Introducing the Netflix drama Dear Hongrang. A forbidden love story unfolds between half-siblings in the Joseon Dynasty, starring Lee Jae-wook and Jo Bo-ah. One day, Hong-rang (played by Lee Jae-wook) mysteriously disappears, only to return 12 years later with no memory of his past. Yet, Jae-yi (played by Jo Bo-ah) insists he is not truly Hong-rang. Born of a concubine, Jae-yi becomes the center of a love triangle involving the legitimate heir Hong-rang and the adopted son Moo-jin. What will become of this forbidden love?
Dear Hongrang
- 탄금 2025 | 呑金 タングム
- Genre: Historical Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Melodrama
- Release Date: May 16, 2025
- Episodes: 11 episodes
- Production Companies: Studio Dragon, Plus M, Ace Maker Movie Works, H House, EO Contents Group
- Director: Kim Hong-sun
- Screenwriter: Kim Jin-a
- Original Work: Tangum: Swallowing Gold by Jang Da-hye
- Cast: Lee Jae-wook, Jo Bo-ah, Jung Ga-ram, Uhm Ji-won, Park Byung-eun, Kim Jae-wook, and more
- Filming Period: October 4, 2023 – May 31, 2024
- OTT Platform: Netflix
- Rating: 15+ (Approved by the Korea Media Rating Board)
Table of Contents
Dear Hongrang Cast
Shim Jae-yi Played by Jo Bo-ah
The only daughter of the Min Trading Guild, born of a concubine and treated as a disgrace. Raised under the abuse of Lady Min, the lawful wife, Jae-yi clings to her only ally — her younger half-brother. Wracked with guilt over his disappearance, she escapes her personal hell and sets out to find him herself. When Hong-rang suddenly returns one day, she begins to question whether he is truly her brother…
Shim Hong-rang Played by Lee Jae-wook (young Hong-rang by Seo Woo-jin)
The only son of Shim Yeol-guk, who returns after 12 years with no memory of his childhood. He embodies a strange mix of a bold, masculine presence and a boyish love for mischief. But beneath it all lies a cold-hearted soul filled with despair, hatred, and self-loathing. His carefully constructed plan begins to unravel the moment he meets Jae-yi.
Shim Moo-jin Played by Jung Ga-ram
After his family’s downfall, Moo-jin was sold to the Min Trading Guild as an adopted son in exchange for money. Dreaming of one day becoming the head of the guild, he harbors a hidden blade in his heart — yet remains endlessly gentle toward Jae-yi. When Hong-rang returns and threatens not only his place in the family but Jae-yi’s affections, Moo-jin begins to spiral into darkness…
Shim Yeol-guk Played by Park Byung-eun
The son-in-law who secured his position as head of the Min Trading Guild. A true merchant who lives by the ruthless motto: *“If it brings profit, we cooperate. If not, we sever ties.”* There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for his powerful backer, Prince Hanpyeong.
Lady Min Yeon-ui Played by Uhm Ji-won
The real power behind the Min Trading Guild. Born as the only daughter of the great merchant Min Ban-hyo, she was raised with unchecked arrogance. Since her son’s disappearance, she will stop at nothing to bring him back — by any means necessary.
Dear Hongrang Filming location
Yeongju Seonbi Training Center (Min Trading Guild set)
Address: 374-1, Cheonggu-ri, Sunheung-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Yeongju Seonbichon Village
Address: 2796, Sobaek-ro, Sunheung-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Sosu Seowon Confucian Academy (Yeongju)
Address: 151-2, Naejuk-ri, Sunheung-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Dasan Ginkgo Forest (Goryeong)
Address: 969, Johak-ri, Dasan-myeon, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Jangseong Forest Retreat (National Jangseong Forest Resort)
Address: San 70-1, Jukcheong-ri, Bukha-myeon, Jangseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
Gimryongsa Temple (Mungyeong)
Address: 410, Gimyong-ri, Sanbuk-myeon, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Juamjeong Pavilion (Mungyeong)
Address: 368, Seojung-ri, Sanbuk-myeon, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Mungyeong Joseon Kiln Site
Address: Gwaneum-ri, Mungyeong-eup, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Mungyeongsaejae Set & Gaeun Open Set
Address : 84-2 Sangcho-ri, Mungyeong-eup, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongbuk
Yeolhwajeong Pavilion (Boseong)
Address: Obong-ri, Deungnyang-myeon, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
Goseokjeong (Cheorwon)
Address: 20-1, Jangheung-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
Baegun-dong Garden (Gangjin)
Address: 546, Wolhwa-ri, Seongjeon-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
Gwangil Ranch (Damyang)
Address: San 138-1, Jeonggok-ri, Gasamunhak-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
Namsa Yedam Village (Sancheong)
Address: 281-1, Namsa-ri, Danseong-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Seonunsa Temple (Gochang)
Address: 500, Sam-in-ri, Asan-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Jeju Gotjawal Forest Park
Address: 2848-2, Jeoji-ri, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
Gonggi Village Hinoki Forest (Wanju)
Address: San 214-1, Jugnim-ri, Sangwan-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Palhyeon Campground (Namyangju)
Address: 20, Palhyeon-ri, Onam-eup, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do
Other Filming Locations
Buan Video Theme Park
Address: 374, Gyeokpo-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
Yongin Daejanggeum Park
Address: 778-1, Yongcheon-ri, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Songso Historic House (Cheongsong)
Address: 15-2, Songsogotaek-gil, Pacheon-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Choi Champan’s House (Hadong)
Address: 483, Pyeongsari, Agyang-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea
Korean Folk Village
Address: 90, Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Korea Folk Village, South Korea
Kim Myeon-gwan Historic House (Jeongeup)
Address: Ogong-ri, Sanoe-myeon, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea
Taean National Coastal Park
Address: 16-1, Jangsan-ri, Taean-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
Hangyang Ildu Historic House
Address: Gaepyeong-ri, Jigok-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea
Painter of the Wind Set
Address: 60-1, Hwangto Village-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Namyangju Studio Complex
Dear Hongrang Plot Summary (Spoilers Included)
Sim Yeolguk, the son-in-law of the powerful merchant Min Sangdan, had been childless with his wife, Lady Min, for many years. Wishing to see a grandchild before his death, Min Sangdan brought in a surrogate. The child born from this surrogate was a daughter named Jae-i. However, since they had hoped for a son, and the surrogate died during childbirth, Jae-i grew up as an unwelcome and unloved member of the household.
Eventually, Lady Min became pregnant herself and gave birth to a son named Hongrang, one year younger than Jae-i. Jae-i was raised by her nanny, Eulbun Eomeom, and Hongrang, since he was a child, adored his older sister. But when he was eight, Hongrang went missing while trying to pick flowers for Jae-i. Lady Min blamed Jae-i for his disappearance and locked her away in a forest outpost as punishment.
Ten years passed. During this time, Sim Yeolguk adopted a young man named Mujin, the son of a fallen noble. Although they were technically siblings, Mujin fell for Jae-i the moment he saw her. Despite exhaustive efforts and the hiring of every skilled tracker available, the real Hongrang was never found—only impostors.
Jae-i, plagued with guilt and grief, longed to escape and search for her brother herself. Her only dream was to flee to Yanqing in China to find him, convinced he might have ended up there since he couldn’t be found anywhere in Joseon.
Then, one day, a tracker returned with a young man claiming to be Hongrang. He bore a scar on his hand and looked just like Lady Min. He was now a skilled swordsman at Haeweollu in Pyongyang but had no memories of his childhood. People assumed the trauma had caused his amnesia. Sim Yeolguk and Lady Min were convinced this was their long-lost son.
As the supposed Hongrang settled into the household, he struggled to recover his lost memories. But Jae-i instantly sensed that he was an impostor. He didn’t remember anything about their childhood, even moments that the real Hongrang would never forget. She scorned him for pretending to be her brother.
Lady Min, still harboring resentment, arranged for Jae-i to be married off to an old widower in Jeju. Unexpectedly, “Hongrang” intervened, saying Jae-i might help trigger his memories. As an excuse, he suggested they visit the home of a relative to jog his memory, and Jae-i accompanied him.
While visiting the family, Hongrang began to develop feelings for Jae-i, and she too started doubting herself—what if he really was her brother? Meanwhile, Mujin, feeling pushed aside after Hongrang’s arrival, secretly launched an investigation into his identity.
The deeper Mujin dug, the more it became clear that this man wasn’t the real Hongrang. Eventually, Mujin even ordered an assassination. However, Hongrang was no ordinary target—he survived the attempt, though severely wounded. Jae-i nursed him back to health, and as they grew closer, she found herself wishing he wasn’t her brother.
Sim Yeolguk remained suspicious but said nothing, fearing Lady Min’s wrath. Things changed when Sim discovered an erotic tattoo (a chunhwa) on Hongrang’s back. He realized the young man was one of the boys he had once gifted to Prince Hanpyeong.
Sim ordered Hongrang locked away, and Mujin went so far as to set the warehouse on fire, trying to kill him. Hongrang barely escaped, and the fire consumed much of Sim Yeolguk’s estate. As a result, Mujin lost Sim’s favor. Desperate, he proposed to Jae-i but was rejected, leading him to take his own life.
Meanwhile, Hongrang had long been preparing his revenge. He had been slowly poisoning Sim Yeolguk with a substance called seokcheong, pretending it was medicine. He had also been ingesting it himself, intending to die once his revenge was complete.
The truth behind Hongrang’s disappearance is revealed: the real Hongrang died 12 years ago after hitting his head on a rock while playing in the yard. Fearing punishment, the nanny, Eulbun Eomeom, threw his body into an old well that was later sealed by workers. No one ever found out the truth.
More shockingly, Hongrang was not Sim Yeolguk’s son. His real father was Yukson, Lady Min’s guard.
Dear Hongrang Ending
The fake Hongrang was actually a boy named Shinmyo, who had been kidnapped and gifted to Prince Hanpyeong. The prince, despite his image of loyalty, was a monstrous man who collected pale-skinned boys and locked them away in caves to preserve their appearance. Most of them died there. Shinmyo was one of these boys, but he managed to escape after the prince’s sudden death.
He was taken in by Songwol, the mistress of Haeweollu in Pyongyang. Her real name was Kkotnim, and she had once been in love with Sim Yeolguk—before he abandoned her for political ambition. Together, Kkotnim and Shinmyo plotted revenge. She gave him the identity of Hongrang and trained him for this mission.
Eventually, Sim Yeolguk’s illegal dealings were exposed, and he was imprisoned. Hongrang visited him in jail and gave him poisoned water, completing his revenge. He also set out to kill Lady Min but met Jae-i along the way, and they shared one final night of love.
After carrying out his revenge, Hongrang succumbed to the effects of the slow poison, seokcheong, and died.
With both Sim Yeolguk and Lady Min gone, Jae-i was left alone to inherit what remained of the Min merchant group. She sold off most of its assets and used the money to start a business of her own, bringing the story to a close.ang was not Sim Yeolguk’s son. His real father was Yukson, Lady Min’s guard.
Kdrama Dear Hongrang
‘Dear Hongrang’ is a uniquely crafted historical drama that even those who don’t usually enjoy sageuk (historical dramas) can appreciate. Experience the fateful love story between the fake Hongrang and Jae-ik, played by Lee Jae-wook and Jo Bo-ah. Check out the ending of ‘Dear Hongrang’ now on Netflix.
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