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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

Credit: Netflix

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.”

Dear Hongrang k-drama
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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.

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