“Dear Hongrang” K-Drama: Plot, Cast, Filming Locations, Reviews, And Where To Watch

K-Drama “Dear Hongrang” recorded 2.2 million views and 24.1 million hours of viewing time just three days after its release. According to the Netflix Tudum, it ranked 6th place globally in the non-English TV show category which signals its strong start.

Based on a web novel, "Tangeum: Swallowing Gold," “Dear Hongrang” depicts the story of HongRang, who suddenly disappears and returns after 12 years. The mystery-melo historical drama starring Lee JaeWook and Cho BoAh continues to gain interest from K-Drama fans. It is written by Kim JinA of "Dr. Brain" and directed by Kim HongSeon of "Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area."

Are you still wondering whether the 11-episode drama is worth binge-watching? Here is a quick guide to the drama, including plot, cast, filming locations, reviews, and where to watch.

“Dear Hongrang” Plot

"Dear Hongrang" is set in the late Joseon Dynasty, where HongRang, the son of a wealthy merchant, suddenly disappears. JaeYi (played by Cho BoAh), HongRang's half-sister, who has been close to him since childhood, takes a difficult turn in life after his disappearance. She begins seeking the truth behind his sudden vanishing.

For 12 years, many impostors show up claiming to be Hongrang, until HongRang (played by Lee JaeWook), returns without a memory of his childhood. Everyone believes he is the true HongRang, except for JaeYi.

“Dear Hongrang” Cast

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Lee JaeWook as HongRang
HongRang is the successor of the Min family who lost his memory after returning home following a 12-year mysterious disappearance.

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Cho BoAh as JaeYi
JaeYi is the stepsister of HongRang, who doesn’t believe that he is the true HongRang.

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Uhm JiWon as MinYeon
MinYeon is HongRang's biological mother and JaeYi’s stepmother. She fell into despair over HongRang's disappearance 12 years ago and turned to drugs.

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Kim JaeWook as Prince HanPyeong
Prince HanPyeong is the king’s brother, who cares more about painting than politics.

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Jung GaRam as Sim MuJin
After HongRang’s disappearance, Sim MuJin becomes the presumed heir of the Min family through adoption.

“Dear Hongrang” Filming Locations

In reality, no actual location perfectly matches the setting depicted in "Dear Hongrang," as it was created using a combination of hanok and CGI. However, most of Minsangdan was filmed at the Korean Scholar Culture Training Center in Yeongju. Here are the filming locations of "Dear Hongrang" which you can add on your Korea travel list!

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유명산 설매재 (Yumyeongsan Seolmaejae)

Address: 661 Yongcheon-ro, Okcheon-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

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한국민속촌 (Korean Folk Village)

Address: 90 Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

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용인대장금파크 (Yongin Dae Jang Geum Park)

Address: 25 Yongcheon drama-gil, Baegam-myeon, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do

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고석정 (Goseokjeong)

Address: 1825 Taebong-ro, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do

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바람의화원 세트장 (Wind’s Garden Set)

Address: 44-18 Songmun-ro deokpyeong 1-gil, Cheongcheon-myeon, Goesan-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do

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마도 해안절벽 (Mado Coastal Cliff)

Address: San 11, Sinjindo-ri, Geunheung-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do

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꽃지해수욕장 (Ggotji Beach)

Address: 339-285 Seung-eon-ri, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do

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선운산 (Seonunsan Mountain)

Address: San 130, Yeonhwa-ri, Simwon-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do

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백운동정원 (Baekundong Garden)

Address: 32-17 Ganggol-gil, Deungnyang-myeon, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, 59437, Republic of Korea

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한국선비문화수련원 (Korean Scholar Culture Training Center)

Address: 2806 Sobaek-ro, Sunheung-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

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소수서원 (Confucian Academy)

Address: 2740 Sobaek-ro, Sunheung-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

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문경새재오픈세트장 (Mungyeong Saejae Open Set)

Address: 932 Saejae-ro, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

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주암정 (Juamjeong Pavilion)

Address: 41-3 Seojung-ri, Sanbuk-myeon, Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

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송소고택 (Songso Historic House)

Address: 15-2 Songsogotaek-gil, Pacheon-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do

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함양일두고택 (Hamyang Il-Du Historic House)

Address: https://maps.app.goo.gl/H4qVFZ1mSzFVYZ9w5

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최참판댁 (Pyeongsari Field)

Address: 66-7 Pyeongsari-gil, Agyang-myeon, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

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화왕산 (Hwaak Mountain)

Address: San 80-2, Ucheon-ri, Goam-myeon, Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do

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“Dear Hongrang” Reviews

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What makes "Dear Hongrang" interesting is that it combines mystery and melodrama, revolving around the pursuit of truth in a Joseon dynasty setting. Class culture, trade rivalry, and power struggles form the background of the story, making it even more gripping. It also incorporates elements of hidden family history, retaliation, and forgiveness, adding emotional depth to the narrative.

Reddit K-Drama fans praise the drama’s intriguing narrative and breathtaking visual composition. "This drama is STUNNING; visually, it is absolutely wonderful," a fan commented.

"The cinematography is beautiful. I don’t normally pay attention to it, but here I can’t help noticing it," another fan added.

"I am still in the first 15 minutes, and I am completely hooked; the show is fast-paced, and its cinematography is just stunning," a third fan shared.

The drama’s OST is also praised by fans for fitting the scenes well. "The OST does not intrude on the scenes at all; instead, it enhances the show's atmosphere while also having a significant impact and standing out when necessary. Pretty cool," a fan explained.

Despite growing interest, some K-Drama viewers remain dissatisfied due to the use of the fake or adopted sibling trope. "Although I haven't watched the drama, I don't understand why K-Dramas continue to include a strange incestuous angle in their romantic plots. I always find it off-putting," one viewer writes.

"The fact that he kissed her without first informing her that they weren't related is quite unsettling. If they had clarified that they weren't related before discussing the romance, I would have been a huge fan," another added.

Some viewers also express frustration with Netflix's subtitles: "This is a recurring issue I encounter with historical dramas, as the distinct way of speaking is more difficult to translate accurately," a fan wrote.

Where to Watch “Dear Hongrang”

“Dear Hongrang” is exclusively on Netflix, with 11 episodes available for streaming globally.

Why You Should Watch "Dear Hongrang"

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If you are looking for historical K-Drama beyond court politics and typical love stories, "Dear Hongrang" is worth watching! Blending mystery and melodrama, the drama unwraps mysteries of power, class, and identity against the backdrop of a beautiful setting.

With excellent acting from Lee JaeWook and Cho BoAh, "Dear Hongrang" is brimful with emotional drama and built-in tension at every twist. The cinematography is breathtaking, and the multi-stranded story with themes of vengeance, hidden truth, and family loyalty will hook you in. Sageuk fans and genre newbies alike will find it a new and thrilling experience.