Dear Hongrang: It Will Make You Uncomfortable, But You'll Love It!

Recently released on Netflix, "Dear Hongrang" is a period K-Drama set in the Joseon period. It was directed by Kim Hong-Sun, who also directed "Money Heist: Korea - Joint Economic Area."

It tells the story of young Hongrang, played by Lee Jae-Wook, the son of a rich merchant family who disappeared when he was 8 years old. Ever since, his parents and his beloved half-sister from his dad's side, Jae-Yi (played by Cho Bo-Ah), have been looking for him. Jae-Yi never lost hope that they would find him.

After 12 years, Hongrang returns, but he doesn't remember anything that happened during these lost years. However, he is indeed hiding a secret, and that makes his sister and the people around him quite suspicious.

This TV show is quite deep and full of drama. You won't find funny quips or easy themes in it. The story begins with Jae-Yi struggling with her stepmother in her childhood, as she physically abused her. Her father, on the other side, neglected her.

It also starts out suspenseful, even a bit supernatural, but everything is explained eventually. Nonetheless, it also includes several scenes centered around child abuse, and they are very uncomfortable. Precisely because Jae-Yi wasn't close to the adults responsible for her in her childhood, she was very attached to her younger brother, Hongrang. They spent most of their time together, and loved each other deeply.

Out of her entire family, she is the one who invested more time and resources to rescue her young brother, as she knows he loves her just as much as she loves him.

At a certain moment, the now grown Hongrang tells Jae-Yi that he was never anything to anyone - that is, he never felt like a son or a brother. This is confusing because the audience can clearly see that he is loved by his mother and favored by his parents after he returns. However, in his mind, he doesn't know what is to be someone important to another person.

And, like so, despite all of these emotional gaps, Jae-Yi and Hongrang complete each other as adults, just as they did when they were kids.

Another detail that, at a first glance, is very uncomfortable, is when Jae-Yi, who is happy to have her brother back, starts feeling the same way she did as a kid, and gets even closer to her brother. However, 12 years later, after they were apart for so long and grew so much individually, she realizes that she no longer loves him as a sister only. Jae-Yi is in love with her brother, romantically.

Yes, these scenes are certainly strange and will make you feel uncomfortable. Particularly as Hongrang seems to feel the same as his sister, and the series shows them touching each other and glancing at each other.

However, as we mentioned, this K-Drama is a bit more complex than others, and, though some viewers may love it, some may hate it.

As expected of a period K-Drama in this dramatic style, "Dear Hongrang" has a bittersweet ending, some nice photography for the most introspective moments, extremely well-choreographed fighting sequences, and an exciting soundtrack.

By the way, the ending credits song is sublime. It almost sounds like a ritual of sorts, and perfectly embodies what the main villain wants. I already put it on my playlist.

One of the details that I truly enjoyed in this series was the symbolism in Hongrang's clothes. He frequently wears white, and white, in South Korea, can indicate purity, integrity, and new beginnings, but also funerals. This is a perfect parallel for how death surrounds Jae-Yi: it was always there, even if she only realizes it when she is saying "see you soon" to it, as this means they'll meet again, someplace, in another time.

My only criticism for this K-Drama is that, though I enjoyed the bittersweet ending, this type of protagonist - who needs other characters who love her to sacrifice themselves to make sure she is alright - can be extremely passive.

This doesn't really make sense for the character of Jae-Yi because, at the beginning of the series, she was very determined to find her brother. When the writers had other characters sacrifice themselves over and over for her, she became this weak caricature of herself, very different from when she was first introduced at the beginning of the story.

Otherwise, "Dear Hongrang" is perfect if you enjoy drama, suspense, and tragic love stories. Just like Jae-Yi and Hongrang, who weren't anything by themselves, when we are loved, we can find our place in the world.

What do you prefer? Purely happy endings, or bittersweet endings that make you reflect on your life? Tell us your thoughts in our comment section below.

Thank you for reading, and see you next time!