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!!!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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??
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im lost???
i watched this drama months ago but i still don’t know what to think of it. i literally don’t know how to rank it of even feel about it. maybe cause i watched it with my mom, who prefers to watch it subbed, but im utterly confused. that’s why i gave it a 4. i need to give a rating to submit my review but i actually really don’t know how to rank it.it was kinda disturbing too..
!!!SPOILER!!!
the FL fell in love with the ML thinking he was her brother?? it was so disturbing to watch even though we knew he wasn’t. that’s not the only thing tho. maybe cause i’m not used to these typ of things but it was really weird.
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A Cautionary Tale
Characters: 10/20Oh 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.
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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
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A beautiful creation
This drama is a great work of art, from the moment it was written to the casting of the perfect actors to bring it to life for the audience, and it is indeed astonishing. I am really a fan of thrillers, mysteries, and action dramas, as they put me on the edge with each scene and episode, and when they uncover hidden clues, it makes me feel a sense of accomplishment, even if I wasn't the one who went to look for clues.The series covers the theme of deceit, betrayal, and revenge, which is well executed in this series, as the cast makes the audience feel the emotions they act out, engaging everyone.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this series to mystery, drama, and action lovers.
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This review may contain spoilers
starts strong but falls apart
I'm not the biggest fan of historical dramas out there, but I had to give this a go because regardless of what my other review says, I did want to watch an LJW show. Considering how I already knew the plot of the novel, I'm very happy that it stuck to the original ending. That being said, the show still left me unsatisfied. Only fake-Hongrang's character stayed with me after I finished the 11 episodes.What I liked about the show was the cinematography, the music, and the characters of the Grand Prince, Min Yeonui, and fake-Hongrang. The fighting scenes were solid and entertaining. The creep factor and the dark themes were interesting. It was an interesting story and I'm glad they stuck to the webnovel ending.
What I didn't like was, first and foremost, the romance. It was uncomfortable and even downright disgusting to watch in some scenes. I understand it's supposed to portray the characters' moral and ethical and psychological turmoil, but I couldn't see it from that perspective. Especially the scene in the forest where Fauxrang sucks on Jaeyi's finger hours after confirming to her that he's her brother. The development felt off to me but perhaps it was how the two characters mirrored each other and could relate to each other that made the feelings so strong in such a short time. Nevertheless, I will never be a fan of the fake siblings trope. None of the romantic moments were heart fluttering to me but I managed to watch it anyway.
Jaeyi's character was a big disappointment. I'm not the biggest Cho Boah fan, but I felt she was okay in Destined With You. All she does in this show is cry and stare as if her eyes are about to pop out. Jaeyi is meant to be a stronger character and clever when it comes to business (webtoon+novel). Seeing how she survived for so long in such a terrible home, with Min Yeonui hanging over her like the devil, I assumed we'd get more from Jaeyi instead of seeing her be rescued every episode. I couldn't sympathize with her or Mujin's character as I found the acting funny in certain parts.
The Snow Man was an interesting character and I would've liked to know more, but I understand he was only a side character.
I thoroughly enjoyed Min Yeonui, from start to the way her story ended.
All in all, good effort. Not a show I would recommend but not one I'd discourage from watching.
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