Dear Hongrang

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 and Jo Bo-ah. Based on Tangeum: Swallowing Gold by Jang Da-hye, the series follows how Jae-yi searches and uncover the truth behind Hong-rang's disappearance and the man claiming to be him. It premiered on Netflix on May 16, 2025.

Dear Hongrang
Promotional poster
Hangul	탄금
Lit.	Swallowing Gold
RR	Tangeum
MR	T'an'gŭm
Genre	Mystery[1] Melodrama[1] Sageuk[1]
Based on	Tangeum: Swallowing Gold by Jang Da-hye
Written by	Kim Jin-ah[1]
Directed by	Kim Hong-sun [ko][1]
Starring	Lee Jae-wook Jo Bo-ah
Music by	Kim Tae-seung[2]
Country of origin	South Korea
Original language	Korean
No. of episodes	11
Production
Running time	60—70 minutes
Production companies	Studio Dragon[3] Acemaker Movieworks[3] H House[3] EO Contents Group[3]
Original release
Network	Netflix
Release	May 16, 2025 (2025-05-16)

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

• Lee Jae-wook as Hong-rang^[4]
• Jo Bo-ah as Jae-yi^[5]

Supporting

• Jung Ga-ram as Mu-jin^[6]
• Uhm Ji-won as Min Yeon-ui^[7]
• Park Byung-eun as Shim Yeol-guk^[7]
• Kim Jae-wook as Prince Han Pyeong^[8]

Release

Initially, the series was reported to premiered on Netflix in early 2024.^[3][9] 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.^[10] In April 2025, the series was confirmed to be released on May 16.^[11]