Tangeum

The romance between Jae-yi and Hongrang is complicated by Jae-yi's uncertainty whether Hongrang is her brother or an imposter. (That ambiguity has arisen because Hongrang was kidnapped at a young age and only recently has turned up again, but without any recollection of the years.before he was kidnapped.) Added to that is that her growing attraction to Hongrang(?) will be incest if he is not an imposter.

And Mu-jin, the adopted brother of Jae-yi, loves her, wants to marry her, and is a rival to Hongrang(?).

It is further complicated because Jae-yi's mother, Min Yeon-ui, who controls the Min family business by heredity, thinks Jae-yi is cursed to bring bad luck, and wants to get rid of her. And Jae-yi's father, Sim Yeol-guk, who manages the business (although his wife has ownership) is intolerant of Jae-yi, who is next in line to take over. He is training Mu-jin to run the business (and follow Yeol-guk's instructions), but now Hongrang(?) appears to be the manager that owner Min Yeon-ui will appoint.

Not complicated enough? The two parents are actually at odds with each other and both have armies of thugs. Their conflict is putting the business in jeopardy. And a mad Prince (also with an army) wants to capture Hongrang(?) to sacrifice him and several others in a fantastical scheme to make himself a god. And the woman, Kkot-nim, who saved Hongrang(?) from the kidnappers as a child, and mothered him for years, also has an army of thugs and wants to kill Jae-yi and use Hongrang(?) to take over the Min family business.

So there is a lot of confusion here mixed with the romance and a lot of sword fights. Just the above outline already is exhausting.

But don't be discouraged: the story is dramatic, the romance is touching, the photography and costumes are great, the acting is convincing. Some of the editing is choppy and seems to have cut out a few transitions to further confuse things. Don't expect everything to immediately fall into place. Hang in there, and give it a shot.

Let's start with Hongrang himself. That man (ghost? Spirit? Tortured soul??) has no right being this mesmerizing. The way he moves, the way he speaks-every glance feels like it holds centuries of pain and longing. And the female lead: The raw desperation in her eyes, the way she teeters between hope and dread, wondering if this mysterious figure is really her lost brother or something far more sinister...

The atmosphere is everything. The fog-drenched forests, the eerie gut (shaman) rituals, the way the ghosts move-like whispers in the dark-it all feels so hauntingly real. And the soundtrack? Don't even get me started. There's this one song that plays during the most emotional scenes, and I swear, I get goosebumps every single time.

But what really got me was the emotional core of the story. It's not just about ghosts and mysteries-it's about grief, love, and the lengths we go to hold onto the people we've lost.

Tangeum (Dear Hongrang) is not just a historical drama - it is a cinematic poem woven with silence, sorrow, beauty, and longing. From its haunting score to its breathtaking cinematography, every frame feels like a painting brought to life.

At the heart of it all is Lee Jae Wook, delivering the most nuanced and soul-stirring performance of his career. As Hongrang, he carries the weight of pain, secrets, and impossible love with a depth rarely seen on screen. He acts not just with his voice and expression, but with breath, posture, and silence - conveying entire worlds through a single look. His transformation throughout the series is subtle yet powerful, and his final moments on screen leave an ache that lingers.

The story unfolds like a tragic lullaby - slow, deliberate, and devastatingly human. Tangeum is a rare drama that dares to feel deeply, and dares its audience to do the same. A true gem that deserves recognition for its artistry, emotional depth, and the unforgettable performance of its lead.

Pretty sure y'all are fans of Jang Uk from alchemy of souls just like me and would have known Jo Bo Ah from Tale of nine tailed. "Dear Hongrang" explores the unspoken issues of the Joseon period, such as the disappearance of small children, the harsh realities faced by children born out of wedlock, adoption, and complex relationships. The female lead is a true embodiment of a damsel in distress; she prioritizes the well-being of others over her own and leads an honest life. The plot takes a wild turn when the male lead appears, claiming to be her lost little brother from twelve years ago.

My only complaint about this drama is that no one voices the plot twists clearly. It requires careful attention, especially if you're not Korean like me. The subplots can make it challenging to understand the main storyline. At times, the story feels like it's going in circles without a clear conclusion, as all the characters simply try to get through the day. The female lead, male lead, and the supporting male lead all had difficult childhoods, and leaning on each other became their only source of strength and support. Their lives are manipulated by malicious individuals behind the scenes.

Overall, the series has a gloomy tone, very serious with little humor. However, the original soundtrack (OST) was exceptional and added depth to the somber atmosphere they aimed to create. It's worth watching at least once if you're a fan of the cast mentioned above. Thank you for reading this, and I hope you have a great day!

I'll be honest, coming from someone who got ADHD and struggles binge watching any series, this is the 2nd series I watched in one sitting. 1st one was Karma. This series got elements to hook someone who's not into lovey dovey flowery storyline with cute faced ML and FL. I liked everything bout it - cinematography, the color choices of costume of ML (white cause he represents death ), the OSTs, acting, action everything. The only let down was Netflix cutting short a drama who had the potential to be a global phenomenon. The plot sometimes felt rushed , romance built up needed some more time to be more impactful. But those can be overlooked due to the brilliant acting of the leads AND the villains esp KJW.

Would I recommend? Only to those who got the eyes and guts to watch unconventional, eerie kdramas which aren't all flowers and butterflies with Happy ending.