Beautifully, cinematically shot with thrilling action scenes, a compelling primary romance plot and secondary conspiracy plot. This had all the elements of a perfect drama.
Even better, there were themes! On how wealth and power corrodes the soul. On the moral cowardice of many and the rare moral courage of a few. On how justice exacts a price. On the abuse many vulnerable children suffer.
Yes there was a core plot for 8 or so episodes and then extended plot ideas for 16 episodes - and somehow they ended up shoving something together for 11.
But I would still urge you to give it a try.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Nice tragical romance but messy main plot.
1/ WHAT I LIKED:- The lead couple and the romance. Good chemistry. The development of their story from antagonism to their closure is well told with a good pace. They look silly at times trying wrong moves but they sure form a strong bond in the end.
- Love triangle: not too annoying as it does not really create confusion between the two leads. SML is just a weasel who hides his true feelings and would scheme any plan to make sure he gets what he desires. In the end, they still gave him a hero ending. Lame.
- Production is good, nice places, landscapes, photography, some nice camera angles.
- The endings of the two male villains are very fun.
2/ WHAT I DID NOT LIKE:
- Main plot involves too many parties who are not well identified and what they want is not clear.
- The mix of human trafficking + struggle for power/wealth+ mystical elements is also confusing at times
- 4 main evil characters are not strong bad guys. First one is a nutjob. Second one is a greedy coward. Third one is just full of hate. Fourth one is a pathetic weasel. And they all bully the main couple.
- 11 eps are prejudicial to the drama. Some elements needed more explanation. It caused also a rushed ending.
- The annoying mother who is just full of hate should not have survived. She was horrible but ended up in her peaceful own world.
3/OST:
Overall, it was good. Just the violin hurt my ears at times.
4/REWATCH:
Probably not.
5/OVERALL:
There are a lot of good things in this drama. I was immersed in it from beginning to the end. Overall, it's entertaining enough. 8.5/10.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I had high expectations and it wasn't disappointing!!
Honestly, the drama isn’t perfect — some predictable plot twists and a few inconsistencies — but who cares when the rest is so good? This drama was made for me: all the things I love were there — intense action scenes, a strong revenge story, real tension, a well-crafted plot with lots of different stories intertwined, and a love story that was handled really well with great chemistry. I was totally hooked the whole time, binge-watched it in one day, and cried a lot at the end, of course. Definitely one of my favorite dramas.Was this review helpful to you?
absolutely breathtaking
this show was absolutely brilliant ,every scene was breath taking.From the production to the ost everything was absolutely perfect.LJW’s and JBA’s acting was absolutely craxy the emotions that they were able to portray to make the audience feel it aswell was crazy.KJW was absolutely great HES just perfect for the villain role.I don’t know about anyone else but I loved the romance that they put in this show,the main couple’s chemistry is extraordinary.And I have to say it again that OST was way too good it gave me goosebumps,my first rule is that isf a show has a good ost it’s already top notch.Overwll I would definitely give this a 10/10 everything was too good, the amount is times I cried was crazy.I was a bit disappointed to see the low rating this deserves an 8.5 minimum…but yhWas this review helpful to you?
Do not Watch this!!
What a collosal time waste of a drama. I do not think the director/writer understood what they wanted to tell from the plot and ended up taking something else.😂🤣. Unbelievably horrible Drama. Couldn't wait for it be complete by forwarding.😆⚠️Only watch for the Main leads and for OST!!!
Was this review helpful to you?
Good, could've been better.
It's good. Could've been better. The story seems patched-up in various parts. You get the feeling that they are trying too hard.It's kind of trademark of Netflix produced shows - they try to do lots of things in one go. Sometimes, it works, most times it doesn't.
OST is pretty good, bit boisterous at times. The acting by all actors especially Lee Jae Wook is tremendous.
The story is set in medieval period. Hongrang (LJW) once disappeared, appears again after 12 years as a mercenary. Is he the authentic Hongrang or not? That's what we find later. Why he disappeared? That is one of the main plotline of the story. Another plotline Sim Jae-Yi figuring out whether the Hongrang in front of them is real Hongrang or not.
Should you watch it?
Yes. There is no reason not to watch it unless you're not a fan of LJW, Jo Bo Ah.
Was this review helpful to you?
Masterpiece in 2025
This is the best and prettiest drama I have watched in 2025. The aesthetics are super pretty and I dont have words to express it. Have kdramas always been this pretty with sceneries? They have done a great job and yeah acting is great specially the main actor Lee Jae Wook. yeah he is always a masterpiece himself. This is the only drama that I watched this year without skipping and forwarding even a little bit. They delivered it so well and im so grateful for this show cus i have been asking myself why they dont do good shows anymore like in past. Thanks to everyone who made this show. Appreciate all your hard work.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
A Glimpse into the Web of Mystery and Emotion in "Dear Hong Rang" with amazing OSTs
Netflix's 2025 South Korean historical melodrama, "Dear HongRang," also known by its Korean title "Tangeum," plunges viewers into a Joseon-era tale woven with threads of mystery, grief, obsession, and the complex search for identity. Based on the novel "Tangeum: Swallowing Gold," the series centers on the wealthy Sim merchant family, whose world is shattered when the young heir, Hongrang, vanishes without a trace. Twelve years later, the sudden reappearance of a young man claiming to be the lost Hongrang ignites a firestorm of hope, suspicion, and deeply buried secrets.The narrative hinges on the perspectives and reactions of those left behind. Jae-yi, Hongrang's half-sister, is perhaps the most profoundly affected by his disappearance, having shared a close bond with him. Her tireless, years-long search for her brother forms a central emotional arc of the series. The return of the claimant, portrayed by Lee Jae-wook, throws Jae-yi into turmoil. While their mother, Min Yeon-ui, quickly embraces the man as her lost son, Jae-yi harbors doubts, her skepticism fueling the series' central mystery: is this man truly Hongrang, or a cunning imposter?
Adding another layer of complexity is Mu-jin, the adopted son who stepped into Hongrang's place after his disappearance. His position is threatened by the claimant's arrival, creating a compelling dynamic between the three characters. The series explores the shifting relationships and emotional entanglements that arise as Jae-yi endeavors to uncover the truth about the man claiming to be her brother, all while navigating her own burgeoning feelings for him.
"Dear HongRang" is lauded for its intricate plot, which, while occasionally juggling numerous threads, ultimately converges towards a poignant conclusion. Reviews highlight the series' success in blending mystery and melodrama, creating an emotionally charged viewing experience. The performances of the main cast, particularly Jo Bo-ah as Jae-yi and Lee Jae-wook as the enigmatic claimant, have been positively noted for their ability to convey the characters' inner turmoil and the evolving complexities of their relationships. Jung Ga-ram's portrayal of Mu-jin also contributes significantly to the emotional depth of the series.
Beyond the central mystery, "Dear HongRang" delves into themes of obsession and the destructive nature of unresolved grief, particularly evident in the character of Min Yeon-ui. The series is described as a "slow-burning, multilayered descent" into the personal and political machinations within the merchant guild, revealing dark secrets and power struggles that have festered over the years. The historical Joseon setting is visually rich, with praise for the cinematography and production design contributing to the immersive atmosphere of the drama.
While some initial reviews mention the potential for the multitude of plot points to occasionally hinder the narrative flow, the consensus points towards the series successfully bringing these elements together in the latter half. The exploration of love, loss, and the enduring impact of past traumas resonates strongly with viewers, making "Dear HongRang" a compelling watch for those who appreciate historical dramas with a strong emphasis on character development and emotional depth. It offers a tangled web of lies and yearning, where the search for a lost individual becomes a journey of self-discovery and the uncovering of long-buried truths.
Was this review helpful to you?
Not a rewatch
I consider myself to rate the shows that I watch pretty aggressively lolThat being said, around episode 7 is where I stopped watching. (I also could’ve just dropped the show at the first few eps) but I continued mainly to see if the plot would develop, but I just kept thinking to myself throughout like what the HECK is going on man.
Mainly got into watching because of the main leads, but other than that not much else is interesting in my opinion.
I’ve now started watching Nine Puzzles.
Was this review helpful to you?
What was all the hype about??
The only intresting thing about the whole series was the drawings and still the reason behind it was so meh.It was so boring but i kept watching in hopes of getting better but nope. It drained me so badly. You can watch it if you want but don't expect anything amazing out of it.
And they didn't even explained about the snow ghost guy and what was going on with him. Like how can a normal guy run so fast as if he's superman. And the eyes??? Those days contact lenses wasn't invented yet so wth??
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Bored
“Dear Hongrang” was one of the most anticipated dramas for me, mainly because of Lee Jae Wook. However, it didn’t quite meet my expectations.The story revolves around a sister searching for her missing brother. An imposter enters her life, pretending to be the lost brother—but she knows he is not. Despite that, his kind nature draws her in, and she eventually falls in love with him. As more hidden truths are unveiled, their lives are turned upside down, leading to a tragic end.
I didn’t enjoy the drama much due to the presence of the psychotic king and the painful truth behind the male protagonist. It was heartbreaking to see how brutally the king used him, which ultimately led to his tragic ending.
I also liked Jung Ga Ram. His character suffered a lot and never truly lived a fulfilling life.
Overall, the story felt too harsh and filled with negativity, which didn’t align with my tast
Was this review helpful to you?
Just Yes
The characters roles are conveyed well by the actors and the storyline is mostly good.& Hongrang is just... immediately yes!
Just watch it,
Watch it and you'll see what I mean!
Again, Just yes!........................................................................................................................................................
Was this review helpful to you?
