“Incest” Popular K-Drama Sparks Backlash With Controversial Storyline

Popular K-Drama Dear Hongrang has sparked controversy with controversial storyline.

The show follows Hong Rang (Lee Jae Wook), born into a wealthy family but after disappearing, he returns with no memory of his childhood. It follows his journey and the emotional path with his half-sister, Jae Yi (Cho Bo Ah), and others who were in his life.

While netizens seemed excited about the show, the progress of the K-Drama has sparked concerns regarding feelings of “incest” being pushed. When Hong Rang comes back, it is later revealed that he and Jae Yi are not related, but while he knows and is pursuing something romantic with his actions, she still believes they are siblings.

Netizens found this weird and uncomfortable when watching, especially in the scenes where Hong Rang is seemingly initiating intimate touch with his romantic feelings while Jae Yi is under the impression that they are related.

This scene really make me uncomfortable he making her believe he's her brother but he's having romantic feelings for her i know he did it for saving her but still i feel uncomfortable #DearHongrangEp5#DearHongrang pic.twitter.com/HYxjp5W5Bx

— 🦚 Lakhi💫🦋 ✨🫶 (@Lakhi7777) May 22, 2025

im speechless are we allowing incest here or qhat? he knows he's not her brother but she doesn't know that so WHAT ARE WE DOING???? I keep covering my mouth because of the tension………..#DearHongrangEp5 pic.twitter.com/0URPq9IziG

— ria🐈‍⬛ (@haruyugeon) May 17, 2025

take a lot of pause while watching dear hongrang cuz it feels so wrong… the drama started with introducing the 3 as siblings but later, they have a love triangle pic.twitter.com/vHsZtNdUsq

— fang (@fangkumme) May 18, 2025

excuse me but I'm confused how to see their rship. Want to see them as couple but it feels so wrong tho they're not even bloodrelated. Want to see them as sibling, but what kind of younger brother doing this to his sister!!😭✋🏻

focus on ur mission hey hongrang!!#DearHongrangEp5 pic.twitter.com/DiQ1IbBjvT

— fang (@fangkumme) May 18, 2025

Even on Reddit, netizens found it odd how the narrative was represented, especially pushing a romantic trope when the female character still didn’t have any idea that Hong Rang wasn’t related to her and that he had romantic feelings.

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The show has sparked a lot of attention.