Latest news with #AlchemyofSouls
Indian Express
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Will there be Dear Hongrang season 2 based on the original novel Tangeum's ending? Netflix keeps the possibility open
Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah's new historical mystery K-drama Dear Hongrang ended its 11-episode run on May 17 after debuting the same day on Netflix. If you've already watched it, you're probably aware of the bittersweet ending and may have even found yourself scrolling through a fan thread, trying to piece it all together. Now, fans are wondering if Dear Hongrang will follow in the footsteps of Lee Jae Wook's previous historical fantasy Alchemy of Souls and return with a Part 2 to continue the story. While there's no official word from the streamer yet, it's worth noting that the series is based on the 2021 novel Tangeum: Swallowing Gold, which also inspired a webtoon under the same name. So, whether the show expands or stops here depends a lot on how the novel wrapped things up. Also read: Dear Hongrang star Jo Bo Ah reveals nickname she gave to Lee Jae Wook, shares why she keeps distance from male co-stars Yes, the story is inspired by Tangeum by the renowned Korean author Jang Da Hye. Just as shown in the Netflix adaptation, the story is set in the late Joseon Dynasty, where a young boy, the only son of a powerful merchant guild, disappears on the very night he promises to pick red camellias for his little stepsister. Ten years later, he returns with the same habits and same scars but claims he remembers nothing about his past life. An ancient blood-mixing technique somehow proves he is the long-lost son of the family, but his sister, Jae Yi, isn't convinced. Jae Yi grows up searching for her brother her whole life while living in a suffocating home, filled with opium smoke and betrayal. Then there's Mu Jin, the adopted son of the Min family. He grew up with Jae Yi. Once, he may have seen her as a sister. Now, his feelings have twisted into love. Also read: Dear Hongrang ending explained: 7 burning questions answered in Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah story finale Why Tangeum? Tangeum translates to 'swallowing gold.' It's a poetic Korean phrase used to describe suicide, especially among 'noblewomen or courtesans driven by despair.' The story focuses less on uncovering Hong Rang's identity and more on the characters themselves, each broken in a different way, and how one incident fractures every bond — three people, caught in a web of memory, pain, desire, and guilt. The possibility of Dear Hongrang getting a renewal is quite low, or even a complete no, given the current series has wrapped up all the arcs written in the novel, and Hongrang's character met the same fate as Lee Jae Wook's: taking his last breath in the arms of Jae Yi. The series covered everything, including the brutal history of the soul reaper, how he was poisoned in childhood, which slowly led his body and organs to give up.. The villain meets a tragic end after Hongrang chops off the same arms that claimed the lives of so many innocent kids. According to author Jang Da Hye, she painstakingly rewrote her characters' emotional arcs multiple times before publishing. The book is drenched in symbolism and emotion. However, when adapted on screen, writer Kim Jin Ah (The Devil Judge) and director Kim Hong Sun (The Guest, The Witch's Diner) leaned harder into the political intrigue and suspense, though the story and character arcs largely stayed true to the source. What's surprising is that Netflix still hasn't marked the series as Limited, leaving the door slightly open. But if the story expands, it'll likely go beyond the book, into completely original fiction. If you can read Korean, or even if you're semi-fluent and willing to work through it with tools, Tangeum is 100% worth it. There's no official English translation yet, but the demand has skyrocketed. There's also a webtoon version on Ridibooks.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Dear Hongrang star Lee Jae Wook reveals if romance with aespa's Karina impacted his work
Lee Jae Wook and actor Jo Bo Ah recently starred in the new K-drama Dear Hongrang. The show, which is streaming on Netflix, received a decent response, though slightly lower compared to Alchemy of Souls. The cast appeared for an interview in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, to discuss the success of the historical melodrama, right after the initial viewership numbers released. But fans' sentiment towards the lead actor, Lee Jae Wook, instantly shifted after he referenced his romance with K-pop idol aespa's Karina, which made headlines back in 2024. Also read: Dear Hongrang star Jo Bo Ah reveals nickname she gave to Lee Jae Wook, shares why she keeps distance from male co-stars For Lee Jae Wook, Dear Hongrang marks his second outing in a historical story, following the release of Alchemy of Souls Part 2. In the show, he plays the role of the long-lost son of the Joseon era's wealthiest merchant guild family, who disappeared at the age of 12 and then returned 10 years later as a sword-wielding hero with a hidden motive. Speaking about the role and the character's physical demands, Lee said, 'This was the most challenging action work I've done so far,' he said. 'With close combat scenes, there's always the risk of injury, so I focused intensely on safety.' Lee also shared how his fans posted multiple leaked photographs from the sets on social media platforms, with him styled in hanbok. 'Screenshots of my expressions online, even the exaggerated ones. I'm glad they enjoyed it. I think hanbok actually suits me better than I expected,' he said. However, the conversation soon shifted towards the fans' reception, which somehow changed after the sudden revelation of his relationship with aespa's Karina, after Dispatch posted photos confirming the romance. Also read: Dear Hongrang ending explained: 7 burning questions answered in Lee Jae Wook and Jo Bo Ah story finale During the interview, the host asked Lee Jae Wook about his brief relationship. When pressed on how the news impacted his work, he said, 'The dating revelation didn't affect my focus on the project.' He added, 'I'd rather not go into personal matters. I hope we can focus on the character and the story of Dear Hongrang,' according to South Korean news outlet, Star News. Fans of Karina were disappointed about how the topic was brought up out of the blue. And given how rare it is for Korean actors or idols to speak about their relationships, Lee's statement caused a stir among fans. Karina and Lee Jae Wook's relationship made global headlines after the K-pop idol issued an apology letter following the leak of her personal photographs with the actor. Just five weeks after this, the couple called it quits. Lee's agency C-Jes released a statement saying, 'Actor Lee Jae Wook decided to end the relationship in order to focus on his work that he is currently filming. The two will remain good colleagues and support one another.' However, at the same time, a report by Tenasia claimed the real reason behind the split was the 'excess mental strain' caused by the hate comments. The two reportedly grew close after attending a fashion show in Milan earlier the same year and continued meeting in Seoul.
News18
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Lee Jae Wook Vows To Work ‘Until The Moment He Leaves' For Military Service
Last Updated: Lee Jae Wook has been dropping hints about his military enlistment, with reports suggesting that he might enlist in 2025. South Korean actor Lee Jae Wook has been in the headlines for his latest show, Dear Hongrang. Apart from that, details surrounding his future plans, dating rumours with aespa's Karina, and military enlistment have also piqued interest among fans. In a recent interview, Lee Jae Wook dropped a major update about reaching a deadline to enlist. Speaking at a press conference in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, the actor shared that he wants to work till the last moment before leaving for service. 'I've reached the final deadline. I wasn't diligent enough to pursue graduate school or other options." He continued, 'Even if I enlist, I want people to be able to find a lot of my work and writings. So I plan to keep working as much as possible until the moment I leave," he said, as quoted by Allkpop. This is not the first time that the actor has hinted at the enlistment plans. In 2024, Lee Jae Wook appeared on KBS's The Seasons: Artist With ZICO, where he informed his fans about having very little time before going for the mandatory services. 'There is not much time left until I leave for the military. I'm thinking about going next year, but I'll try to do a lot of activities before I leave," he said at the time. More On Lee Jae Wook's Dating Life, Projects While both Lee Jae Wook's and Karina's agencies had already confirmed the artists' relationship status, their romance was short-lived after the couple parted ways due to mental strain from hate comments. The Alchemy of Souls actor also addressed the same during the interview and asserted how it didn't affect his role during the filming of Tangeum (Dear Hongrang). 'It didn't really affect my immersion in the role. Going into more detail would make it too personal, so I'd rather not," he shared. Dear Hongrang is currently streaming on Netflix. The show, which also features Jo Bo-ah, revolves around the mysterious tale of the youngest son of a wealthy family in the Joseon Era. After Hongrang goes missing at the young age of 8, his half-sister (played by Jo Bo-ah) leaves no stone unturned to search for him. 12 years later, a man claiming to be Hongrang appears before the family, leaving everyone puzzled. First Published:
Pink Villa
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Resident Playbook Ep 11-12 Review: Go Yoon Jung, Shin Si Ah, Kang Ye Ji and Kang You Seok's emotional closure is enjoyable
The final two episodes of Resident Playbook arrived faster than we expected, and thankfully, it was a delightful coming-of-age arc that tied its loose ends and made us grin in response. Go Yoon Jung 's Oh Yi Young and Jung Joon Won's Ku Do Won's relationship finally saw itself taking root and fans were awaiting some positive progression, only to be met with a sugar-coated turn of events, which we honestly did not mind. It seemed as though the Resident Playbook crew had fully embodied the Hospital Playlist team for the finale. The rollercoaster of emotions, happy and sad parallels, and well-placed cameos presented a well-rounded end to the story. Talking about appearances, Kim Dae Myung made his way into episode 16, and we're glad his presence did not just end with a phone call. Ahn Eun Jin and he displayed a united front as a married couple, much to everyone's delight. Romance was in abundance as Shin Si Ah found a budding love story with an intern— making for one of the strangest plots in the show—Cha Kang Yoon's Tak Gi On, and if there's a sequel, we look forward to this one. Finally, Kang Ye Ji's Kim Sa Bi and Kang You Seok's Um Jae Il head towards their own happily ever after, one we did not expect to like so much. Their adorableness was off the charts! Penny for an afterthought? We're so glad Myeong Eun Won (Kim Hye In) finally got what she deserved! Resident Playbook Full Review Resident Playbook, a long-overdue Korean medical drama focusing on the lives of the residents in a hospital setting, was able to land an April release, albeit after much roundabout. With seemingly unknown faces at its forefront, the show had a lot riding on the acting and the direction. Go Yoon Jung has had her share of famed releases, with Moving and Alchemy of Souls making a strong case for her. On the other hand, Kang You Soek's recent run in When Life Gives You Tangerines is one that cannot be ignored. With an experienced crew but an arguably naive casting set as well as repeated delays due to domestic troubles, Resident Playbook was one step away from disaster. However, the end of the show has allowed for everything to end well, and even raises hope for a follow-up season, maybe with fewer Hospital Playlist cameos.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Netflix K-drama Dear Hongrang faces 'incest' allegations amid poor reviews: Explaining the complicated 'siblings love triangle'
Netflix's new K-drama Dear Hongrang is making headlines, and while some of the attention comes from its stellar cast — Lee Jae Wook, Jo Bo Ah, and Jung Ga Ram — most of the conversation is centred on a controversial incest plot that has left many viewers feeling uncomfortable. (Note: Spoilers ahead!) Dear Hongrang: Plot explained The show dropped on Netflix on May 16 and is written by Kim Jin Ah and directed by Kim Hong Sun. It had already generated buzz thanks to its big-name cast, with Lee Jae Wook from Alchemy of Souls, Jo Bo Ah from Tale of the Nine Tailed, and Jung Ga Ram from Love Alarm. Set in the Joseon dynasty, the story follows Jae Yi (Jo Bo Ah), who's blamed for the disappearance of her half-brother Hongrang — a tragedy that breaks their family. Her stepmother, Min Yeon Ui, is especially devastated and holds Jae Yi responsible for losing her only son, who vanished one night after promising his sister a camellia. To cope with the loss, the family adopts a boy named Mu Jin (Jung Ga Ram). Over the years, several men have shown up claiming to be the missing Hongrang, but each one ends up exposed as a fraud. Then a new man (Lee Jae Wook) arrives, saying he lost his childhood memories. Min Yeon Ui believes he's her son, but Jae Yi isn't so sure — and she's determined to find out who he really is. In the process, Jae Yi starts developing feelings for the man claiming to be her younger brother, while her adopted brother, Mu Jin, quietly struggles with his own love for her. The tangled relationships have left many viewers feeling uneasy, with some calling the plot borderline incestuous and unnecessarily provocative. Fans react to Dear Hongrang's controversial sibling-style love triangle The complicated and controversial love triangle in Dear Hongrang has sparked heated discussion online, especially on Reddit's r/KDRAMAS subreddit. One user pointed out the show's uncomfortable tone, writing, 'So what do we think of this new K-drama? It's leaning towards incest, though they aren't blood related... but they call each other siblings. It feels like a love triangle between siblings. I'm only one episode in, lol.' Another viewer chimed in with mixed feelings: 'I kinda loved it. The story is a little messy — but that's what makes it entertaining! My biggest issue was the pacing. Some moments felt rushed, while others dragged on too long.' A third fan criticized the romance angle, saying, 'Honestly, the relationship in Dear Hongrang felt forced. It's like they cast good-looking leads and thought that was enough. She waited years for her brother, then randomly fell for a guy pretending to be him — and I still don't understand why. Even after the twist, their romance just didn't land. But I'll give them this: beautiful cinematography and a great performance from the female lead. She really carried the show. I just wish I knew what the point of it all was.' Others took issue with the characters still calling each other 'brother' and 'sister,' with one user saying, 'It's so cringe. Just call each other by your names.' Another added, 'Yes, we find out he's not her real brother — but she doesn't know that at first. So it gives off these unsettling vibes. She was already overly attached to her real brother, so when this guy shows up, the energy is just weird. It's a strange creative choice, and I'm not sure it worked.' But is there an actual incest plot in Dear Hongrang? There's no actual incest plot in Dear Hongrang, as no blood relationship exists among the key characters. The man pretending to be Hongrang turns out to be an assassin, and Jae Yi always knew he wasn't really her brother, so their feelings don't cross that line. Mu Jin is adopted, so his crush isn't technically incest either. But since the characters still call each other 'brother' and 'sister,' it makes things feel weird and uncomfortable for many viewers. Conclusion: Is it incest? No. Could the story have been clearer without all the confusing sibling vibes? Absolutely.
