“Dear Hongrang” (Written by Kim Jin-Ah, directed by Kim Hong-Sun) was released globally in full on May 16 at 4:00 pm. The drama focuses on Hongrang, son of a rich merchant family in Joseon, who returns after having disappeared for 12 years without any memory of his past. The suspicion grows while his half-sister Jae-Yi begins to question his identity and an ambiguous emotional entanglement is formed with each other. Combining mystery and melodrama, “Dear Hongrang” He attracted attention from his planning phases.
According to week 2 of May 2 of the consumer “Opt K-Original Content Viewer report”, “Dear Hongrang” At the top of the rankings for two consecutive weeks with awareness of 19% and 11% of intent to look at. Its unique setting, emotionally complex characters, narrative tension and expectations powered to the powered sky.
Set during the Joseon dynasty, “Dear Hongrang” It revolves around Hongrang (played by Lee Jae-Wook), who returns after a 12-year disappearance, apparently identical in appearance and mannerisms but different in thin and disturbing ways. The only one who doubts his stepsister Jae-Yi (played by Jo Bo-Ah), whose growing emotional disorder guides the central conflict.
The tension derives from the mystery of the identity of Hongrang and the prohibited emotions between the two. Lee Jae-Wook offers an performance with strata of discomfort, secret and desire, while Jo Bo-Ah convincingly portrays the inner battle of Jae-Yi between denial, suspicion and uncontrollable attraction.
Support actors including Jung Ga-Ram, Uhm Ji-Won, Park Byung-Eun and Kim Jae-Wook add further weight to the plot. Director Kim Hong-Sun known for “Heist of money: Korea – joint economic area”, “Trafficers”, “Project Wolf Hunting” And “The guest” adds its signed visual type and suspense to refine the elements of the genre.
“Dear Hongrang” It is based on the novel with the same name as Jang Da-Hye, which offered a literary base full of symbolism. The series focuses on topics of memory, truth and prohibited ties.
However, the reactions after the release did not combine pre-reports. Social media, forums and revision platforms show a clear division: the comments range from “I observed it during the night, so emotionally resonant”, “Lee Jae-Wook is perfect for historical dramas” AND “If you like romanticism, it’s fantastic” to criticisms such as “Stop after episode 2 Only boring”, “Not very clear direction ruins the immersion” AND “Too much cringey despite having understood the plot.”
In particular, many spectators have indicated the deficiencies in the direction. Some said, “The story is intriguing, but editing breaks the immersion”, “The actors cry but the spectators feel nothing” AND “The emotional rhythm does not land due to a weak direction.” Others defended the show, saying, “It’s fantastic if you carefully follow the arches of the character” AND “Lee Jae-Wook brings the entire show.”
Lee Jae-Wook, who debuted “Memoirs of the Alhambra”built a reputation for the management of strata roles in dramas such as “Extraordinary”, “Alchimy of Souls” AND “Death’s game”. In “Dear Hongrang”Flex both mystery and romanticism in one of his most nuanced performances ever.
Jo Bo-Ah also expands its acting range here. He explained, “I tried to distinctly separate the emotions that Jae-Yi feels for the real Hongrang against the impostor who suspects. I wanted that contrast to be clear.” Spectators are looking to see if this delicate portrait resonates as expected.
“Dear Hongrang” It is more than a vintage love story, it is an experimental hybrid genre. With its bold premise of forbidden love, a crisis of identity and dynamic half half brothers, moves away from traditional historical Korean dramas. The way in which global spectators on Netflix respond to this narrative will depend strongly on the involvement of word of mouth and spectators.
Like Netflix’s first historical drama since 2019 “Kingdom” to the best polls intent for two consecutive weeks, “Dear Hongrang” Arrived with great expectations. Now facing conflicting reviews, it remains to be seen if the series can go up to become a real success.
