Cho Bo-ah Bounces Back from Kim Soo-hyun Fallout in New Netflix Romance with Lee Jae-wook

Netflix’s original Korean series Dear Hongrang is set to premiere on May 16 at 4 PM KST, and the platform has unveiled a teaser poster and trailer that tease a hauntingly mysterious love story wrapped in secrets and suspicion.

The drama follows Hong-rang (played by Lee Jae-wook), the long-lost son of Joseon’s most powerful merchant clan, who returns after disappearing 12 years earlier—with no memory of his past. The only person who doubts his identity is his half-sister, Jae-yi (played by Jo Bo-ah), and between them begins a slow-burning and enigmatic romance.

Helming the project is Kim Hong-sun, known for hit series like Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area, The Guest, and Voice. Screenplay duties are handled by Kim Jin-a, writer of Apple TV+’s sci-fi thriller Dr. Brain—making this a much-anticipated creative collaboration.

The newly released teaser poster captures the eerie reunion of Hong-rang and Jae-yi after 12 years. His mysterious reappearance and her intense suspicion set the stage for a complex emotional battle. The tagline, “Swallowing secrets and sincerity,” raises questions about whether the man claiming to be Hong-rang is truly her long-lost brother—and what dark truths he may be hiding.

The teaser trailer begins in an ominous forest, showing young Hong-rang wandering in fear and young Jae-yi desperately searching for him. In the present day, various figures claiming to be Hong-rang surface, targeting the powerful merchant clan’s fortune. But when one man appears—unquestioned by all—Jae-yi alone insists he’s a fake. Tension escalates as the two circle each other with wariness and doubt.

Supporting characters add further intrigue:

Jung Ga-ram as Mujin, the adopted heir who stepped in during Hong-rang’s absence

Uhm Ji-won as Min Yeon-ui, Hong-rang’s mother and matriarch of the clan

Park Byung-eun as Sim Yeol-guk, Hong-rang and Jae-yi’s biological father

Kim Jae-wook as Han Pyeong-daegun, a nobleman with an unrivaled eye for beauty

In a striking final scene, Hong-rang—fierce and skilled with a blade—protects Jae-yi from an unknown threat, declaring, “How dare you lay a hand on my sister?” This powerful moment hints at the shifting dynamics between the siblings as suspicion gives way to something deeper.

Based on Jang Da-hye’s popular novel “Tangeum: Swallowing Gold”, the series borrows its name from an ancient Chinese punishment where victims were forced to swallow molten gold until death. The title metaphorically reflects the beautiful yet brutal fates awaiting the characters.

Expect a visually rich, genre-bending series that blends mystery, romance, and historical drama, with layered storytelling and a cast of characters fighting against destiny. Dear Hongrang promises to break conventions—and hearts—when it lands on Netflix next month.

Could ‘Dear Hongrang’ Be Cho Bo-ah’s Comeback After Disney+’s ‘Knock Off’ Stall?

Before joining Dear Hongrang, Cho Bo-ah had been slated to co-star with Kim Soo-hyun in an upcoming Disney+ series titled Knock Off. The project, a high-profile thriller set in the world of counterfeit luxury goods, had generated significant buzz thanks to its star-studded lineup.

However, the drama’s future was suddenly thrown into uncertainty after Kim Soo-hyun’s legal dispute with the family of the late actress Kim Sae-ron and others became public. While Disney+ has not officially announced any delays or cancellations, the controversy has reportedly caused internal disruptions, leading to speculation that production may be postponed—or even restructured. For now, Knock Off remains in limbo, and Cho Bo-ah has pivoted to focus on her Netflix project alongside Lee Jae-wook.

Get the latest on K-pop & K-drama here!