Netflix has found success all across the board with the unique hand of dramas presented this year. Now, a historical piece called Dear Hongrang (Tangeum) is raising brows with its tasteful mix of mystery and melodrama.
Starring Jo Bo Ah, Lee Jae Wook and Jung Garam, the premise of the show circles around the missing prince Hongrang, heir to Joseon’s largest merchant, and the chaos surrounding his alleged disappearance. Rumors of a ghost and a painter kidnapping surface, but of course, there is some truth behind what or who exactly kidnapped him. After 13 years, a 20-year-old young man returns and is believed to be him, but his half-sister Jae Yi (Jo Bo Ah), who plays somewhat of a rogue-Mulan role throughout the series and has been desperately looking for Hongrang, has trouble believing the imposter.
Jae Yi’s story is simply tragic, but simple at best. The evil Queen who treats badly. Check. Past trauma and clenching at old wounds? Check. A love triangle that can’t be beat? Check. Despite being riddled with cliches, her rogue-like nightly ventures and hunt for her lost brother make her appear daring and self-reliant, but the mistakes she makes along the way showcase how she is still just a maid in life, not a cunning warrior like “The reaper” and the next heir, Mu Jin. Her sorrow tugs at the heart as she often puts her hands in a circle shape around her eye, questioning “Hongrang, do you see me?” into the nothingness, making her appear pitiful despite her strong outward appearance. She is still humanly fragile, and it makes her likable.
The story isn’t anything too captivating, but the cast was well selected as their acting keeps fans intrigued. Lee Jae Wook (as adult Hongrang) is cold, unapproachable, and his serious demeanor makes him enjoyable to watch as he softens. His growing affections for Jae Yi and watching him go from hard ice to soft pudding keep viewers glued to the screen. To contrast Hongrang’s bitter taste, Mu Jin (Jung Garam) is a caring, doting, and attentive perfect prince, and his sincerity towards Jae Yi chokeholds us into cheering for him too. Despite their seemingly forbidden, can’t we hope just a little? The battle of two love stories is mainly keeping us attached. Hats off to Jung Garam for really playing his part passionately. The actor seems suitable for historical pieces, and his charming expressions, both happy and sad, jump off the screen and have a genuine spot in the viewers’ hearts.
The scoring for the drama is well done. It tiptoes between cultural Korean sounds and more modern, impactful pieces that set the tone for various scenes. Soft and tender scenes between Jae Yi and Hongrang feel emphasized by the music, whereas the sorrowful scenes of Mu Jin are highlighted nicely.
The setting is absolutely praiseworthy. Every detail is well-developed, and it’s fun to see the intricacy in various parts of the Joseon Era shining through the costumes, cuisine, and sets. The characters, from noble to poor, bring the viewer into their world, and it features a lot of Korean history without outwardly stating it. From Korean superstitions of rats becoming humans to the history of parallels between the wealthy and impoverished, the historical aspects were well represented.
Alongside this, the story has its sub-plots and plot twists that contribute to the story, such as the opium addicted Lady Min, who beats Jae Yi and belittles Mu Jin, suddenly taking interest in the Joseon’s merchant battle and causing havoc every step of the way (literally lives to hate her). The political turmoil surrounding the next heir and the greed of the empire take a front seat at some points and require some media literacy, but the love story remains intact. The escalation of the story into Jae Yi’s not only escaping her entrapment marriage but also finding new love in Hongrang after his true identity is revealed is enough to keep viewers watching until the very end.
Overall, the story isn’t something new to write home about, comparatively, but it is interesting enough to pacify even picky viewers. The two male leads surely captivate viewers, and the answers to the many mysteries are entertaining despite it being a slow-burn. Fighting scenes are thrilling, and if historical K-Dramas are your cup of tea, this drama will absolutely shed light on both the good and bad of life during Joseon. While long and dialogue-heavy, there are enough action scenes and mystery surrounding the painter and “Snow Ma,n” who kidnaps children that fans can enjoy more than just a love story with Dear Hongrang. (7.5/10)
