Dear Hongrang Episode 1 — A Missing Brother Returns, But Is He Real?

Dear Hongrang episode 1 opens with a young Hong-rang frantically running through a dark forest, pursued by something unseen. He stumbles upon a towering figure with long white hair and calls out for his sister. We soon learn that Hong-rang is from the powerful Sim family, who head the influential Min Guild in the world of art. His mother, Min Yeon-ui, calls upon shamans to find him, while his older half-sister, Sim Jae-yi, desperately searches the woods herself, injuring her foot in the process. A flashback reveals a fond childhood game they played where Jae-yi would search for Hong-rang from the rooftop using cupped hands, always finding him with joy.

Years Later: Jae-yi’s Search and a Fractured Household

Twelve years pass. The Sim family continues to search for Hong-rang, but rumors swirl that Jae-yi is cursed and consumes boys in her obsessive quest. Yeon-ui is now addicted to substances, while her husband Sim Yeol-guk captures and tortures frauds claiming to be his missing son. Jae-yi disguises herself as a man and works odd jobs to fund her ongoing search.

Elsewhere, the Grand Prince murders some of Yeol-guk’s men during a mission. Yeol-guk submits, and in return, is ordered to offer canvases for free so the Prince can paint a tiger for his uncle. That night, Jae-yi—still disguised—gets into trouble during a chase with the thug Cho Bang-suk, but her adoptive brother Mu-jin intervenes and saves her. Though adopted by Yeol-guk as the heir to the Min Guild, Mu-jin faces resentment from Yeon-ui.

Power Plays and the Return of “Hong-rang”

Madam Gwigokja, Yeon-ui’s tough-love shaman, warns of an imminent guest. Yeon-ui sobers up and reclaims her position as Min Guild leader, sabotaging a deal between Mu-jin and Yeol-guk. Flashbacks reveal her cruel treatment of Jae-yi, a child born of a concubine Yeol-guk discarded. Despite Yeon-ui’s hate, Mu-jin tries to protect Jae-yi—even physically lowering himself so Yeon-ui can step into a palanquin without embarrassing Jae-yi.

Yeol-guk is furious at the disruption of his plans but remains determined to lead the guild with Mu-jin. Secretly, Mu-jin plans to support Yeon-ui until she relapses, hoping to seize full control. He discusses escaping with Jae-yi, but she stops him, worried about his reputation since they’re not biologically related.

Soon, bounty hunter Dok-gae claims to have found Hong-rang. The man in question is an amnesiac raised in a brothel who later served in the military and now works as an assassin. Though suspicious, Yeon-ui believes this is the prophesied return.

Doubts, Tests, and a Chilling Realization

Jae-yi wakes from a nightmare of Hong-rang running in the woods and is told he has returned. Servants gossip about Mu-jin’s threatened position, but he’s only concerned for Jae-yi. The man passes every test—scars, blood match, everything checks out. Still, Jae-yi senses something’s wrong. She grills him with questions, but he only vaguely remembers a sister.

Surprisingly, he admits he doesn’t recognize anything and is willing to leave if he’s not Hong-rang. Yeon-ui, however, clings to her belief and accuses Jae-yi of jealousy and deceit. Alone, Jae-yi reflects on the strong bond she once had with her brother—something she doesn’t feel now. She insists that the man doesn’t resemble the real Hong-rang.

That night, she replays their old rooftop game alone and coincidentally spots the man watching her. He mimics shooting an arrow at her playfully. Furious, she storms off, while he finds it amusing.

Tensions Rise as the Stranger Settles In

At breakfast, the man introduces his loyal, deaf aide In-hoe. Yeon-ui pampers him, eager to believe he’s truly her son. Mu-jin’s arrival causes discomfort, and Yeon-ui boasts as Yeol-guk declares that Hong-rang will train under Mu-jin to inherit the Min Guild. Jae-yi, feeling conflicted, vows to protect both her brothers.

Later, the man hears a wind chime and seems to recall a memory. He meets Goldie, Hong-rang’s old dog, and Jae-yi confronts him again. He mockingly plays along with Yeon-ui, pretending to remember the dog.

He wanders into what seems like Hong-rang’s abandoned courtyard. Jae-yi arrives and is shaken when she spots a familiar birthmark on his neck. He brushes it off as a scar, toying with her. Mu-jin steps in and warns the man, who boldly retorts that he now has everything Mu-jin once did.

That night, a servant tucks in a noble child. As they leave, the white-haired figure reappears in the shadows, and the servant screams—bringing Dear Hongrang episode 1 to a chilling close.