If you're curious about the plot and development of Dear Hongrang, the Netflix series starring Lee Jae-wook and Jo Bo-ah, you can explore those questions through the original novel, Tangeum: Swallowing Gold, written by author Jang Da-hye.
Interestingly, the novel—set during Korea’s Joseon Dynasty—was inspired by a real-life disappearance case in 1980s France.
‘Tangeum (呑金)’ means ‘to swallow gold,’ and refers to a punishment in which a person is forced to swallow gold and dies as a result.
Series Overview: Dear Hongrang
Platform: Netflix
Title: Dear Hongrang (Original Korean Title: Tangeum)
Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Melodrama
Premiere Date: May 16, 2025 at 4:00 PM (KST)
Episodes: 12
Starring: Lee Jae-wook, Jo Bo-ah, Jung Ga-ram, Uhm Ji-won
Director: Kim Hong-sun
Screenwriter: Kim Jin-a
Based on the novel: Tangeum: Swallowing Gold by Jang Da-hye
The Original Novel: Tangeum: Swallowing Gold
1. Plot Summary
In the Joseon era, Shim Yeol-guk, a wealthy merchant known as the “Money King” for his dealings in high-value artworks, faces a tragedy when his only son, Hongrang (age 8), goes missing one day. Shim and his wife, Lady Min, pour their wealth and manpower into the search, even offering rewards for any information—including on dead bodies—but no trace is found.
As punishment for allegedly stealing Hongrang’s protective talisman, his half-sister Jae-yi (age 9), born of a surrogate mother, is locked away in a separate annex. To preserve the family line, Mu-jin (age 11), a noble-born boy, is adopted into the family in Hongrang’s place. Overnight, Jae-yi and Mu-jin become siblings and grow up relying solely on each other in the harsh world of the merchant guild.
Over the years, countless imposters claiming to be Hongrang come to Shim’s house, but all turn out to be fakes—hope and despair repeating again and again.
Then, one day, ten years later, a slave hunter named Dok-gae returns with the real Hongrang—now grown, ruthless, and devoid of childhood memories, shaped by a brutal crime syndicate. Shim Yeol-guk throws a grand banquet to celebrate his son's return, but Jae-yi and Mu-jin are skeptical of the stranger. Convinced he is a con artist, they openly scorn him to his face.
As time passes, however, Jae-yi begins to waver, confused by Hongrang’s behavior, and slowly starts to accept him as her real brother. At the same time, she finds herself developing feelings for him that a sister should never have. Mu-jin, too, is overwhelmed with complex emotions. As an adopted son, he loses his place in the family, and worse, Jae-yi’s affection. Driven by jealousy and despair, he becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind Hongrang.
Who is the real Hongrang?
2. Main Characters
• Jae-yi (19, Female): Jo Bo-ah
The only daughter of the Min merchant guild, born of a surrogate mother. Having lived her life in confinement, her pale face carries a chilling coldness. Haunted by guilt over Hongrang’s disappearance, she yearns to escape the hellish household and find him herself. Though she rejects the returning Hongrang with contempt, she gradually finds herself drawn to him.
• Hongrang (18, Male): Lee Jae-wook
The only son of the Min merchant guild, who returns after ten years with no memory of his childhood. He is both bold and strong, yet retains a mischievous, boyish charm. Beneath that exterior lies a cold-hearted man full of despair, hatred, and self-loathing. Meeting Jae-yi disrupts the plans he had spent his life carefully crafting.
• Mu-jin (21, Male): Jung Ga-ram
A young man who was sold into the Min merchant guild and adopted as their son. Though treated poorly and kept at the fringes, he secretly dreams of becoming the head of the Min merchant guild. Having always been kind and protective toward Jae-yi, he is devastated by Hongrang’s return, which threatens both his status and Jae-yi’s affection.
• Shim Yeol-guk (Early 40s, Male): Park Byung-eun
The son-in-law who took over the Min merchant guild. A shrewd businessman who forms alliances when beneficial and cuts ties without hesitation when they no longer serve him. He will stop at nothing to support Prince Hanpyeong, the true power behind the Min merchant guild.
• Lady Min (Early 40s, Female): Uhm Ji-won
The real power of the Min merchant guild and the only daughter of the great merchant Min Ban-hyo. Arrogant and headstrong, she fell into nervous breakdowns and turned to opium and shamanism after her son’s disappearance.
• Prince Hanpyeong (50s, Male): Kim Jae-wook
The king’s only brother, who chooses loyalty over ambition to avoid threatening the throne. A refined man who cherishes the arts and quietly supports the Min merchant guild.
• Nanny Eulbun (50s, Female)
A talkative, warm-hearted, and tearful nanny. Though one of her arms became paralyzed from a stroke long ago, she lovingly cared for Jae-yi as if she were her own daughter, and embraces the returning Hongrang without hesitation.
3. Book Trailer for Tangeum: Swallowing Gold (Highly Recommended)
Here is a book trailer for Tangeum: Swallowing Gold, featuring narration, voice acting, and optional English subtitles. The video runs for approximately six minutes.
The Story Behind the Story
Tangeum: Swallowing Gold is the debut full-length novel by author Jang Da-hye, who is currently based in France.
She was inspired by a real-life disappearance case that took place in France during the 1980s.
The real-life case, in which a missing child returned years later only to be revealed as an imposter, was adapted into the 1992 film Olivier, Olivier. It also left a strong impression on the author, inspiring her to write this novel.
Drawing from this story, she reimagined it in a historical Korean setting to create Tangeum: Swallowing Gold.
More than just a historical drama, the novel explores themes of disappearance, return, identity, and forbidden emotions. With its intense plot and delicate prose, it leaves a deep impression on readers.
So in the end, who is it that is made to swallow the gold?
🌐 This post is also available in Korean: 한국어 보기
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