Netflix’s Most Anticipated K-Drama Unveils Shocking Family Twist in New Trailer

A new Netflix series based on a novel has released its teaser trailer and official poster. Titled 'Dear Hongrang', the mystery-romance period drama stars Jo Bo-ah and Lee Jae-wook and is set to premiere next month.

'Dear Hongrang' tells the story of Hongrang (played by Lee Jae-wook), the long-lost son of Joseon’s most powerful merchant clan. After disappearing as a child, he returns 12 years later with no memory of his past. The only one who suspects he may not be who he claims to be is his stepsister, Jae-yi (played by Jo Bo-ah). As doubt and suspicion grow, so does a delicate and forbidden emotional tension between them. The series is based on the novel ‘Tangeum: Swallowing Gold’ by author Jang Da-hye.

The poster captures the intense reunion of Hongrang and Jae-yi after 12 years. Hongrang appears distant and enigmatic, while Jae-yi’s suspicious gaze adds intrigue to their fragile dynamic. A separate image of a fearful young Hongrang raises further questions about the mystery behind his disappearance.

The teaser opens with a haunting scene of a young Hongrang wandering through a dark forest, as Jae-yi desperately searches for him. Over the years, imposters have emerged claiming to be Hongrang in an attempt to gain control of the powerful Minsang Trading House. But when the real Hongrang finally reappears, Jae-yi immediately suspects he’s a fraud.

The drama also introduces key characters: Mujin (played by Jung Ga-ram), the adopted son who stood in for Hongrang during his absence; Min Yeon-ui (Uhm Ji-won), the clan matriarch and Hongrang’s birth mother; Shim Yeol-guk (Park Byung-eun), the head of the trading house and biological father to both Hongrang and Jae-yi; and Han Pyeong-daegun (Kim Jae-wook), an artist known for his unparalleled aesthetic sense.

With the mystery of Hongrang’s identity, a slow-burning romance, and a string of child disappearances rekindled by his return, ‘Dear Hongrang’ promises a gripping blend of melodrama and suspense, seamlessly crossing genres.

After watching the teaser, viewers shared enthusiastic reactions such as: “I’ve never been this drawn in by a teaser before,” “Lee Jae-wook was born for historical dramas,” “This cast is perfection,” “A mix of mystery, melodrama, and sageuk? Say no more,” “I loved the book—been waiting for the drama!” “The mood is insane,” “It’s been too long since we had a good Korean period drama,” “Finally something worth watching,” and “The colors are stunning.”

‘Dear Hongrang’ is set to premiere globally on Netflix on June 16.

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