Queen of Tears

“Queen of Tears” (Korean: 눈물의 여왕) is a 2024 South Korean drama. Directed by Jang Young‑woo and Kim Hee‑won, and writen by Park Ji‑eun, known for hits like “Crash Landing on You”.

Plot Synopsis

The drama follows the marriage of Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun), a former villager turned legal director at Queens Group, and Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji-won), the third-generation heiress and CEO of Queens Department Store. With a loving marriage that suddenly faces turmoil, the couple must navigate crises, inner conflicts, and secrets to rekindle their love.

Cast & Characters

Main Cast

• Kim Soo‑hyun as Baek Hyun‑woo – a Seoul National University–educated lawyer.
• Kim Ji‑won as Hong Hae‑in – charismatic chaebol heiress and CEO.
• Park Sung‑hoon as Yoon Eun‑sung, aka David Yoon – M&A expert returned from Wall Street.
• Kwak Dong‑yeon as Hong Soo‑cheol – Hae-in’s younger brother and CEO of Queens shopping centre.
• Lee Joo‑bin as Cheon Da‑hye – Soo-cheol’s stylish wife.

Supporting Cast

• Supporting ensemble includes members of Hae-in’s powerful family and the rural community of Yongdu‑ri, where Hyun‑woo grew up.

Reception

Global Popularity

Debuted at #1 in Netflix Japan within just three days, and topped the show globally with 93.8 million hours viewed in its first weeks.

Ratings

Averaged 20.7% viewership by episode 12, surpassing “Goblin's” record of 20.5%, making it tvN’s second‑highest rated drama after “Crash Landing on You” (21.6%).

Critical Praise

Forbes noted that, “many K‑dramas end with ‘happily ever after’, but “Queen of Tears” starts that way,” highlighting its strong screenplay, cast, and direction.

TIME Magazine lauded it for subverting typical K‑drama tropes by blending the familiar with fresh narrative twists.

Viewers in Japan praised Kim Ji-won’s beauty and the show’s engaging storytelling, drawing comparisons to the success of “Crash Landing on You”.

Why Watch It?

Star-Studded Lead Pair

Kim Soo‑hyun and Kim Ji‑won bring both charisma and credibility.

Talented Team Behind the Scenes

Written by Park Ji‑eun, whose previous hits include “Crash Landing on You”.

Directed by Jang Young‑woo and Kim Hee‑won, known for hits like “Vincenzo” and “Bulgasal”.

Strong Production Values

High visuals, dramatic scenery, and top-tier music elevate the romantic drama.

Emotional Depth

Seamlessly blends corporate intrigue, rural life, marriage strains, and redemption arcs.

Global Appeal

A breakout phenomenon with international viewership and acclaim.

Final Thoughts

“Queen of Tears” delivers an emotionally charged, sophisticated rom-com-drama that resonates with both domestic and international audiences. It stands out for its chemistry, production scale, and narrative ambition – making it a standout among 2024 K‑dramas.

Where to Watch

Broadcast Schedule

Aired on tvN.

Streaming Access

• South Korea: TVING, Netflix.
• Globally: Netflix.

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