Episode 10 of "Dear Hongrang" kicks off with a haunting flashback, depicting the Grand Prince meticulously tattooing and branding the imposter Hong-rang's flesh. In the present, Hong-rang finds himself in Yeol-guk's clutches, enduring relentless torture. As the agonizing truths unfold, Hong-rang realizes that his son couldn't possibly bear such tattoos, leading him to conclude that Yeol-guk is colluding with the nefarious Evil Painter.
The Yus are summoned, and they recount Hong-rang and In-hoe's status as their former slaves. They narrate how Hong-rang was apprehended while attempting to flee, only to be later purchased by a mysterious woman alongside In-hoe. Yeon-ui remains unconvinced by their narrative, her suspicions deepening. Meanwhile, Yeol-guk remains indifferent, particularly since whispers suggest that Yuk-son, rather than him, is the true father of Hong-rang. Under the pretext of allowing an impostor to govern the Min Guild, Yeon-ui is confined to her quarters under house arrest.
However, Yeol-guk harbors alternative designs, leveraging Hong-rang's captivity to extort concessions from the Grand Prince. A revealing twist emerges: the Grand Prince's true intentions are laid bare when he insisted that Hong-rang be captured alive and unharmed. The cook, relaying crucial information to Jae-yi, discloses that Mu-jin was the one who outed Hong-rang. Yet, she trembles with fear, clinging to the hope that the tattooed individual might indeed be the genuine Hong-rang. Jae-yi, preoccupied with her own qualms, confronts Mu-jin over his actions, which have left her grappling with guilt over their shared kiss. In a bold assertion, Mu-jin demands her hand in marriage, insisting that it's the sole path to ensuring her survival.
He dashes to Yeol-guk's side, urgency etched across his face, and insists on a wedding. To everyone's astonishment, Yeol-guk exhibits genuine concern by inquiring if Jae-yi has given her consent. Mu-jin attempts to cow him with threats, but Yeol-guk swiftly dismisses him with a stern rebuke. That very night, the Grand Prince's henchmen lay a trap for Yeol-guk, successfully abducting Hong-rang under the cover of darkness. The assassins and Jae-yi trail them to the Grand Prince, who marvels at Hong-rang's back tattoo, revealing to all present that he is indeed the infamous Evil Painter. Kkot-nim is at a wits' end, lacking the means to confront a prince and with Hong-rang's capture, their hopes of obtaining the partition deed diminish.
Elsewhere, Mu-jin, seething with rage, confronts Yeol-guk's aide, unaware that the latter is a spy in the prince's service. Dragged before the Grand Prince, Mu-jin vows to outperform his father's deeds. Amused by Mu-jin's arrogance, the prince indulges him, weary of Yeol-guk's relentless threats. It transpires that six tattooed captives, Hong-rang among them, are held in custody. Most lie ailing, and the prince commands Mu-jin to expedite a mysterious ritual involving them.
As Mu-jin departs, his fury ignites upon spotting Jae-yi in the shadows. He lies through his teeth, claiming that Hong-rang is merely using her to exact vengeance on Yeol-guk, whom he portrays as the Painter's lackey. Perplexed by her steadfast loyalty to Yeol-guk over him, Mu-jin's words drip with disdain and possessiveness, irritating her. He fails to comprehend her choice of a perceived swindler over him.
Mu-jin's actions alienate even Yeol-guk, who fury boils over at Mu-jin's clandestine maneuvering behind his back. Thus, Mu-jin finds himself increasingly isolated, surrounded by enemies on all sides.
Back at the grand palace, Hong-rang manages to wriggle free from his confines and stumbles upon a group of imprisoned children. His gaze then shifts to a mystical ritual hall adorned with six talisman paintings, eerily reminiscent of the tattoos adorning his own flesh. Outside, workers hustle in with a motley assortment of items—copper, innocent baby animals, and virgin hair—that puzzle the watching assassins.
Shaman Gwigokja, a steadfast ally of Kkot-nim, unveils the grim truth: these elements form part of an arcane ritual aimed at spiritual ascension, where mere mortals seek divine status. Central to this grim procedure is the meltdown of six human talismans into liquid bronze—Hong-rang, much to his horror, included among them.
Elsewhere, Hong-rang locates the prince immersed in a bath and lunges for him, only to crumple to the ground at the resonant clang of a bell. It transpires that the tattooed children have undergone specialized training, rendering them vulnerable to the piercing sound of bells.
The scene shifts to Gwigokja, who pronounces Hong-rang a lost soul, suggesting he be offered as a sacrifice to further their vendetta against the Mins. Her alliance with Kkot-nim stems from a deep-seated grudge; Yeon-ui's father was the one who extinguished Gwigokja's family. Just as tensions flair, Jae-yi arrives with a meticulously crafted plan, casting a glimmer of hope amidst the gathering storm.
She then urges Yeon-ui to collaborate with her in rescuing Hong-rang. To garner Yeon-ui's trust, Jae-yi weaves a lie, asserting that Hong-rang is her kin. As tangible proof, she presents the genuine protective talisman belonging to Hong-rang. Yuk-son masterfully smuggles Jae-yi into the palace by camouflaging her as a common laborer. Within the palace walls, Jae-yi locates Hong-rang and hands him a blade, also conveying Yeon-ui's intel on obtaining the deed.
As the ritual commences, the Sims assemble, and Hong-rang manages to break free, battling off the guards with relentless determination. The Grand Prince cautions all present not to harm Hong-rang, yet Mu-jin defies this order, assaulting Hong-rang without hesitation. Precisely when expected, the assassins arrive, repelling the Grand Prince's men in a chaotic skirmish. Amidst the fray, the Grand Prince flees, while Hong-rang vanquishes the Snow Man. Upon Hong-rang's departure, In-hoe sets about freeing the human talismans, only to be treacherously stabbed by Mu-jin.
At Kkot-nim's hideout, Jae-yi anxiously awaits Hong-rang. She feels ashamed of Yeol-guk and puzzles over Hong-rang's affection for her. Hong-rang, sensing her turmoil, simply embraces her to comfort her. Kkot-nim acknowledges Jae-yi's sincerity and instructs Hong-rang to depart once he secures the partition deed for her. Hong-rang inquiries about In-hoe's well-being, to which Kkot-nim claims him as her own. As a parting favor, he implores her to reveal the truth about the authentic Hong-rang, aware of her knowledge.
The climactic scene of Dear Hongrang Episode 10 unveils the Sims draining one of their wells, only to uncover the skeletal remains of the true Hong-rang at its depths. Jae-yi weeps, apologizing to Hong-rang for the lengthy delay in discovering his fate.
