Netflix is about to drop a richly layered mystery-melo sageuk starring Lee Jae-wook and Jo Bo-ah. But don't expect just a romantic period piece—Tangeum dives deeper. Suspicion, emotional friction, and unspoken longing are at the heart of this beautifully intense story.
🎭 Push, pull, and secrets—an emotionally charged reunion
Tangeum, a Netflix original, introduces the tale of a long-lost son of Joseon's wealthiest merchant family. Disappearing as a child, he returns 12 years later, only to be met with distrust from his half-sister. The drama explores how the two become dangerously drawn to one another despite the doubts.
The title Tangeum refers to an ancient Chinese execution method—forcing someone to swallow gold until death. Director Kim Hong-sun explained, "It represents longing that turns into resentment, then into vengeance."
The cast gathered on May 13 at the press conference in Seoul. Lee Jae-wook, Jo Bo-ah, Uhm Ji-won, Park Byung-eun, and Jung Ga-ram joined the director to discuss this ambitious series.
⚔️ Lee Jae-wook returns in another fierce hanbok role
Lee plays Hong-rang, the enigmatic heir caught in a web of doubt and danger. "The early episodes center around whether Hong-rang is really who he says he is," Lee said. "Later, secrets unravel—especially his connection to other missing children."
Following his previous period role in Alchemy of Souls, Lee takes on more intense action sequences this time around. "The choreography was stylish but incredibly challenging," he revealed.
👩🦰 Jo Bo-ah's duality: sisterly love or something more?
Jo Bo-ah transforms into Jae-yi, a woman scarred by her brother's disappearance. Blamed by her own family, she's lived in grief for years—only to feel something new upon his return. "She loved him like family, but now she's drawn to him in ways she doesn't understand," Jo explained.
She added, "I tried hard to keep the familial and romantic emotions clearly separate." Jo also dons male hanbok as part of her undercover pursuit of Hong-rang's truth. "It was honestly so comfortable!" she laughed.
💫 Aesthetic detail meets emotional nuance
Director Kim emphasized the importance of visual authenticity. "Since the series will be seen globally, we aimed to reflect the beauty of Korea without exaggeration," he said. Costume design played a big role—Uhm Ji-won's character is decked out in luxurious hanbok, while Jo Bo-ah's wardrobe remains subdued to reflect Jae-yi's hardship.
🗓️ Full series drops May 16, only on Netflix
Jo Bo-ah offered a viewing tip: "The story follows Jae-yi's perspective. Watch how each character's narrative unfolds through her eyes." Lee Jae-wook added, "Tangeum is visually stunning and emotionally rich. I hope it resonates with viewers around the world."
All 12 episodes of Tangeum will be available globally on May 16 at 4 PM (KST).
[Photo Credit: Netflix]
