Dear Hongrang
2025 South Korean television series
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Dear Hongrang (Korean: 탄금) is a South Korean mystery melodrama sageuk television series written by Kim Jin-ah, directed by Kim Hong-sun, and starring Lee Jae-wook and Jo Bo-ah. Based on Tangeum: Swallowing Gold by Jang Da-hye, the series follows how Jae-yi searches and uncovers the truth behind Hong-rang's disappearance and the man claiming to be him. It premiered on Netflix on May 16, 2025.
| Dear Hongrang | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 탄금 |
| Lit. | Swallowing Gold |
| RR | Tangeum |
| MR | T'an'gŭm |
| Genre | |
| Based on | Tangeum: Swallowing Gold by Jang Da-hye[2] |
| Written by | Kim Jin-ah[1] |
| Directed by | Kim Hong-sun[1] |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Kim Tae-seung[3] |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 11 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 60—70 minutes |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | May 16, 2025 |
Synopsis
Hong-rang, the son of a wealthy merchant family in Joseon, went missing at the age of eight. His half-sister, Jae-yi, never gives up hope and searches for him tirelessly. Twelve years later, a young man appears claiming to be Hong-rang, but he has no memories of his past. While Jae-yi is skeptical, his mother desperately wants to believe him. However, this man carries a secret, and his reappearance brings intrigue and danger. Jae-yi's quest to uncover the truth behind Hong-rang's disappearance and the identity of this returning man leads her into a web of family secrets and power struggles.
Cast and characters
Main
- Lee Jae-wook as Hong-rang[5]
- A mysteriously returned heir of a powerful Joseon clan, whose true identity and motives remain in secret.
- The outcast daughter of a powerful Joseon clan who hides her pain as she searches for her long-lost half-brother.
- Jung Ga-ram as Mu-jin[7]
- A stand-in for the lost heir Hong-rang who was born into a fallen noble family.
- Uhm Ji-won as Min Yeon-ui[8]
- The matriarch of the clan who will stop at nothing to reclaim her lost son.
- Park Byung-eun as Shim Yeol-guk[8]
- The ruthless head of the clan and father of Hongrang and Jae-i, who makes cold, calculated choices in pursuit of his ambition.
- Kim Jae-wook as Prince Han Pyeong[9]
- The king's only brother, indifferent to politics and court affairs, yet deeply devoted to scholarship and art.
Supporting
- Park Myung-hoon as Bang Ji-ryeon
- Shim Yeol-guk's subordinate.
- Jo Jae-yoon as Jo Bang-sook
- The leader of the group searching for Mu-jin.
- Choi Young-woo as Yook Son
- Min Yeon-ui's confidant.
- Choi Hyung-tae as Bu Yeong
- Mu-jin's right-hand man.
- Park Ji-ah as Madam Gwigokja
- A shaman.
- Kim Bada as Du Ryeong
- Deputy leader of the sword guild.
- Kim Min-gi as In Hoe
- Hong-rang's sworn brother.
- Lee Ga-ryeong as Kkot Nim
- Leader of the sword guild.
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Rainbow Hong, Shining Rang - My Brother Hongrang" Transliteration: "Mujigae hong, balgeul rang - nae au hongnang" (Korean: 무지개 홍, 밝을 랑 - 내 아우 홍랑) | Kim Hong-sun | Kim Jin-ah | May 16, 2025 |
| 2 | "The One Who Stole Our World" Transliteration: "Sesangeul asagan seorin" (Korean: 세상을 앗아간 설인) | Kim Hong-sun | Kim Jin-ah | May 16, 2025 |
| 3 | "The Most Authentic Replica" Transliteration: "Jinpum gateun gapum" (Korean: 진품 같은 가품) | Kim Hong-sun | Kim Jin-ah | May 16, 2025 |
| 4 | "Our Reflective Scars" Transliteration: "Geoulcheoreom bichineun sangheun" (Korean: 거울처럼 비치는 상흔) | Kim Hong-sun | Kim Jin-ah | May 16, 2025 |
| 5 | "The Thicker the Veil, the Clearer the Heart" Transliteration: "Garimsok seonmyeonghaejineun, nungarim" (Korean: 가림속 선명해지는, 눈가림) | Kim Hong-sun | Kim Jin-ah | May 16, 2025 |
| 6 | "Nothing Mu, Finished Jin - Brother Mu-jin" Transliteration: "Eopseul mu, dahal jin - orabeoni mujin" (Korean: 없을 무, 다할 진 - 오라버니 무진) | Kim Hong-sun | Kim Jin-ah | May 16, 2025 |
| 7 | "Roaring Waves" Transliteration: "Hwimorachineun padong" (Korean: 휘몰아치는 파동) | Kim Hong-sun | Kim Jin-ah | May 16, 2025 |
| 8 | "Imperfect Jae, Departing Yi - My Name Is Jae-yi" Transliteration: "Ijireojil jae, tteonal i - nae ireum jaei" (Korean: 이지러질 재, 떠날 이 - 내 이름 재이) | Kim Hong-sun | Kim Jin-ah | May 16, 2025 |
| 9 | "The Living Offering" Transliteration: "Sarainneun sopum" (Korean: 살아있는 소품) | Kim Hong-sun | Kim Jin-ah | May 16, 2025 |
| 10 | "A Bittersweet Farewell" Transliteration: "Dachi mothal insa" (Korean: 닿지 못할 인사) | Kim Hong-sun | Kim Jin-ah | May 16, 2025 |
| 11 | "Forever and After" Transliteration: "Yeongwontorok, yeongyeong" (Korean: 영원토록, 영영) | Kim Hong-sun | Kim Jin-ah | May 16, 2025 |
Release
Initially, the series was reported to premiered on Netflix in early 2024.[4][10] In February 2025, Netflix announced their 2025 Korean films and series lineup and the window date of Dear Hongrang will be in the second quarter of 2025.[11] In April 2025, the series was confirmed to be released on May 16.[12]
Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, 80% of 5 critics reviews are positive.[13]
