As a Korean drama connoisseur, I was eager to binge watch the new Netflix series, Queen of Tears. Coined as the biggest K-drama of 2024, the much anticipated series was an instant hit—the series’ first episode aired on March 9th and ended recently on April 28th.
Directed by Jang Young-woo and Kim Hee-won, Queen of Tears embodies a fresh storyline with a mix of romance, suspense, and heartwarming moments. Nowadays, the love we see in our lives is simple and predictable; Queen of Tears, however, throws the viewer into a whirlwind of complex relationships that come with marrying the daughter of a chaebol—the Korean term for a rich business family. As a whole, Queen of Tears pleased audiences with an engaging yet enigmatic plot, forwarded by a cast with clear chemistry, and cinematography and scenes worth rewatching. News of it already becoming the most watched K-drama of 2024 comes as no surprise.
The drama follows the turbulent relationship between Baek Hyun-woo (played by Kim Soo-Hyun) and Hong Hae-in (played by Kim Ji-won). At first, Hyun-woo, an office worker, falls for Hae-in, a clumsy intern. He supports her throughout her work and eventually, their relationship buds into a romantic one. Only when Hyun-woo discovers Hae-in’s true identity does he realize the new world he is about to enter; Hae-in, in fact, is the heiress to the very company that the two work for.
The drama begins with a flashback to the good times of marriage between the two, but soon moves to the present, where Hyun-woo is considering a divorce. The idyllic romance that once existed between the couple has morphed into a hatred and unbearable annoyance for each other. Queen of Tears does an excellent job in portraying Hyun-woo’s turmoil and in seeking sympathy from the audience. The striking scene of him weeping and drinking in the dark streets of Seoul, alone, is an example. Hae-in, meanwhile, is painted as a workaholic who only cares about one thing: reaching her goal of one trillion won in sales at the department store managed by her family’s company. This only heightens Hyun-woo’s frustration, and eventually, he decides to go on with the divorce. Just as Hyun-woo is about to show Hae-in the divorce papers, though, she reveals that she has been diagnosed with a rare brain tumor. With her limited time left to live, Hyun-woo decides to endure the marriage. However, as Hyun-woo remains by Hae-in’s side, romantic feelings begin to rekindle.
The film as a whole builds each character effortlessly. At times, you even want more scenes with the two lead characters. Both are played by actors who completely complement each other; Soo-Hyun’s charismatic yet quiet approach makes him fit as Hyun-woo, a lawyer, while Ji-won’s charm and ability to switch from being confident to being vulnerable matches the double sided life Hae-in lives—one as business manager and the other as a patient. Soo-Hyun and Ji-won’s acting together make the film a treat to watch. Most striking, however, is the antagonist of the film, Yoon Eun-Seong (played by Park Sung-hoon), a corrupt investor hoping to take over Hae-in’s family’s business. Sung-hoon’s acting throughout is superb; his stoicism and mysteriousness makes his character even more hated by viewers. The plot of Eun-Seong’s obsession to be with Hae-in offers an appreciated conflict that balances with the couple’s ongoing divorce. Additionally, his shady relationship to Hae-in’s family and his eerie childhood makes his character all the more interesting.
Queen of Tears is also showered in beautiful cinematography. Notably, the scenes filmed in Berlin, in front of the Sanssouci Palace, were stand-outs—colors are vibrant and supported the emotion of the moment. The OST was also excellent. From the very first episode, I found myself scrolling through Spotify to find the opening song. Each song in the drama imbued a sense of nostalgia and a mix of romance that made you feel relaxed.
The only downside of the drama is its pace. At times, conversations between Hyun-woo’s family in the rural outskirts of Seoul are too repetitive. This tends to make the episodes longer for no reason and seemingly claustrophobic.
Nevertheless, Queen of Tears is still a series worth watching. The stellar acting and sudden plot twists will hook you on. It’s a K-drama that will leave you tearfully satisfied.
