In Dear Hongrang Episode 9, loyalties are fractured, secrets unravel, and Hong-rang’s darkest truth is finally exposed. The episode begins with Yeol-guk suspecting Hong-rang of kidnapping Jae-yi, while Mu-jin offers damning proof of Hong-rang’s identity—on the condition that he’s reinstated as guildmaster and allowed to marry Jae-yi. Yeol-guk accepts and sends him to apprehend Hong-rang. Meanwhile, Yeon-ui believes Yeol-guk has framed her son and retaliates by sending her own men to rescue Hong-rang and assassinate both Mu-jin and Jae-yi.

As chaos brews, Kkot-nim adds another layer of intrigue. She instructs Gyu-ha to exploit the distraction to identify Yeol-guk’s secret patron and also orders the Deputy Leader to eliminate Jae-yi. In-hoe’s anxious reaction hints that the plan may spiral out of control.

Heartfelt Escapes and Deadly Pursuits in Dear Hongrang Episode 9

Elsewhere, Hong-rang and Jae-yi camp under the stars. When Hong-rang questions whether she regrets eloping, Jae-yi reassures him—saying she’s found love and meaning with him. But their brief peace is disrupted as three separate search parties close in. Thanks to internal conflict among the pursuers, the couple escapes yet again.

Mu-jin reads Jae-yi’s farewell letter, which expresses her gratitude for his love but affirms her commitment to a new future with Hong-rang. Deeply moved, Mu-jin secretly instructs his aide to mislead the other factions so he can reach her first. However, Jae-yi is spotted in town while gathering supplies. She escapes but is poisoned, prompting Hong-rang to hide her in a cave and care for her until she recovers. He then diverts the assassins by confronting them and promising to return to complete their mission once Jae-yi is safe.

Upon returning, Hong-rang panics when Jae-yi is missing—only to find she had gone out searching for him. Their emotional reunion leads to them sleeping together, though he carefully keeps his back tattoo hidden.

Back in the palace, Yeol-guk grows impatient and demands military support from the Grand Prince. Initially reluctant, the prince becomes wary when Yeol-guk reminds him that Hong-rang bears a tattoo of the prince’s sacred yin-yang emblem—an intimate mark that could be politically damning.

Meanwhile, the couple stumbles upon a remote mountain house where they briefly enjoy a slice of domestic happiness. Hong-rang indulges Jae-yi’s playfulness, comforts her tears, and even buys her a hairpin. But the bliss is short-lived. His recurring cough and an inflamed neck scar hint at deeper health issues, possibly from his past torture.

Tragedy returns when Mu-jin’s aide finds the travellers who helped the couple. Under duress, the travellers drug Jae-yi. Hong-rang rushes to stop the kidnapping but is overwhelmed fighting off Mu-jin’s forces. Things escalate into a brutal battle as Yeon-ui’s guards arrive, bent on killing Jae-yi.

The chaos halts only when the Grand Prince’s royal guards intervene, seizing both Hong-rang and Jae-yi. At the palace, Yeol-guk demands a confession. But Hong-rang only offers a knowing smirk—until Yeol-guk rips off his shirt, exposing the yin-yang tattoo etched into his back. The sight horrifies Yeon-ui and devastates Jae-yi. Hong-rang quickly tries to cover himself, ashamed of his past. To him, the tattoo isn’t just a mark—it’s a symbol of the torture and manipulation that made him believe he’s no longer human.