is simply captivating — a seemingly ordinary woman burdened with a heavy desire: to find her brother. Without realizing it, she becomes the soul of the series. Her gentleness, quiet strength, and determination are unforgettable.

Jung Ga-ram delivers a flawless performance, full of emotional tension. At first, I empathized with his character, then I ended up hating him. And finally, I felt grateful. His presence adds a layer of mystery and depth that enriches every scene he appears in.

And Kim Jae-wook… he is pure evil. Elegant, precise, dark. With just a few seconds on screen, he manages to leave a lasting impression. His character is as disturbing as he is magnetic, and Kim Jae-wook plays him with a sophistication only he can bring.

The chemistry between all the characters is real, palpable, and, in many moments, painfully authentic. Nothing is overacted — everything feels raw and alive.

A haunting soundtrack
The music in Dear Hongrang is carefully selected to accompany the emotions without overpowering them.
Each piece of the OST seems to breathe with the characters, echoing their pain, hope, and loss with poignant delicacy.
It doesn’t seek the spotlight — yet it lingers with you long after the episode ends.

A story that wounds... and transforms
The plot is much more than a tale of revenge. It’s an intimate portrayal of unseen pain, of silent rage, and of the scars time cannot erase.
It’s a slow-burn mystery that grips you — not only with what happens, but with how it feels.

Dear Hongrang isn’t just a drama.
It’s an aesthetic, emotional, and narrative experience.
It’s one of those rare K-dramas that breaks you open — and that you’re grateful to have watched.

Read More

Obssessed with it now!

I’m being honest — the more I watch this drama, the more hooked I get!
At first, I thought, “Oh my god, what a dark and heavy genre!!” But the more I watched, the more I felt the subtle, delicate beauty of love amidst the chaos of greed, hatred, revenge, and disturbingly twisted ideologies.

I think the love between Jae Yi and Hongrang is what truly makes this drama worth watching. It’s a noble, transcendent kind of love that rises above all the darkness and negativity.

While watching, I thought — if Lee Jae Wook didn’t play Hongrang, no one else could’ve done it better. His performance was incredibly moving.
And honestly, the chemistry between Jo Bo Ah and Lee Jae Wook in this drama is stronger than in any of their other works.

Maybe Hongrang often wears white or light-colored hanbok to symbolize the purity of his soul, even though his body has been horribly tormented. But perhaps it’s Jae Yi’s love that helped him become human — a real man in every sense.

I couldn’t hold back my tears, especially in the scenes between Hongrang and Jae Yi…

The soundtrack? Absolutely amazing! The emotional vocals paired perfectly with each scene, intensifying the feelings in every moment.

If I had to rewatch it, the only parts I’d dislike are the brutal and horrifying ending, and of course, that twisted prince. But I have to admit — Kim Jae Wook nailed the role! He played that “righteous on the outside, rotten on the inside” prince so well that I ended up hating the character — which just shows how brilliant the acting was. I really want to rewatch the drama, but the disturbing torture scenes make me hesitate.

God, I really, really hope there’s a season 2 — I just want a happy ending for this couple.

Ugh, this drama haunts me so much. I don’t even know how to move on from it. I’m obsessed!

Read More

Should’ve been a 20-30 episode drama.

I had to swallow the fact that the storyline was congested into 11 episodes drama only. Hence, I prepared myself and expected cuts in the storyline.

The story is honestly one of the best released for a k-period drama this year but it wasn’t executed well because of tight episodes. Actors were great—emotions were delivered well. I read some reviews, confused when did the romance bloomed? For Hongrang/Jaewook, it was when Jae-I told him whether he is the real or not, she hopes he won’t get hurt. After years of living, no one had actually gave him this kind of affection. For Jae-I, I believe there should be more episodes to unravel her emotions. But at one point, she stated how she feels these emotions towards Hongrang, whether he’s an impostor or not. I think that’s the start of her confusion. Then add the after marriage scene where Hongrang saved her, then kissed her while she was half awake. It’s actually easy to understand why they fell in love, but I just hope we had more episodes (as someone who likes slow burn period dramas).

Cinematography, camera works, action-scenes, battles, location, and everything else? It’s such a sweet candy for the eyes. Everything was perfect for me. As expected to the actors, they can execute everything well. It’s just that, why did the production turned it into a mini series?

All in all, I liked it and finished the series in one sitting.

Read More

Dear Hong Rang - Intense Chemistry, Twisted Plot

Dear HongRang is a K-drama I was eagerly anticipating, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. From the very beginning, it maintained a tone of secrecy & mystery that kept me hooked. While there were some elements that could’ve been explored more deeply, the show’s performances, especially the chemistry between the leads, made it a worthwhile watch.

Plot & Storyline:
The central premise of "Dear HongRang" revolves around the search for the missing HongRang, with a mix of seemingly supernatural elements and a lot of suspense. While the show maintained an intriguing tone throughout, there were a few aspects of the plot that felt rushed and underexplained.

One of the major issues was the development of the romance between the main leads, Sim Jae Yi (played by Jo Bo Ah) and Hong Rang (played by Lee Jae Wook). Their chemistry was undeniable — their yearning and intense emotions were conveyed beautifully through their eyes and body language. Despite the lack of scenes showing their evolving relationship, you could still feel the bond between them. However, the actual progression of their romance was not clearly shown. More scenes between them would have helped us better understand their feelings.

Additionally, the Snowman plotline with the real Hong Rang was confusing. If Hong Rang died after falling while trying to remove a voodoo doll his mother had placed to kill his sister, why did we see a young Hong Rang running through the woods and encountering the Snowman as though he were being chased? And why did Hong Rang see the Snowman in his dreams? This inconsistency wasn’t adequately addressed, leaving several unanswered questions. Furthermore, we didn’t get enough backstory on how the Snowman worked for the Grand Prince, or the details surrounding the kidnapping of the young boys. These elements felt underdeveloped and left me wanting more.

Character Development:
Despite some plot issues, the characters were a standout. Sim Jae Yi was a particularly strong and well-crafted character. She’s intelligent, resilient, and determined, despite the traumatic abuse she suffered at the hands of her stepmother & a father who wouln't stand up for her. The way her past shaped her was heartbreaking, particularly how she would shiver at the sight of her stepmother. Despite all the pain, she never let her tragic circumstances define her.

Hong Rang, on the other hand, is a morally grey character who has had an equally harrowing past. From being a mistreated slave boy to being captured and tortured by the painter, he had a rough life. His transformation into an assassin/Soul Reaper added layers to his character. Lee Jae Wook brought this complexity to life perfectly. Hong Rang’s dark and mysterious aura was captivating, and it was clear that Jae Yi brought light into his life, just as he provided comfort to her.

Their chemistry was electric, and I was genuinely heartbroken when it became clear that Hong Rang was poisoned and wouldn’t have a chance at a happy ending. Jae Yi and Hong Rang deserved to have a happy ending after all the suffering they endured. Their journey toward healing and comfort seemed to be building toward a hopeful future, and it was hard to accept that they couldn’t get their deserved happy ending.

Cinematography & Soundtrack:
On the technical side, the cinematography was absolutely stunning. It had a mysterious, dark vibe that perfectly matched the show's tone. I loved how the visuals helped create an immersive atmosphere that kept me engaged throughout. The soundtrack, too, was fantastic, delivering emotional depth and giving me goosebumps on several occasions. Every scene felt visually striking, and the costumes added to the overall appeal of the show — though I do wish Hong Rang had a bit more variety in his outfits.

Conclusion:
The supporting cast also did a fantastic job, with standout performances that enriched the story. It was satisfying to see Lady Min finally get what she deserved after all the years of tormenting Jae Yi.

Overall, "Dear Hong Rang" was a very good drama, despite some of the plot holes and inconsistencies. The chemistry between Jo Bo Ah and Lee Jae Wook made it all the more enjoyable, and I would love to see them work together again — hopefully with a happier ending next time. It’s definitely a show worth watching if you’re a fan of suspense, romance, and complex characters.

Read More

Dark & Mysterious

This wasn't what I expected when I began watching, but it does turn out to be a very in-depth story to follow with a lot of twists & turns. It becomes so bizarre at times, but you can't stop watching it.
The main character, Hong Rang, appears to be antagonist at the beginning, but this is the type of story where nothing appears to be what it is. There were so many times I forgot who was actually good and who was bad in this series. It changes so much, you get mixed up on who to root for.
Bo Ah is great, as always. She never disappoints in bringing out every emotion possible on screen. Her, paired up with Jae Wook make a great team, although you wouldn't think so early on. These two evolve into a very believable couple.
Another character that really fools you into showing his true colors was Mu Jin. This character was tough to figure out, and Ga Ram shows us both sides of his talents at being liked and being disliked.
I think though, without a doubt, the most disturbing and evil character was Prince Han Pyeong. What an excellent job Kim Jae Wook does at bring out this wicked madman on camera. He's the perfect antagonist giving us such a disturbing performance. His death scene at the very end is brilliant and so well deserved.
Overall, it's a dark toned thriller & love story rolled into one. It makes for a great watch, becoming extremely entertaining, especially the later episodes.

Read More

The price of revenge is not cheap

Dear Hongrang is an angst slow burn cliche centred of revenge, grief, passionate love, obsession, questionable relationship, psychological turmoil, children abuse and abduction and many dark themes with an amazing acting, stunning scenery, good sword fighting's scene, good scripts, great villian and pleasing OST and BGM.

While the plot of the story is not something new for kdrama or Hollywood's playbook with the sad and expected ending, Dear Hongrang is quite a remarkable drama that left long lasting impression for the viewer. One of the dramas that viewer demand longer episode, weekly airing (So that, anticipation's value is high) and more explanation to the plot hole.

However, the story was delivered and the paced is good (quite). Not everything needs to be shown and to be explained but, it will be great if some character has a background story e.g The Snow Man (reminded me of Shirogane/that man from Gannibal). He is an interesting character.

Overall, the drama is enjoyable. 8/10 from me.

Read More

A Cautionary Tale

Characters: 10/20
Oh boy, where do I start? Most of these characters had the depth of a puddle. The mains? Flat. The side characters? Just as flat. Half the time they felt less like people and more like walking, talking plot devices. Some even acted completely out of character just to keep the story moving.

The rare bright spots were Hongrang and Min Yeon Ui. Min Yeon Ui was giving villainess with a frozen heart that only melts for her son vibes, and honestly? Loved watching her play the family politics game. Jae Yi though… whew. She was the weakest link. A human weather vane, swaying whichever way the plot pushed her. All that backstory wasted because she spent the show stuck in damsel-in-distress mode.

The rest? Either frozen in place with zero growth or suddenly pulling a 180° personality flip like they just got patched with new firmware. And don’t even get me started on the villain reveal. After endless fake-outs, the “real” villain shows up and… surprise, surprise—he’s a generic, “I’m so crazy!” kdrama bad guy with no actual motives or backstory. I’ve seen this trope done better in Vincenzo, IOTNBO, My Demon—at least those actors sold the chaos. Here, even the villain looked like he didn’t believe his own nonsense.

And then there’s the second male lead, Kim Musin. Honestly, he felt like Byeong In from Mr. Queen’s knockoff cousin. Byeong In at least had layers and believable growth. Musin just… switched personalities overnight like someone hit “randomize” on him. Plus, he was a simping machine making the dumbest choices possible. Honestly? He deserved a tragic send-off.

Plot: 10/20
The plot was like a Jenga tower—looked solid at first, then collapsed the moment they added too much. Episode one hooked me. But then came the unnecessary story arcs, plot holes you could drive a bus through, and characters making the most illogical choices just to keep things moving.

And that finale? A mess. They tried shoving in plot twist after plot twist like they were on sale—except instead of thickening the story, they just contradicted everything built since episode one. It was like watching someone knock over their own house of cards.

Themes: 9/15
Self-harm, trauma, unrequited love, betrayal, loyalty, abuse—yeah, the themes were all there. But instead of actually exploring them, the show dipped a toe in and ran scared. Every time it tried to get deep, it hit the brakes. Even unrequited love, which should’ve been poignant, got mishandled so badly it basically gave out the wrong lessons.

Emotional Impact: 9/15
Spoiler: there was none. The FL had one face for every emotional scene, and it just… wasn’t working. Lee Jae Wook delivered (because duh, he’s Lee Jae Wook), but he can only carry so much.

The romance? Don’t even ask. I have no clue when or why they fell in love. One minute—strangers. Next minute—“I’d die for you.” The chemistry was flatter than soda left out overnight.

Pacing: 5/10
If pacing were a crime, this show would be serving a life sentence. After two episodes, the main plot went poof. Gone. Instead, we were spoon-fed random side plots until the original conflict crawled back like, “Hey, remember me?”

Good writing would’ve tied the subplots into the main arc or at least circled back every episode. Instead, everything felt disconnected. Relationships came pre-installed with zero explanation, so people were suddenly hating or loving each other for… reasons? The romance especially—no build-up, just vibes.

Honestly, this plot needed breathing room. It should’ve been 12 longer episodes instead of rushing through, ignoring details, and fast-tracking conversations.

Rewatchability: 2/5
Yeah… once is enough.

Visuals/Production: 5/5
i have to give credit where it's due. Gorgeous visuals, sleek direction, intense action, and an OST that slapped. Clearly, this is where the budget went.

Acting: 6/10
Lee Jae Wook carried the whole thing on his back. He was sharp, ruthless, charismatic—he was Hongrang. You could feel every ounce of his pain and anger. Any chemistry in his relationship with Jae Yi? Entirely from him.

Jo Bo Ah though… oof. Jae Yi was boring, lifeless, and recycled the same four expressions on rotation. I’d have preferred her in a smaller role. The supposed emotional scenes? Fell flat. Chemistry with other characters? Nonexistent.

The other gem was Uhm Ji Won, who killed her role with finesse. I just wish she got more screen time.


Final Thoughts
Dear Hongrang was… fine. Not unwatchable, but definitely not good. Frustratingly mid. It will remain a cautionary tale about the dangers of doing too much. The plot had potential but fell apart thanks to weak pacing, shallow themes, flat characters, and a bargain-bin villain. The visuals and Lee Jae Wook’s performance were the saving graces.

Would I recommend it? Only if I wanted to annoy someone.

Read More

Stunning scenery marred by horrendous child abuse and a weird love obsession.

This show had some of the most beautiful cinematography I’ve ever seen in streaming. Gorgeous. However, it was a stark contrast to the ugliness that was going on with the characters who were living amongst that beauty. Many of the parents in this were awful people. Consumed by greed and depravity. To start ,the mother/stepmother, MinYeon, seemed like the worst. Blaming a Jae-yi for her son being missing for 12 years , beating her and treating her like trash even though she was the daughter of her wealthy husband. But then he allowed this to go on. And it is quickly learned that he is worse than her - a selfish POS who cared for no one, even his own children, unless they could help him gain something for himself. He used his adopted son, Mujin, in a power play against MinYeon and when it went bad he abandoned him to die. He cheated on MinYeon and when his mistress got pregnant he abandoned her for his own gain knowing that the former would seek to destroy her. And that wasn’t the worst of his behaviors. He was complicit in the “snow man” kidnapping children and taking them to that psychopathic Prince to be poisoned and severely abused. He supported this depravity because the gain was great fortune and prestige for himself. His behavior was beyond reprehensible and I’m glad he met a horrible demise. Though it was not horrible enough.

Though beautifully acted, the love story almost seemed out of place. Thank goodness the sibling situation got cleared up quickly. Hongrang admitting his feelings to Jae-yi, her rejecting him, finding her own romantic feelings for him being disturbing considering he was her “brother” and deciding to leave town as a result, played well. However, when she found proof that he wasn’t her brother and he confessed that same truth, their sudden decision to run off into the sunset was jarring. As was them making love in a cave knowing the entire world was outside those walls hunting them, and then setting down in that cabin on the mountain top. Their love did have potential but it had not earned that type of intense loyalty. In fact, it was difficult to believe when Jae-yi said she loved him and couldn’t live without him. Where did that love come from? As she’d spent every episode up until that point hating him and waffling between him being or not being her brother.

What seemed more out of place was Mujin’s 180. It was obvious from the start that his love for Jae-yi wasn’t brotherly. However, he always respected the fact that she saw him as her brother. Overall he seemed like a good guy. But by the end of the series he was willing to lie, kill and align himself with a child abuser and killer in order to possess her. So disappointing.

The writing in this was a bit messy. There were several story threads that weren’t fully fleshed out. However, the actors had good chemistry and their performances were outstanding. I felt Hongrang’s anguish and tears over the abuse he suffered as a child. I felt Jaeyi’s heartbreak at the realization that he was suffering from chemical poisoning and dying. I seethed at the delusional and deranged Prince’s arrogance and narcissism. Again, great acting by all. Is this worth watching. Absolutely. Would I watch again. Probably.

Read More

Lee Jae Wook is a swordfighting god...

Watched about 30 KDramas, and my first review, and that is solely because Lee Jae Wook delivers hard. His fight scenes are unbelievable, incredibly impressive. The soundtrack is perfect and Jo Bo Ah is stunning in every way. Honestly, the only thing that brought down my rating was that I feel like it could've done with some more episodes, it deserved more and the story could've done with more time and been expanded upon. I think antagonist needed pulling out a little more. However, it was great! The low rewatch value is only because I don't want to go through that devastation again.

Read More