In Dear Hongrang Episode 10, the tragic origin of Hong-rang’s branded tattoo is unveiled in a harrowing flashback where the Grand Prince himself is shown etching and marking the boy’s skin. Back in the present, Yeol-guk subjects Hong-rang to brutal torture, convinced that the boy’s tattoos prove he is not his son. That’s when Hong-rang realizes the Grand Prince—the Evil Painter—is working with Yeol-guk.

The Yu family is brought in and confirms that both Hong-rang and In-hoe were once their slaves. They claim the branded boy tried to escape before a mysterious woman purchased them. Yeon-ui suspects a setup, but Yeol-guk is unfazed—possibly because he knows Hong-rang isn’t his biological son. In a cruel twist, it’s hinted that Yuk-son may be the real father. Yeol-guk places Yeon-ui under house arrest, accusing her of using an impostor to lead the Min Guild. Meanwhile, he keeps Hong-rang captive to bargain with the Grand Prince, who tipped his hand when he demanded the boy be brought in alive and unharmed.

Elsewhere, the palace cook reveals to Jae-yi that Mu-jin is behind the exposure of Hong-rang. The cook confesses her fear, hoping the branded man truly is Hong-rang. Meanwhile, Jae-yi confronts Mu-jin, challenging him over the guilt he inflicted about their kiss. He demands marriage, insisting it’s her only path to survival. But Yeol-guk surprisingly asks if Jae-yi has agreed before rejecting Mu-jin’s threats with disgust.

That night, chaos erupts as the Grand Prince’s guards outwit Yeol-guk and abduct Hong-rang. Jae-yi and the assassins give chase, only to uncover a horrifying truth—the Evil Painter is none other than the Grand Prince. As he examines the boy’s back, Hong-rang and Jae-yi realize they’ve fallen into the web of a monster.

Kkot-nim panics, knowing they can’t oppose royalty. Without Hong-rang, they lose the partition deed. Meanwhile, Mu-jin lashes out at Yeol-guk’s aide, unaware the man is a spy for the prince. The Grand Prince indulges Mu-jin, intrigued by his ambition, and reveals there are six tattooed captives, all part of an unholy ritual. Most are sick, and Mu-jin is tasked with rushing the process.

As Mu-jin exits the palace, he catches Jae-yi spying. He lies to her, claiming Hong-rang is using her for revenge against Yeol-guk, but she refuses to believe him. Her loyalty only angers Mu-jin more. He’s burned every bridge—Yeol-guk is also furious at him for backdoor dealings with the prince.

Meanwhile, Hong-rang escapes his cell and stumbles upon captive children and a ritual chamber covered in talisman symbols matching the tattoos. Strange supplies arrive: copper, baby animals, and virgin hair. The assassins observe, baffled. Shaman Gwigokja explains it’s all part of a spiritual transformation ritual—melting six human talismans to achieve godhood. Hong-rang is one of them.

Hong-rang confronts the prince during his bath but collapses from the sound of a bell—a conditioning used on all tattooed captives. Gwigokja later tells Kkot-nim to forget Hong-rang and focus on revenge against the Min family, whose patriarch slaughtered her clan. But Jae-yi refuses to abandon him. She lies to Yeon-ui, saying Hong-rang is her brother, and hands over the real Hong-rang’s protective sachet as proof.

Yuk-son sneaks Jae-yi into the palace disguised as a worker. She reunites with Hong-rang, gives him a blade, and passes on intel about the partition deed. As the ritual begins, with the Sims present, Hong-rang breaks free and fights off the guards. Despite the Grand Prince’s order to keep him alive, Mu-jin attacks. The assassins arrive just in time, scattering the enemy. Amid the chaos, Hong-rang kills the Snow Man and escapes. In-hoe remains behind to free the other tattooed captives—but is stabbed by Mu-jin.

At Kkot-nim’s hideout, Jae-yi is overcome with guilt over Yeol-guk’s sins and doubts if she deserves Hong-rang’s love. He comforts her silently. Kkot-nim is finally convinced of Jae-yi’s sincerity. When Hong-rang asks about In-hoe, Kkot-nim calls the boy hers. Hong-rang then asks her to come clean—he knows she knows who the real Hong-rang is.

Dear Hongrang Episode 10 ends on a haunting note. The Sims drain a hidden well and discover the skeleton of the real Hong-rang at the bottom. Jae-yi breaks down and apologizes for taking so long to find him.