The Netflix series 'Dear Hongrang' ranked 6th in the global top 10 series (non-English) institutional sector and released behind-the-scenes stills.
The son 'Hongrang' of the largest merchant in Joseon, who had gone missing, returns after 12 years with no memory, and only his half-sister 'Jaei' doubts his existence, a portrayal of the uncertain emotions blossoming between them in the mystery melodrama 'Dear Hongrang,' which has released behind-the-scenes stills capturing the diverse appearances of the actors.
The released behind-the-scenes stills capture not only the cheerful atmosphere of the filming site but also the passionate appearances of the actors, drawing attention. The warm scene of the two 'Hongrangs,' Seo Woo-jin, who plays the young 'Hongrang' who went missing 12 years ago, and Lee Jae-wook, doing a V-sign together brings smiles. Lee Jae-wook's charismatic appearance on horseback and Jo Bo-ah engrossed in monitoring and performing, depicted in stills, stimulate interest in the immersion of the two actors to vividly portray 'Hongrang' and 'Jaei.'
Meanwhile, in a direction session before shooting, Lee Jae-wook and Jung Ga-ram rehearse with director Kim Hong-sun, recalling the tension-inducing confrontation scene between 'Hongrang' and 'Mujin' from the drama. The actors Eom Ji-won, Park Byeong-eun, and Kim Jae-wook, who have fully immersed themselves in their characters before filming, hint at the process of creating the intense characters and the efforts of the actors in expressing it with high quality. Additionally, modern items such as Jo Bo-ah's tumbler and the tablet Eom Ji-won is seen using, along with a hand mirror with a design not seen in the Joseon era, are naturally captured, presenting the unique charm of the behind-the-scenes stills along with smiles.
'Dear Hongrang' recorded 2,200,000 viewers (a value obtained by dividing the viewing time by the total runtime of the work) just three days after its release on May 16, climbing to the top 10 list in 12 countries worldwide and ranking 6th in the global top 10 series (non-English) institutional sector. 'Dear Hongrang' has received praise from domestic and international media and viewers for its complex genres from mystery to melodrama and historical drama, as well as the vivid production that captures the atmosphere of the Joseon era.
Meanwhile, domestic media noted that it has 'pioneered a new genre as a mystery melodrama that harmonizes character relationships with beautiful Korean direction,' and remarked that 'the tension from the character structure and the mysteries surrounding the events continue without a dull moment, boasting a rich visual experience thanks to the important production design and costumes for the historical drama, as well as the added action.' They described it as 'a work reminiscent of a thick ink wash painting,' emphasizing the production's effort to maximize entertainment while offering praise for the composite genre.
Overseas media also praised it by stating, 'The bittersweet ending leaves a profound aftertaste' (TIME), 'The excellent acting and beautiful period cinematography come together in a multi-layered narrative structure that becomes increasingly captivating as it unfolds' (Decider), and 'The beautiful sets, costumes, and grand music catch the eye' (South China Morning Post), highlighting the genre that enhances the characters' narratives and the outstanding performances of the actors.
Domestic and international viewers have also expressed enthusiastic reactions to 'Dear Hongrang,' stating, 'Absolutely astonished by the absolute Korean beauty, especially the hanbok is the best!' (YouTube Super *****), 'The visual beauty, the actors' performances are all excellent, and the tightly woven story was so immersive and tense that I watched it all at once' (YouTube Audrey ****), and 'A work worth binge-watching from start to finish. The colors are vivid, and the OST perfectly intertwined with the storyline' (IMDb Div ******).
[Photo] Netflix
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