The premiere episode of "Dear Hongrang" kicks off with the harrowing sight of a youthful Hong-rang, darting through the dense, shadowy woods, a look of sheer terror etched on his face. As if the forest itself were conspiring against him, he bumps into a colossal figure adorned with flowing, snow-white tresses. Desperation grips him as he frantically shouts for his sister's name.
Hong-rang hails from the esteemed Sim family, the very dynasty that reigns over the prestigious Min Guild within the artistic realm. Their influence spans far and wide, mobilizing the entire town in a desperate search for the missing lad. His mother, Min Yeon-ui, resorts to the arcane practices of shamans, while his older half-sister, Sim Jae-yi, braves the unforgiving wilderness alone. Her unwavering quest leads her to injury and heart-wrenching sobs echoing through the trees, a stark contrast to a cherished memory—Jae-yi perched on a rooftop, her hands cupped like binoculars, her eyes lighting up with joy upon spotting Hong-rang below.
Twelve years pass, yet the Sims' relentless pursuit remains unchanged. Malicious rumors surface, painting Jae-yi as a demonic sister with a penchant for consuming boys in her quest to find her brother. Meanwhile, Yeon-ui succumbs to addiction's grasp, her once-strong spirit dwindling. Her husband, Sim Yeol-guk, descends into brutality, tormenting fraudsters who dare pose as Hong-rang. Jae-yi, disguised as a man, toils in menial jobs, her savings meticulously funneled into her solitary mission.
One fateful day, the Grand Prince, a capricious figure of authority, metes out justice by slaying some of Yeol-guk's hired men. Yeol-guk trembles before the Prince's whim, who, in a fit of pique, demands canvases as recompense for painting a tiger for his ailing uncle. That very night, Cho Bang-suk, a ruthless thug, sets his sights on a thief and chance upon Jae-yi in disguise. A thrilling chase ensues, but her older, adoptive brother Mu-jin, a man of exceptional prowess and Yeol-guk's designated heir to the Sim fortune—much to Yeon-ui's dismay—intervenes at the nick of time.
Yeon-ui's loyal assistant, Yuk-son, grapples with her boss's declining state, her dual struggle of searching for Hong-rang amidst Yeon-ui's escalating addiction proving overwhelming. Madam Gwigokja, their shaman, employs a blend of sternness and compassion, reminding Yeon-ui of her need for strength, for a momentous guest awaits their arrival on the horizon.
Having cleaned up her act with determination, Yeon-ui cunningly undermines Mu-jin and Yeol-guk's alliance with another guild by reclaiming her rightful position as the leader of the Min Guild. Jae-yi, trembling in fear, is haunted by flashbacks of Yeon-ui as an abusive stepmother. Jae-yi, born to a discarded Sim concubine who failed to bear a male heir, seems perpetually shrouded in misfortune. Yeon-ui, convinced of Jae-yi's evil nature, views her with disdain.
In the present, to shield Jae-yi from Yeon-ui's vengeance, Mu-jin reluctantly allows the matriarch to use him as a mere pawn to gain entry into the palanquin. This act fuels Yeol-guk's rage, as he had harbored hopes of leading the Min Guild alongside Mu-jin, while Yeon-ui embarrassed herself through her addictive demise. However, Mu-jin harbors a secret plan: to win Yeon-ui over and seize control once she inevitably succumbs to her addiction once again.
Later, Mu-jin finds himself worried about Jae-yi and they engage in a heartfelt discussion about her relentless search for Hong-rang. Jae-yi expresses her desire to flee, but Mu-jin, longing to accompany her, is halted by her concern for his reputation. They are not bound by blood, and she knows that their association could tarnish his name.
One fateful day, Dok-gae, the relentless bounty hunter, declared with conviction that he had tracked down Hong-rang. This enigmatic individual, devoid of any recollections from his youth, had been nurtured in the depths of a brothel before transitioning into a soldier's life and ultimately becoming an assassin. Skepticism lingered in Yeol-guk's eyes, yet Yeon-ui clung to the belief that the shaman's prophecies pertained to this very man.
Haunted by a nocturnal terror, Jae-yi envisioned Hong-rang fleeing through dense woods. Awoken abruptly by the tidings of his supposed return, she found herself amidst whispers among the servants, speculating on the impending peril to Mu-jin's standing, oblivious to his singular concern for Jae-yi.
Through a battery of rigorous tests, the man aced each challenge with remarkable precision. His scars aligned impeccably with the descriptions, and even his blood shared an indentical match with Yeol-guk's. Nevertheless, the instant Jae-yi laid eyes on him, an unshakeable certainty told her he was not her brother. She recalled previous charlatans who had likewise passed with flying colors and bombarded him with probing inquiries. His only coherent memory was of a sister, a fragment too slim to bridge the gap of doubt.
To everyone's astonishment, he confessed a complete absence of familiarity, having embarked on this journey solely to reclaim his lost memories. His willingness to depart if proven false only deepened Yeon-ui's conviction in his identity. She lashed out at Jae-yi, accusing her of jealousy and fabricating falsehoods. Left alone, Jae-yi reminisced about the bond she once shared with her brother, a connection that remained dormant within her. She steadfastly maintained that she knew the adult visage of Hong-rang, and it bore no resemblance to the man before her.
That very night, amidst the silent rooftops, Jae-yi engaged in a solitary game of hide-and-seek, only to stumble upon the man by chance. Incensed, she stood her ground as he playfully pretended to aim an arrow at her. Her fury blazing, his amusement only fueled her distress.
Over breakfast, he introduces In-hoe, his unwavering yet deaf assistant, whose presence fills the room with a peculiar calm. Yeon-ui, overjoyed at having her son back, complies with every one of his requests with a grateful bend. The atmosphere grows taut upon Mu-jin's arrival, yet she can't suppress a hint of smugness when Yeol-guk reveals that Hong-rang will apprenticeship under him, groomed to lead the guild. Jae-yi, sensing Mu-jin's distress, vows to shield both her brothers with unwavering resolve. Secluded, the man is serenaded by the tinkling of a wind chime, triggering a nostalgic flashback.
He bumps into Goldie, Little Hong-rang's beloved pet, prompting Jae-yi to interrogate him anew. Far from discouraged, he mocks her retreat upon Yeon-ui's appearance. To further rattle Jae-yi, he indulges Yeon-ui's charade, feigning recognition of Goldie with a mischievous grin. His wanderings eventually lead him to an abandoned courtyard, seemingly linked to Little Hong-rang's past. Jae-yi reappears, this time startled to spy a birthmark identical to Little Hong-rang's adorning his neck. He dismisses it as a mere scar, toying with her emotions. Mu-jin intervenes, his voice tinged with threat, but the man retaliates with嘲讽, pointing out that he now possesses all that once belonged to Mu-jin.
As twilight descends, a servant tucks in a young noble, their duty fulfilled, before stepping into the night. The conclusion of Dear Hongrang Episode 1 unfolds with a chilling revelation: a figure with flowing white hair closes in, evoking a terrified scream from the servant.
