Noctis

Dear Hongrang is a total feast for the sageuk fans.. Top tier acting, well paced story and aesthetically pleasing cinematography, absolutely sublime.. But what really stands out is the OST.. Goosebumps kind of good.. Lee Jae Wook is back in his element.. He served.. He had one of the best entrance scene, simple but perfect.. The powerful soundtrack, the family tension, that chilling look in his eyes.. It was the kind of scene that makes you sit up and pay attention..

At first glance the narrative might feel familiar for this genre.. But once The Snow Man is introduced, it becomes clear there is something sinister and haunting underneath all the family secrets, forbidden romance and political schemes..

Lee Jae Wook deserves all the appreciation in the world for his performance here.. He has always delivered outstanding performances.. But in Dear Hongrang, thanks to a well written script and a character that fits him perfectly, he truly shines.. And Jo Bo Ah smoulders and brings Sim Jae I to life.. Her performance was heartbreaking, tender, emotional and quietly powerful..

Every time I see Kim Jae Wook in a drama, he just blows my mind all over again.. He is extraordinarily talented.. Which makes me wonder why isn't he getting Main Lead roles?? Why are we not seeing him in more dramas?? He is such a great actor.. Its a shame his screen time was limited here too..

For me, two aspects stood out as the most intense and impressive parts of this drama.. Both in terms of its execution and the acting.. Absolute perfection..
First, The action scenes.. The action here is really fantastic and the camera work makes the swordplay totally engaging and awesome.. Grounded enough to not feel over the top but just enough to wow you.. Lee Jae Wook, unsurprisingly, was amazing.. He has truly outdone himself in those intense action moments.. Ep 10 was just pure brilliance..
Second, the romance development between the leads.. Their relationship isn’t a fairytale.. It’s messy, raw and painful.. And I guess that’s what made it feel real.. It was a gorgeously melancholic portrait of yearning and emotional fragility..

I didn't like the SML from the beginning.. His character was questionable.. One scene after the SML finds proof that the ML is not Hongrang, he says
" Once you know that he is an imposter, you will return to your usual self.. It may break your heart to know you have been deceived.. But do not worry.. As always I shall be there for you.. "

For me this is SML's character defining moment where he shows his true face.. His obsession with the FL..
Her usual self?? The one who risked her life just to earn money to search for her brother?? The one who woke up crying from nightmares, haunted by guilt and grief?? He wasn’t trying to protect her.. He was thrilled at the idea of breaking her spirit just so he could " be there for her ".. Even if she was suffering and in pain, for him it doesn't matter.. He just wanted her all for himself.. And when she confided in him about her feelings for the ML, he still didn’t tell her the truth.. He could have saved her from that agonizing shame.. From thinking her love was something forbidden.. But he chose silence because if she knew, he might lose her.. So he just let her suffer.. That wasn’t love, it was selfishness and he was a pathetic person..

He also says.. " I am not trying to protect her.. I intend to claim her.. "

For people talking about second lead syndrome for this guy, you people are sick.. He was as evil as every other villains in the drama.. Sim Jae I nailed it when she said,
" It is but an obsession for what you cannot have.. That is your truth.. "

The last three episodes were intense, story heavy, emotion filled and action packed.. All the revelations, the prince’s monstrous crimes.. The horrifying complicity of the father and the painful backstory that tied it all together.. It was painful and tragic.. The ML finally got his revenge and it was satisfying to watch.. But there was no happy ending for the main leads.. Terribly predictable, that was not a surprise for me..

Overall, Dear Hongrang was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.. There is a deep sadness imbued in all the scenes of this drama.. The ending was sad and emotional but honestly it was never going to be a happy one for them.. I just wish Jae I had a child.. Because now her life feels as lonely as it was before.. I wanted her to have something more to live for.. Something that’s truly hers..