Dear Hongrang

Dear Hongrang
Promotional poster
Hangul
탄금
Lit.Swallowing Gold
RRTangeum
MRT'an'gŭm
Genre
Based on
Tangeum: Swallowing Gold
by Jang Da-hye
Written byKim Jin-ah
Directed byKim Hong-sun [ko]
Starring
Music byKim Tae-seung
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes11
Production
Running time60—70 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)

Dear Hongrang (Korean: 탄금) is a South Korean mystery melodrama sageuk television series written by Kim Jin-ah, directed by Kim Hong-sun [ko], and starring Lee Jae-wook, Jo Bo-ah, Jung Ga-ram, Uhm Ji-won, Park Byung-eun, and Kim Jae-wook. 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.

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

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.
A stand-in for the lost heir Hong-rang who was born into a fallen noble family.
The matriarch of the clan who will stop at nothing to reclaim her lost son.
The ruthless head of the clan and father of Hongrang and Jae-i, who makes cold, calculated choices in pursuit of his ambition.
The king's only brother, indifferent to politics and court affairs, yet deeply devoted to scholarship and art.

Supporting

Shim Yeol-guk's subordinate.
The leader of the group searching for Mu-jin.
Min Yeon-ui's confidant.
Mu-jin's right-hand man.
A shaman.
Deputy leader of the sword guild.
Hong-rang's sworn brother.
Leader of the sword guild.

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal 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 [ko]Kim Jin-ahMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)
2"The One Who Stole Our World"
Transliteration: "Sesangeul asagan seorin" (Korean: 세상을 앗아간 설인)		Kim Hong-sunKim Jin-ahMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)
3"The Most Authentic Replica"
Transliteration: "Jinpum gateun gapum" (Korean: 진품 같은 가품)		Kim Hong-sunKim Jin-ahMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)
4"Our Reflective Scars"
Transliteration: "Geoulcheoreom bichineun sangheun" (Korean: 거울처럼 비치는 상흔)		Kim Hong-sunKim Jin-ahMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)
5"The Thicker the Veil, the Clearer the Heart"
Transliteration: "Garimsok seonmyeonghaejineun, nungarim" (Korean: 가림속 선명해지는, 눈가림)		Kim Hong-sunKim Jin-ahMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)
6"Nothing Mu, Finished Jin - Brother Mu-jin"
Transliteration: "Eopseul mu, dahal jin - orabeoni mujin" (Korean: 없을 무, 다할 진 - 오라버니 무진)		Kim Hong-sunKim Jin-ahMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)
7"Roaring Waves"
Transliteration: "Hwimorachineun padong" (Korean: 휘몰아치는 파동)		Kim Hong-sunKim Jin-ahMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)
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-sunKim Jin-ahMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)
9"The Living Offering"
Transliteration: "Sarainneun sopum" (Korean: 살아있는 소품)		Kim Hong-sunKim Jin-ahMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)
10"A Bittersweet Farewell"
Transliteration: "Dachi mothal insa" (Korean: 닿지 못할 인사)		Kim Hong-sunKim Jin-ahMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)
11"Forever and After"
Transliteration: "Yeongwontorok, yeongyeong" (Korean: 영원토록, 영영)		Kim Hong-sunKim Jin-ahMay 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)

Release

Initially, the series was reported to premiered on Netflix in early 2024. 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. In April 2025, the series was confirmed to be released on May 16.

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 80% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8/10.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Im, Min-ji (September 20, 2023). 이재욱X조보아→김재욱 '탄금' 캐스팅..미스터리 멜로 사극(공식) [Lee Jae-wook X Jo Bo-ah, Kim Jae-wook 'Tangeum' casting..Mystery melodrama historical drama (Official)] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023 – via Naver.
  2. ↑ "Tangeum: Swallowing Gold (Original novel of Netflix's Dear Hongrang) 탄". Life Pattern Korea. Retrieved November 12, 2025.
  3. ↑ Kim, Tae-seung (June 6, 2024). 최근 작업 시작한 작품들입니다. [These are the works I started working on recently.]. Kim Tae-seong & Monopole (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 23, 2022. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Between Love & Shadows: 'Hong Rang' to Unveil the Secrets of the Joseon Heir". Netflix. September 20, 2023. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  5. ↑ Jeong, Ga-young (April 19, 2023). [단독] 이재욱, 미스터리 로맨스 '탄금' 주인공 [[Exclusive] Lee Jae-wook, main character in mystery romance 'Tangeum'] (in Korean). Sports Worldi. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023 – via Naver.
  6. ↑ Kim, Hyun-jung (April 19, 2023). [단독] 조보아, 드라마 '탄금' 주인공 캐스팅 [[Exclusive] Jo Bo-ah cast as main character in drama 'Tangeum'] (in Korean). Xports News. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023 – via Naver.
  7. ↑ Hong, Se-young (May 25, 2023). [단독] '사랑의 이해' 정가람, 사극 첫 도전...'탄금' 출연 [[Exclusive] 'Understanding Love' Jung Ga-ram, first challenge in a historical drama...Appearing in 'Tangeum'] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023 – via Naver.
  8. 1 2 Lee, Min-ji (September 20, 2023). 넷플릭스 '탄금' 이재욱-조보아→엄지원 김재욱 캐스팅 확정 [공식] [Netflix's 'Tangeum' Lee Jae-wook and Jo Bo-ah → Eom Ji-won and Kim Jae-wook casting confirmed [Official]] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023 – via Naver.
  9. ↑ Lee, Seung-hoon (May 25, 2023). [단독]김재욱, 15년만 사극 출연..'탄금' 한평대군 캐스팅 [[Exclusive] Kim Jae-wook, appearing in a historical drama for the first time in 15 years... Casting Prince Han Pyeong in 'Tangeum'] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on September 20, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023 – via Naver.
  10. ↑ Hwang, Dong-hee (March 25, 2023). "[Herald Interview] Untold story of pansori master Lee Nal-chi comes to life". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  11. ↑ Rahman, Abid (February 3, 2025). "Netflix Reveals 2025 Korean Slate of Films, Series Including New Seasons of 'Culinary Class Wars' and 'Single's Inferno'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 6, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  12. ↑ Kang, Sun-ae (April 17, 2025). "Lee Jae-wook & Jo Bo-ah's Mystery Romance Period Drama 'Dear Hongrang' Set to Premiere on Netflix May 16". SBS News. Retrieved April 17, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Dear Hongrang: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved March 6, 2026.