Netflix’s upcoming K-drama Dear Hongrang, starring Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah, has confirmed its global premiere date for May 16, 2025, accompanied by the release of its first official poster and teaser trailer. Set in the Joseon Dynasty, this mystery romance series, adapted from Jang Da Hye’s bestselling novel Tangeum: Swallowing Gold, promises a gripping narrative of family secrets, identity disputes, and complex emotions. Directed by Kim Hong Sun (Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area) and written by Kim Jin Ah (Dr. Brain), the drama features a stellar cast and intricate period visuals, generating significant buzz among fans worldwide.
Dear Hongrang Details:
Based on the novel Tangeum: Swallowing Gold by Jang Da Hye, published February 5, 2021, the drama centers on Hongrang (Lee Jae Wook), the heir of the powerful Min merchant family, who vanishes at age eight. Twelve years later, a man claiming to be Hongrang returns with no childhood memories, sparking suspicion. His half-sister Jae Yi (Jo Bo Ah) questions his identity, while their relationship blurs between sibling bonds and romantic tension. The series, produced by Studio Dragon, Ace Maker Movie Works, and H House, with IO Content Group as co-producer, will feature 12 episodes. Filming began October 4, 2024, and wrapped on May 31, 2024.
The first teaser trailer, released on April 17, 2025, opens with a young Hongrang lost in a dark forest, calling for Jae Yi, who searches for him desperately. Years later, impostors emerge, each claiming to be the missing heir to seize the Min family’s wealth. When a man appears after 12 years, widely accepted as the real Hongrang, Jae Yi immediately accuses him of being a fraud. The teaser showcases Hongrang’s martial arts prowess, including a scene where he defends Jae Yi from attackers, declaring, “You dare lay a finger upon my sister?” The trailer hints at strange rumors and child abductions linked to Hongrang’s return, amplifying the story’s suspense.
The official poster, unveiled alongside the teaser, features Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah face-to-face, their intense gazes reflecting distrust and intrigue. The tagline, “Your hidden secrets, your unspoken truth,” is prominently displayed, emphasizing the drama’s core themes of deception and revelation. Below them, an image of a young Hongrang wandering fearfully in a forest underscores the mystery of his disappearance. The poster’s dark, moody aesthetic complements the Joseon-era setting, promising rich historical detail.
Lee Jae Wook, known for Alchemy of Souls, returns to historical dramas as the enigmatic Hongrang, whose lack of memories and secretive demeanor drive the narrative. Jo Bo Ah, previously in Destined with You, plays Jae Yi, a sharp-witted woman with a troubled personality, torn between suspicion and attraction toward her supposed brother. The cast includes Jung Ga Ram as Mu Jin, the adopted son whose position is threatened by Hongrang’s return, forming a tense love triangle with Jae Yi. Uhm Ji Won portrays Min Yeon Eui, Hongrang’s mother, whose maternal love carries a dark edge, while Park Byung Eun plays Shim Yeol Guk, the ambitious patriarch. Kim Jae Wook appears as Grand Prince Han Pyeong, an artist with a discerning eye, adding further intrigue.
Netizens Reactions:
“Lee Jae Wook in a sageuk again? I’m seated! The teaser looks so intense!”
“Jo Bo Ah and Lee Jae Wook’s chemistry is already insane in the poster. May 16 can’t come soon enough!”
“Dear Hongrang’s plot sounds wild—missing heir, impostors, romance? Netflix is cooking!”
“That teaser gave me chills. Lee Jae Wook’s sword skills and Jo Bo Ah’s stare-down? Iconic.”
“Hongrang’s mystery is going to break the internet. The cast is stacked!”
The drama’s production team, led by Kim Hong Sun, is lauded for its meticulous recreation of Joseon-era aesthetics, from ornate costumes to sprawling merchant estates. The screenplay by Kim Jin Ah is expected to deliver layered character development, blending romance with psychological tension. Dear Hongrang marks Lee Jae Wook’s first historical role since Alchemy of Souls, while Jo Bo Ah continues to build her sageuk portfolio after Tale of the Nine Tailed. The series is poised to compete with other 2025 Netflix K-dramas, such as The Remarried Empress and Our Unwritten Seoul, given its high-profile cast and novel-based plot.
Industry Comparisons:
- Alchemy of Souls (Lee Jae Wook): A fantasy sageuk with 30 episodes across two seasons, averaging 6.5% nationwide ratings on tvN, peaking at 9.7%. Its global Netflix success boosted Lee Jae Wook’s international profile.
- Destined with You (Jo Bo Ah): A 16-episode JTBC rom-com sageuk, averaging 4.2% ratings, with strong streaming performance on Netflix. Jo Bo Ah’s chemistry with Rowoon drew praise.
- Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area (Kim Hong Sun): Directed by Kim Hong Sun, this 12-episode Netflix series garnered 33.7 million viewing hours in its first week, showcasing his ability to handle high-stakes narratives.
Historical data indicates Netflix’s K-dramas dominate global streaming, with 60% of 2024’s top non-English titles originating from South Korea. Dear Hongrang’s release aligns with Netflix’s strategy to capitalize on the Hallyu wave, following successes like Squid Game and Kingdom. The drama’s 12-episode format mirrors Netflix’s preference for concise, bingeable series, with an estimated production budget of ₩2 billion per episode, standard for high-end sageuks.
Twitter(X) Reactions:
“The Joseon vibes are immaculate. Lee Jae Wook as Hongrang is going to be legendary!”
“Jo Bo Ah’s Jae Yi looks so fierce. That poster is giving major drama!”
“Kim Jae Wook as a prince? Jung Ga Ram in a love triangle? Take my money!”
“Dear Hongrang’s teaser is so cinematic. Netflix is about to deliver another banger.”
“Lee Jae Wook’s last drama before military service? I’m emotional already.”
The series has sparked comparisons to other mystery sageuks like Under the Queen’s Umbrella, which achieved 7.7% ratings on tvN, due to its focus on family dynamics and hidden identities. Dear Hongrang’s unique angle—blending sibling bonds with potential romance—sets it apart, though some netizens speculate about pacing concerns given the novel’s dense plot. Social media posts highlight Lee Jae Wook’s swordsmanship and Jo Bo Ah’s emotional range as key draws, with fans praising the teaser’s production quality.
Filming concluded on May 31, 2024, after eight months, with Lee Jae Wook sharing an Instagram story thanking the Dear Hongrang team. The Netflix crew gifted him champagne and a gratitude card, signaling high expectations for his performance. Jo Bo Ah and Jung Ga Ram also posted behind-the-scenes content, showcasing the cast’s camaraderie. The drama’s release date was first hinted at in Netflix’s Q2 2025 lineup announcement on February 4, 2025, with the May 16 confirmation solidifying its slot.
Dear Hongrang’s narrative draws parallels to historical cases of impostors in Joseon, such as the 17th-century false prince scandals, where claimants exploited noble families for wealth. The Min family’s art trade background reflects Joseon’s merchant class rise during the late 18th century, adding historical depth. The drama’s exploration of child abductions ties into real-era issues of human trafficking, though stylized for dramatic effect.
On April 16, 2025, Netflix released the first teaser trailer and poster for Dear Hongrang, confirming the May 16, 2025, premiere. The announcement, shared across Netflix’s social media and reported by Soompi, Pinkvilla, and allkpop, detailed the cast, plot, and production team, with the teaser garnering over 500,000 views on YouTube within 24 hours.
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SOURCE: Netflix Official Announcement
