Netflix’s new original K-drama Dear Hongrang hit the screen on May 16. It’s based on the historical mystery novel Tangeum: Swallowing Gold by Jang Da-hye. This drama dives deep into the past and tells a chilling story wrapped in ambition, pain, and mystery.
At the center of the story is the word “Tangeum.” It comes from two Chinese characters—“tan,” which means swallowing, and “geum,” which means gold. In old times, this was a brutal way of execution. Swallowing gold wasn’t just physical—it was symbolic. It meant the end of someone’s wealth, power, and often, their life. This punishment was usually handed out to nobles or royal family members who had lost the king’s trust.
Gold, often seen as a sign of status and success, becomes something much darker in this context. In this drama, it means much more than just money. It stands for what people want most—power, love, recognition, or safety. But the show makes it clear: chasing these things blindly comes with a heavy cost.
How the Characters Swallow Their Own “Gold”
Each character in Dear Hongrang is chasing something. And they’re willing to do almost anything to get it. Sim Yeol-guk (played by Park Byung-eun) gives up his own family. He sacrifices others to follow his own path to power. His plan ties in with Han Pyeong-daegun (played by Kim Jae-wook), the king’s brother. This character isn’t interested in ruling. Instead, he’s obsessed with becoming something greater than human.
Han Pyeong-daegun uses children as tools for his goal. He carves drawings onto their skin, trying to turn them into what he calls “human talismans.” His goal is strange but clear—to become a god. Not in the literal sense, but in the way he views power. He wants to rise above everyone else, no matter the cost.
Others, like Min Yeon-ui (played by Uhm Ji-won), are more practical but just as ruthless. She sees Hong-rang’s return as a chance to climb the social ladder. For her, people are just steps on the way up.
On the other side, some characters are ruled by love instead of ambition. Sim Mu-jin (played by Jung Ga-ram) chooses honor over loyalty and dreams of marrying Sim Jae-yi (played by Jo Bo-ah), who is actually his half-sister. Their bond is complex, and it leads them into dangerous territory.
Sim Hong-rang (played by Lee Jae-wook), the main character, also finds himself pulled by love and loyalty. He and Sim Jae-yi grow closer, but their feelings don’t lead to happiness. Instead, they end up in a deadly struggle, facing pain that love alone can’t solve.
In the End, Did Anyone Win?
Despite chasing gold in different forms—money, power, love—none of the characters really get what they want. The ones who wanted wealth or influence met cruel ends. Some are shot. Others are killed by blades. Even those who chose love suffer.
Shim Jae-yi survives. She inherits her father’s merchant business and gives away her wealth, maybe hoping to find peace. But she loses both Shim Mu-jin and Sim Hong-rang, who gave everything to protect her.
In the final moments, there’s a scene where Hong-rang appears again in the snow. Is he alive? Or is it just her memory? The show leaves it open. This story isn’t just about history. It’s about people. About how far they’ll go to chase what matters most to them. And about what happens when they go too far.
Dear Hongrang tells a quiet but powerful truth. That chasing something—money, love, success—can change a person. And not always for the better. It’s not a loud or flashy drama. But it hits hard. It stays with you.
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
