Dear Hongrang (2025) on Netflix: Cast, Plot, Release Date & the Mystery Behind Identity and Secrets
- Boxofficehype
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Unraveling Secrets and Identity in Dear Hongrang — Premiering May 16 on Netflix
The Joseon era is no stranger to secrets, but Dear Hongrang promises a mystery that’s both intimate and spine-chilling. Premiering May 16, 2025, only on Netflix, this upcoming South Korean mystery melodrama sageuk (historical drama) plunges viewers into a riveting tale of lost identity, fractured family bonds, and a dangerous truth hidden beneath years of longing.
📜 The Premise: A Stranger Comes Home
Dear Hongrang (탄금) tells the story of Hong-rang (played by Lee Jae-wook), the heir to a wealthy merchant family, who vanished without a trace at the age of eight. His half-sister, Jae-yi (Jo Bo-ah), has never stopped searching for him. Twelve years later, a young man appears, claiming to be the long-lost Hong-rang — but with no memories of his childhood. While his mother remains wary, Jae-yi is desperate to believe he’s truly her brother.
But something is off. As the family tentatively welcomes him back, whispers of suspicion grow louder. Who is this man really? And what secrets does his return threaten to expose?
🧩 A Tale of Love, Suspicion, and Power
Adapted from Tangeum: Swallowing Gold by Jang Da-hye, Dear Hongrang is as much a psychological thriller as it is a historical drama. With every episode, the line between love and suspicion blurs, as Jae-yi’s quest for truth entangles her in a web of political intrigue, ancient secrets, and family betrayal.
As Hong-rang's identity comes under scrutiny, so does the power structure of the household — and perhaps, the entire region.
🎭 Cast and Characters
Lee Jae-wook as the mysterious Hong-rang — charming, reserved, and possibly dangerous.
Jo Bo-ah as Jae-yi, the loyal half-sister searching for the brother she lost, and maybe losing herself in the process.
Jung Ga-ram as Mu-jin, a key figure in the family’s past.
Uhm Ji-won as Min Yeon-ui, the skeptical and protective mother.
Park Byung-eun as Shim Yeol-guk, whose motives may be as hidden as Hong-rang's memories.
Kim Jae-wook as Prince Han Pyeong — nobility with a stake in the truth.
🎬 Behind the Scenes
Directed by Kim Hong-sun and written by Kim Jin-ah, the series blends haunting cinematography, emotionally charged performances, and a slow-burning narrative that’s perfect for fans of shows like The Crowned Clown or Alchemy of Souls.
Netflix has steadily become a home for gripping Korean period dramas, and Dear Hongrang is set to be its next must-watch hit.
🔍 Will You Believe the Stranger?
As Dear Hongrang unfolds, it asks its audience the same question tormenting its characters: When someone you love returns from the void — do you trust your heart, or your instincts?
Prepare for a mystery layered with emotional stakes and historical tension when Dear Hongrang premieres May 16, 2025, only on Netflix.
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