by Dear Hongrang, Netflix’s new period melodrama, plunges viewers into the eerie beauty of Joseon-era secrets, forbidden love, and haunting identity.
This 11-episode adaptation of Jang Da-Hye’s novel Tangeum: Geumeul Samkida combines family betrayal, slow-burning romance, and psychological intrigue into a captivating tale of return—and rebirth.
Profile of Dear Hongrang Kdrama 2025
- Title: Dear Hongrang (탄금 / Tangeum)
- Director: Kim Hong-Sun
- Writer: Jang Da-Hye (novel), Kim Jin-A
- Network: Netflix
- Episodes: 11
- Release Date: May 16, 2025
- Genre: Historical, Mystery, Romance, Thriller
Plot: Dear Hongrang
Born into the prestigious Sim family, Hongrang (Lee Jae-Wook) disappeared without a trace at age eight. His return 12 years later shocks the household—especially his devoted stepsister Sim Jae-Yi (Cho Bo-Ah), who has never stopped searching for him. But the man who returns has no memory of his past and carries a chilling, buried secret.
His mother, Min Yeon-Ui (Uhm Ji-Won), is no longer the invincible merchant queen she once was, and his return threatens to unravel her already-crumbling world. As Jae-Yi begins to question whether the man is truly her brother, feelings of suspicion and forbidden attraction collide in a slow, aching descent into truth.
Main Cast: Dear Hongrang
- Lee Jae-Wook as Hongrang – A lost heir with secrets darker than amnesia.
- Cho Bo-Ah as Sim Jae-Yi – A sharp, emotionally complex woman whose devotion begins to crack.
- Jung Ga-Ram as Mu-Jin – The quiet outsider who may know more than he lets on.
- Uhm Ji-Won as Min Yeon-Ui – The iron-willed matriarch unraveling under pressure.
- Park Byung-Eun as Sim Yeol-Guk – The family’s patriarch, politically entangled and morally ambiguous.
Who Should Watch Dear Hongrang?
- Fans of The Crowned Clown, The Tale of Nokdu, or Secret Love Affair
- Viewers who love moody, morally gray romance
- Those drawn to identity mysteries and layered character arcs in historical settings
Why You Should Watch Dear Hongrang
- Beautifully eerie tone – The direction and score create a haunting, dreamlike quality.
- Complex female leads – Cho Bo-Ah and Uhm Ji-Won steal scenes with emotional depth.
- Not your typical sageuk – Focuses less on palace intrigue, more on psychological drama.
- Gothic undertones – Amnesia, mistaken identity, and forbidden feelings simmer under every scene.
Final Verdict
Dear Hongrang is a visually rich, narratively slow-burn K-drama that rewards patience with emotional depth and stunning performances. It explores what happens when family loyalty, love, and identity collide in a world where secrets have the power to destroy legacies.
A hypnotic blend of mystery and melodrama—perfect for fans of moody period pieces with a modern emotional core.
